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Philanthropy has struggled the past couple of years, but local organizations are feeling optimistic. We profile 10 charities, as well as give tips from successful development directors from local organizations on how to raise funds and run events
Years ago, we profiled 14 unknown or underexposed charities doing some fantastic work. Here are ten more, in no particular order, we think you should know about…
RaRa
Situated in the mountains of Laganav, an island off the coast of Haiti, Matènwa is a small, rural village where poverty, deforestation, and famine threaten the community. Not only must women and children travel miles simply to collect drinking water, but there is a constant struggle to afford necessities like food, fuel, and medicine. Matènwa, however, does not lack creativity. Several years ago, Ellen LeBow, a Wellfleet artist, helped the Atis Fanm Matènwa (Kreyol for the “Women Artists of Matènwa”) sell colorfully decorated silk scarves in the United States to raise money for their community.
The women use silk from the United States as canvases and paint them with pictures from Haitian history, local mythology, Bible scenes, Haitian flora and fauna, and native Vodou images. In 2009, the Atis Fanm opened their first nonprofit storefront called RaRa in Wellfleet. Here, with LeBow’s help, the artists sell their work, and proceeds are used to help the families of Matènwa. Part of the earnings is also reinvested to purchase new supplies for the artwork. New this year to the shop is a collection called “Tabita’s Dolls.” These handmade dolls are crafted by young daughters of two of the women artists using leftover beads, scarf scraps, old buttons, thread, and real hair. Part of the sales of the dolls is given directly back to the girls. Someday they hope to have “real” dolls of their own.
What Can I Do?
Visit RaRa, located at 55 Commercial Street in Wellfleet, and purchase a doll or a scarf, or visit www.artmatenwa.org.
They will be holding their yearly fundraiser “Merci d’Avance” on November 12 at Wellfleet Preservation Hall.
Allegretto
The ensemble Allegretto developed a program called Music in the Schools, which acts as an outreach group to bring instruments to the schools of Cape Cod. Since 1997 the musicians have brought pianos, mandolins, violins, flutes, cellos, guitars, bagpipes, and trumpets into schools to show how the instruments sound alone and together.
A number of locals are involved in the group, including the members of the renowned folk-pop trio Tripping Lilly. The Allegretto musicians hope to create lively discussions about music and their instruments while bringing into play other academic subjects such as science and mathematics.—Stephanie Kapinos
What Can I Do?
Ask leaders at your local school to bring the group in for a demonstration.
Chatham Angel Fund
Those Nickersons! They are proud to support a local charity founded by one of their own, Ginny Nickerson. The Chatham Angel Fund gives to less fortunate children. Along with private monetary and in-kind donations, the organization provides shelter needs, clothing, and services. In one instance, they paid the bill for an entire funeral for a small child and outfitted the family for the service.
Ginny teamed up with Pat Vreeland, a former school nurse, to raise funds through an annual Christmas ornament, usually designed by a child and sold through Ginny’s gallery. Last year, the gallery also featured JJ King’s “Wild Chatham” poster and other beautiful photographs of humpback whales. All proceeds from both the ornament and photographs go directly to the Chatham Angel Fund.
What Can I Do?
Stop by Ginny’s gallery at 618 Main Street in Chatham and purchase an ornament or a JJ King photograph.
The Float Foundation
In his last semester of college, Drew Piekarski dedicated the majority of his time and hard work, with lots of help from his brother Joshua, to organize a charity. But this charity is quite different from most. The Float Foundation raises funds by putting the “fun” back in fundraising. By holding events that are attractive to younger donors, the two have been able to successfully target a demographic that statistically tends to give less annually to charities. They organize a summertime float down Scorton Creek and a gala event as a way to donate, celebrate and remind supporting participants of what they are so fortunate to have—good health, friends, community support, and a beautiful island on which to host such activities.
Foundations they have raised money for include The Melanoma Foundation of New England, Depression Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) of Boston, and this year, The Friends of Jaclyn, a non-profit, charitable organization that improves the quality of life for children with pediatric brain tumors and their families. For Drew and Josh, the inspiration continues to come from those they are supporting. “Whether it was listening to Mrs. Kohl talk about her daughter Glenna, [a Cape Cod lifeguard who passed away from melanoma at the age of 26], the smiles from members, friends and family at a DBSA meeting, or having the entire Murphy family from Friends of Jaclyn come to ‘The Float,’ we are inspired by their stories and perseverance,” says Drew.
What Can I Do?
To become a volunteer or support the summer Float in 2012, email info@thefloatfoundation.com or visit www.thefloatfoundation.com
My Cinderella Dreams
Often associated with celebration, strengthening relationships, and simply having fun, prom night should mean happy memories for all who want to go. Sadly, this night of glitz and glamour has become too expensive for some. Last year, the average family with a prom attendee spent $807 on the occasion, between purchasing attire, shoes, tickets, accessories, limousines, photographs, and flowers. Believing that prom is a rite of passage and money restrictions should not be the determining factor for attendance, Amanda Person started My Cinderella Dreams Project, a non-profit organization which provides prom gowns to local teens unable to afford one.
She launched the project at her own high school and was able to give out six gowns in that first year. Today, she and her mother, Cindy, run the program annually, collecting gowns from donors and then distributing them to high school junior and senior girls in need. The charity, with the support of community bridal stores, senior centers, churches, schools, and other local businesses, has since provided hundreds of gowns. Volunteers not only help organize donations and events, but also assist the girls in choosing the right gown. This past year, My Cinderella Dreams Project opened a temporary Prom Boutique at Centerville’s Wicked Dance Academy in early April. With just a note from a teacher, guidance counselor, or clergy member stating the need for the charity’s assistance, any girl can be one step closer to experiencing a magical prom.
What Can I Do?
Do you have an unused gown that is in good condition? Bring it to Wicked Dance Academy in Centerville, or call Amanda or Cindy Person at 508-292-0729 to coordinate a drop-off.
Animal Rescue Front
You may know of IFAW, an international animal welfare organization headquartered in Yarmouth. But you probably haven’t heard of ARF, which has substantial Cape Cod ties as well. It was founded in the wake of Hurricane Katrina by then Eastham resident Chris McLaughlin, who traveled to help in Louisiana and Mississippi. Prior to this, she had no experience rescuing animals with the exception of saving stray neighborhood cats.
ARF has been a first responder to natural and man made disasters and the founders hope that one day it will provide a safe haven sanctuary for feral cats and kittens, pit bulls and other misrepresented breeds, factory farm survivors and special needs companion animals. ARF is “committed to end the senseless euthanization of healthy, adoptable animals in the United States” through initiatives including transport, education, adoption, and spay/neuter. Katrina Boucher, who is owner of Cape Cod Dog and has adopted an ARF-rescued terrier mix, and Hilda Neily, a Provincetown gallery owner, are ardent supporters.
What Can I Do?
Visit the Animal Rescue League of Boston’s Brewster shelter and adopt a pet. Chances are some of your choices will be those made possible by efforts of the ARF. Or contribute at their website www.animalrescuefront.org.
Nauset Neighbors
The aging process stops for no one. Before individuals check into assisted living or a nursing home, they go through a period where they can live independently with a little help shopping, getting to medical appointments, socializing with friends, or managing things around their house. In this increasingly busy world, it is not always possible to call on family and friends for help. That is where Nauset Neighbors steps in, assisting seniors with these tasks, either through their expansive volunteer network or a vetted vendor list.
There is no office. When you call 508-514-7067 it is forwarded to the home of their call managers on a rotating basis. This 501(c)3 started serving Brewster, Orleans, Eastham and Wellfleet earlier this year, and service to Harwich and Chatham began recently.
What Can I Do?
If you would like to be a driver, an on-call handyman, or the ever important call manager, go to www.nausetneighbors.org and click on “Become a Volunteer.”
Single Volunteers of Cape Cod
Founded in 2007, Single Volunteers of Cape Cod provides community service while also fostering social interaction for its members and the people they serve. The organization builds relationships with Cape Cod’s non-profit organizations to help fill their volunteer needs and quotas while at the same time sparking relationships between Cape Cod singles.
Single Volunteers was started by Ann Lusk in Burlington, Vermont in 1995 and now has approximately 30 chapters in the U.S., Canada, and Costa Rica. Single Volunteers of Cape Cod is affiliated with the national organization, but is a stand-alone group that organizes its own projects and develops its own membership practices. Volunteers for Single Volunteers of Cape Cod must not be married, engaged or in a committed relationship.
What Can I Do?
If you are single, go to www.svcapecod.net and sign up to volunteer.
Dare to Be Alive Foundation Inc.
There are currently over 101,000 patients in the United States who are on the waiting list for an organ donation. In 1992, 23-year-old Deanna Arnold was added to this list when she was diagnosed with acute liver failure, fell into a coma, and was given just 48 hours to live. Arnold was lucky enough to receive a liver transplant in time to give her a second chance at life. Though she suffered from traumatic brain injury that severely affected her memory, causing her to relearn everything from how to tie her shoes to how to read, Arnold decided to devote her new life to helping other patients of organ donations.
In the summer of 2004, Arnold founded Dare to Be Alive Foundation Inc. What started then as a free overnight summer camp for children with organ transplants has now grown into a nonprofit dedicated to providing financial, mentoring, and social support to transplant patients and their families. The charity also offers public speakers for schools, clubs, and organizations. In a letter that she shares on her charity’s website, Arnold says, “I have founded the D/B/A Foundation Inc. to share my story and inspire others, especially children to achieve their goals. I dare you to live your life!”
What Can I Do?
Attend Dare to Be Alive’s second annual Fire of Life silent and live auction on November 5 at the New Seabury Country Club.
Cape Cod Cares for Our Troops
In 2005, then 12-year-old Dylan DeSilva started putting together and sending care packages to troops in Iraq and Afghanistan on a weekly basis. He wanted to find a way to honor soldiers for their service, dedication and sacrifices to our country. Six years later, 18-year-old DeSilva and his mom Michelle still toil for the cause and this Brewster-based non-profit now sends items to schools, orphanages, medical and dental clinics in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Nearly 2000 Christmas care packages were sent last year alone and more than 10,000 packages have been sent overall.
What Can I Do?
For drop-off locations and suggested donations, go to www.capecod4thetroops.com. The organization does a big push each holiday season.
