Archives for May 2018

 

This week for feel-good Friday, we want to feature an amazing event taking place this weekend, courtesy of Make a Difference Project founder, Chris Zizza. Chris, along with Lynn Bucossi and Kevin Ryan, are co-chairs of Friends of the Valley, an organization that provides scholarships and grants to deserving students and community members of Deerfield Valley, Vermont. This Sunday, Friends of the Valley is hosting a First Responders Appreciation Day to honor all of the hard-working first responders in the area. The event, taking place at North Star Bowl in Wilmington Vermont, will include food, bowling, music courtesy of The Peter Miles Band and much more!

Besides being an event to thank the first responders for their service, Friends of the Valley is also raffling off some exciting prizes to raise money for Deerfield Valley Rescue. Prizes include:

• Two tickets to the Jimmy Buffet Concert at Fenway Park on August 9^th and an overnight stay at the Omni Parker House (2 sets available)
• Tickets to a Red Sox/Yankees Game (At Fenway Park)
• Tickets to a Red Sox/Yankees Game (At Yankee Stadium)

Raffle tickets will be on sale at the event and at the following locations:

• Dots Diner, Wilmington, VT
• Dots North, Dover, VT
• Sonny’s Cup and Saucer, Wilmington, VT
• Online at http://donate.friendsofdeerfieldvalley.org/item/jimmy-buffet-raffle-tickets

Raffle tickets are 3 for $5, 20 for $20 and 150 for $100. They will be on sale through July 9^th and the winners will be announced on July 11^th. Good luck!

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As we prepare for the long weekend, let us not forget the true meaning of Memorial Day. On Monday, we remember all the brave men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. While we truly believe in spreading good news and feel-good stories, we also know just how important it is to honor and support our troops.

This memorial day, please consider making a donation to the Gary Sinise Foundation. Their mission is to honor our defenders, veterans, first responders, their families and those in need through unique programs designed to entertain, educate, inspire, strengthen and build communities.

To make a donation or find out more about the Gary Sinise Foundation, click HERE.

Happy Monday everybody! We hope you’re enjoying this beautiful day!  If you are looking to get involved in making a difference, here are some local events happening this week!

Cocktails and Charity

Tuesday, May 22nd

6:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Central Wharf Co.

160 Milk Street, Boston

Join the Women’s Lunch Place Young Professionals Committee for cocktails, and networking at their Cocktails and Charity event. There will be appetizers, raffle prizes, and they will be accepting travel size toiletries, socks, bras, underwear or a donation for the women of the shelter as admission. Women’s Lunch Place is a daytime shelter for women struggling with homelessness and poverty, join them and learn more about their important work.

For more information, click here.

 

Bay Cove Human Services Changing Lives Gala

Wednesday, May 23

6:00 pm to 9:00 pm

Renaissance Boston Waterfront Hotel

606 Congress St., Boston

Join Bay Cove as they proudly host their 2018 Changing Lives Gala, a fantastic evening benefiting their agency and programs. The Changing Lives Gala is Bay Cove’s largest annual fundraiser, and one of the agency’s biggest nights of the year. The evening brings to life personal expressions of courage, determination, and achievement that have been experienced through the life-changing programs of Bay Cove Human Services, and celebrates the accomplishments of those they are privileged to serve.

To purchase tickets, click here.

 

City Year Boston’s Starry Night Gala

Thursday, May 24th

6:00 pm to 11:00 pm

The Westin Boston Waterfront

425 Summer Street, Boston

What happens when a child finds their spark? Find out at City Year’s annual Starry Night Gala, where Boston’s young leaders will share the illuminating power of mentorship.

For more information on sponsorship and tickets, click here

SAFE Coalition Presents: Improbable Players

Thursday, May 24th

7:00 pm to 10:00 pm

The Orpheum Theater

1 School Street, Foxboro

In keeping with its mission to combat the opioid epidemic, the S.A.F.E. Coalition is bringing Improbable Players to the community. Their troupe of actors in recovery will perform End of the Line – a play that shines a light on the crisis impacting our community. It’s a rare opportunity to see this work in a truly public setting. This event is free and open to all.

To register, click here.

Pups N Pints Boston

Sat, May 26th

1:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Battery Park | Bar & Patio

33 Batterymarch Street Boston, MA 02110

Interested in bringing your pup or hanging out with other pups at the bar? Grab a ticket to Pups N Pints and donate to the Animal Rescue League of Boston. You’ll also be entered into three raffles, get professional photos with your dog, and receive one craft beer with drink specials all day and more!

For more information and to purchase tickets, click here.

There you have it, now it’s up to you to jump on these chances to make a difference in your community and have a little fun at the same time!

 

TGIF! With another week in the books, let’s send you off into the weekend with these top three feel-good stories of the week!

Back to School

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iqy-OfQZkeI&w=560&h=315]

Via CBS News

Officer Rob Pitts, from the Terre Haute police department, was killed in the line of duty earlier this month. When his 5-year-old son, Dakota asked his mother if an officer could take him to school on his first day back, local police stepped up to the plate. About 70 officers formed an honor guard for Dakota as he arrived at school, wearing his father’s shield around his neck.

The Right Place at the Right Time

Via WCVB Boston

A police officer assigned to the K-9 unit was stuck in traffic on Mass Ave last week when he was flagged down by a terrified mother. The mother said her 3-week-old son had stopped breathing.  The officer cleared the child’s airway and the baby regained consciousness. Talk about being in the right place, at the right time!

A Wonderful Mother’s Day

Via Fox 25 Boston

Brenda Pearson is a waitress from Roland Arkansas. This past Mother’s Day she was working at the 4 Star Diner when a truck driver, David Platt, ordered a cheeseburger to go. The two got to talking about life and her kids. On his way out, David left Brenda a $1,000 tip! He got the impression she was having a hard time and wanted to help her out. As if that wasn’t enough, an hour later he returned and left a SECOND $1,000 tip! Thank you, David, for making sure Brenda had the Mother’s Day she deserved!

There you have it, your top three feel-good stories of the week! Now go use this as inspiration to get out there and make a difference. You never know who might need it the most.

For many children across the country and around the world, going to camp is the highlight of their summer. Even as adults, we look back fondly on summers spent swimming in lakes, playing sports, doing arts and crafts; all while making fast friends with fellow campers. For children with disabilities, sadly, traditional summer camps have never been a viable option. Many camps are mostly outdoors and therefore not handicap accessible and there just aren’t enough counselors to provide them with the special care and attention that they need.

However, on the beautiful island of Martha’s Vineyard lives an even more beautiful place with a simple mission: to provide a residential vacation camp for people with disabilities. Camp Jabberwocky, as it’s called, was started in the summer of 1953 by British speech therapist Helen “Hellcat” Lamb. Ms. Lamb, saddened by the way people with disabilities were treated at the time, decided to take children from the Fall River Cerebral Palsy Training Center to her small cottage on the Vineyard so that they could get out of the city and enjoy summers on the beach. She also saw it as a break for the parents, whose lives revolved around their children’s care.

Helen “Hellcat” Lamb

Known originally as the Martha’s Vineyard Cerebral Palsy Camp, Camp Jabberwocky is now the longest running residential camp for those with disabilities and hosts people with Down Syndrome, spina bifida, autism, blindness, deafness, brain injury and all other mental, psychological and physical challenges. Each summer, from the end of June to the end of August, the camp hosts upwards of 120 campers, who stay between one to four weeks. There is no age limit at Camp Jabberwocky; campers can continue to come back every summer for the rest of their lives. It is an overnight camp, with campers staying in cabins that are fully handicap-accessible and a 1:1 camper-counselor ratio, ensuring that each camper is given the full attention and care that they need.

                

Daily camp activities include things like horseback riding, arts & crafts, boating, biking, movie nights, and much more. The staff, who are all volunteers, seek to foster a small, family-like community where the campers can enjoy activities and experiences that are safe, empowering, exciting and fun. Staff members keep families up-to-date with camper’s daily activities on their blog, which can be found HERE.

         

Camp Jabberwocky relies on the kindness of others to continue their incredible work. The cost of maintaining the camp exceeds $500,000 each summer and although tuition is $1,450 per camper per week, families are only required to pay what they can. No one is ever turned away because they can’t afford it. If you are interested in volunteering or making a donation, please visit their website HERE.

The camp also hosts fundraisers and other events to help keep the camp up and running. The next event is the 4^th Annual “The Jabberwocky” Fishing Tournament taking place on June 22^nd from 7:30am-9:00pm at the Cape Cod Maritime Museum. If you are interested in participating or would like to donate your boat for the day, please click HERE.

Happy Make a Difference Monday!

Here are five great opportunities to get out there and make a difference this week.

Nantucket Wine and Food Festival

Wednesday, May 16–Sunday, May 20 (All Day)

Multiple Locations

Between May 16^th and 20^th, Nantucket will offer tastings, seminars, lunches, and dinners. Join them as they host award-winning restaurants and chefs, world-renowned wineries and vintners, esteemed sommeliers & presenters along with wine & food enthusiasts for this collection of over 70 prestigious events, held around the Nantucket island. The Nantucket Wine & Food Festival Charitable Foundation is the charitable arm of the annual island festival. Proceeds benefit a variety of island non-profits and community organizations, with a focus on supporting Nantucket Island youth.

For a full schedule and to purchase tickets, visit: https://www.nantucketwinefestival.com/

 

Federation for Children with Special Needs Gala 2018: Celebrating Every Child

Friday, May 18

6:00pm-10:00 pm

Westin Waterfront Hotel

425 Summer St. Boston, MA

The Federation’s annual fundraiser, Celebrating Every Child, will celebrate the organization’s many accomplishments with a goal of raising $200,000 to support their work. This year’s fundraiser will have a special “Kentucky Derby” theme and will include a silent auction and reception, dinner, and an awards ceremony to recognize an outstanding group of honorees who have made significant contributions to improving the lives of children with disabilities.

Click HERE to purchase tickets.

 

Big Climb Boston

Saturday, May 19th

8:00am – 12:00pm

99 High Street Boston, MA

Big Climb Boston is a one-of-a-kind fundraiser, giving participants the opportunity to test themselves as they climb 32 or 64 flights of stairs to the top of 99 High in Boston.  All of this climbing eventually leads to a post-climb party at the top with music, food, and great views of the city! Proceeds from this event support The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

For more information click here.

 

NAMIWalks Massachusetts: Walking for Mental Health

Saturday, May 19

9:00am-1:00pm

Artesani Park

1255 Soldiers Field Boston, MA

This Saturday, join NAMI Mass (The National Alliance on Mental Illness of Massachusetts) as they celebrate their 15^th Annual Walkathon to help raise awareness and combat the stigma surrounding mental illness.

For more information and to register, click HERE.

 

Boston’s Wounded Veterans Run Hosts 8th Motorcycle Fundraising

Sunday, May 20

8:30am-2:30pm

Harley Davidson Boston

649 Squire Rd. Revere, MA

Join Boston’s Wounded Veterans Run this Sunday as they embark on their 8th annual motorcycle charity ride. Over 6,000 motorcycles are expected to participate in a 90-minute motorcycle ride to support Captain Greg Galeazzi, Sergeant Brandon Korona, Sergeant Peter Rooney and Corporal Brian Johnston.

For more information click here.

 

 

You’ve made it through another week! Let’s say goodbye to the work week and hello to the weekend with these three feel-good stories.

A Secretary’s Secret

Via: The New York Times

Sylvia Bloom was a legal secretary from Brooklyn who had worked for the same law firm for 67 years. She retired at the age of 96 and died soon after. Family and friends were shocked to find that she had left behind a fortune of over $8 million dollars. How did she acquire such a fortune on a secretary’s salary? One of her duties as secretary and personal assistant to the lawyers at her firm included purchasing stocks for them. Being the savvy women that she was, Mrs. Bloom decided for each stock her bosses bought, she would buy one for herself. What did she do with this $8 million? She left it all to be donated towards college scholarships for disadvantaged students! Cheers to you Sylvia Bloom, your legacy will be making a difference in children’s lives for years to come.

A Blessing in Disguise

Via: USA Today

Specialist Brooks Lindsey was rushing home from training in Fort Bliss, Texas to witness the birth of his baby girl. Back home in Brandon, Mississippi, his wife was having an emergency induction. The day before, the doctors had said the baby was under stress and they were going to get the delivery going. There was no way Brooks would be back in time to watch the birth but as luck would have it, his flight was delayed and he was able to FaceTime his mom to watch the entire birth. His fellow passengers rejoiced with him and soon he was off to fall in love with his new daughter!

Uber Rob

Via: CTV News

Uber Rob to the rescue! While record floods are shutting down highways and trapping people in their homes in New Brunswick, Canada, Rob Dekany has become a local hero. He has been consistently ferrying seven passengers at a time from areas without access roads, free of charge. He’s even created a makeshift schedule posted at his pick up location. Thanks for making a difference Uber Rob!

There you have it, your top three feel-good stories of the week. We hope these have inspired you to go out into the world and make a difference!