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News from the Mohawk Valley Charity Lunch Club: Issue 1
Greetings Mohawk Valley Charity Lunch Club Supporters!
As someone who has attended one of our many events over the years, we thought you would like to hear the latest news from the Club. This year we will be communicating with you on a regular basis via email and this newsletter, so you don’t miss any of our great events.
In this newsletter, we would like to share with you, information about:
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Annual Appeal
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New Leadership at the MVLC
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2020 Events
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Exciting New Plans for 2021
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Charity Review
Annual Appeal
In 2020 we made a tremendous effort to support our charities and we were successful. However, all the money raised this year has gone to meet our 2019 obligations. We still need to cover the 2020 gifts. To do that we need your help.
We have some amazing programs in the works for the club next year, but we need you support now to help give us a head start in achieving our $75,000 goal for 2021. If we are successful, we will be able to support all 12 charities with a gift for 2020 AND 2021.
We are asking all members and supporters of the club that believe in our mission of charity to consider making a gift of at least $100 before the end of the year to help ensure that we have a solid foundation going into 2021. For those that have already donated - thank you. If you wish to make a charitable gift to the club, 100% of which will go directly to our charities, please click HERE or on the large “Donate” button at the top of this page. Thank you for your continued support.
New Leadership at the MVLC
First, we would like to share with you some of the organizational changes and happenings at the club. After many years of faithful and tireless work, Dave Olney reached the end of his 3-year commitment and is stepping down as President. We cannot thank him and his wife Dana enough for their years of leadership, dedication, and fundraising efforts. Just recently, Dave was responsible for obtaining an extremely generous $10k gift from a private donor. Dave and Dana will continue to be members of the club and we look forward to seeing them at future events.
In his place, a new president and board of directors has been selected to take up the challenge of leading the club to even greater heights in the years to come. Ralph Stopiello (Founder & CEO) is excited to introduce the new board of directors: Kirk Evans (President), Todd Bailey, Gus De Traglia III, Nolan Ferris, Liz Fusco, Zach Haggas, Meredith Smith and Rob Wilson. As in years past, each board member will serve a 3-year term.
In coming newsletters, we will share with you the background of each of the directors, and the role they will be playing in the MVCLC. It is our goal to establish specific committees and to recruit new volunteers so that we can hold more events and ensure that the board is able to work with members to fundraise ever more efficiently and effectively. As you know, many hands make for light work.
We will also be developing a more formalized membership structure. This way, those that want to take a more active part in the MVCLC can have that opportunity to do so as active voting members.
2020 Activities
This year, due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, we held fewer events than usual. We still wanted to ensure that the charities we support received the funding they so desperately needed, and we had not yet fulfilled that promise for 2019. Despite the extraordinary circumstances with the Pandemic, the club rallied.
(Image gallery from past events below.)
Through events like the Harley Davidson Raffle, the Fall Ride & Drive and the large donation secured by Dave Olney, the club met its 2019 goal, giving $3,000 to the 12 organizations we regularly support, and even an extra $3,000 donation to another needy local charity.
The Fall Ride & Drive to Rustic Ridge Winery
The Fall Ride & Drive in October was an amazing success. Over 60 cars made the scenic road trip to the winery, where the riders and drivers were still able to social distance and have an amazing wood-fired pizza lunch outside. Alan Rosenblum’s Phaeton Motors hosted the event and created an amazing driving route to and from the winery. With a spectacular fall day, great food, cool cars and most of all, friends, we were able to raise $11,285. Without your help and generosity this would not have been possible. Thank you.
2021 Activities
We are even more optimistic about the possibilities in 2021. Our goal is to double the donations we raised last year. To accomplish that, we plan on having more events (COVID dependent) and work to expand the area that we reach to help encourage more donors and participants.
This year we will be hosting the Fall Cruise, our Auction for Action (probably online), several lunches with engaging speakers, another raffle and a special driving event that will knock your socks off.
2021 Charities
This year we will be carefully reviewing all the charities support, to ensure they are still a good fit. Each year we will review the charities and the active membership will vote to determine the recipients for this year’s donations.
Whenever possible we will ask the charities to come to a MVCLC event and share their story and mission with us. Last year we supported: The Utica Rescue Mission, Feed Our Vets, Pathfinder Village, The Kelberman Center, Abraham House, Believe 271, The Ride for Missing Children, Steven Swann, Herkimer Humane Society, Kurt Wyman Memorial Park, Joseph’s Experience and the Shalamar Foundation.
In future newsletters we will highlight some of these charities so that you can get to know them better and all the great work that they do.
In closing, 2021 is going to be an amazing year. With an energized board and membership, I know we can easily raise $75k to help our charities in a time when help is so desperately needed. If we all work together and make a commitment to donate a little bit of our time and resources, we can become a force for change for so many.
Happy Holidays,
Mohawk Valley Charity Lunch Club
PO Box 212, New York Mills, NY 13417
315-735-9918
MEET THE CHARITIES WE SUPPORT
Abraham House
Abraham House provides our terminally ill guests and their families a safe and loving home, with all the support needed for dignified end of life care, free of any financial burden.
Feed Our Vets
Feed Our Vets is a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization whose mission is to help Veterans in the United States, their spouses and children whose circumstances have left them on the battlefield of hunger, and to involve the public in fighting Veteran hunger.
Herkimer Humane Society
The Herkimer County Humane Society is a non-profit, 501c3 charitable organization dedicated to providing shelter and safe haven for stray dogs and cats, until their forever homes are found.
Joseph's Experience
Our mission is to enhance the quality of life of children, adults, and their families who are affected by severe medical conditions such as Cancer & Leukemia.
Kelberman Center
The Kelberman Center bears the name of a family committed to excellence. Dr. Michael Kelberman and his family are dedicated to the advancement of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
Kurt Wyman Park
It is the mission of our organization to assist the Town of Whitestown in the construction of a memorial park honoring the life of Oneida County Deputy Sheriff Kurt B. Wyman who was killed in the line of duty on June 7, 2011.
Pathfinder Village
Pathfinder Village is a community where people who have Down syndrome and other developmental disabilities discover their own value and talents, and share these gifts with others. Here, residents are valued for their abilities and contributions.
Rescue Mission Of Utica
The Rescue Mission serves individuals overcoming homelessness, abuse, addictions, and disabilities. Our programs provide safe lodging, food, clothing, case management, counseling, advocacy, education, referrals, spiritual and other supportive services.
Shalamar Foundation
The Shalamar Foundation is a 501(C)3 developed to instill confidence and hope in at risk youth in rural New York. Through monthly mentoring programs culminating in College Scholarship opportunities, we'll foster social and academic growth in children while providing the path to a brighter future.
Steven Swan Humane Society
The present day Stevens-Swan Humane Society evolved from a combination of efforts of hundreds of people before us. Taking care of animals that are surrendered, lost or unwanted is a large task, and the burden is overwhelming.
Believe 271
Ride For Missing Children
What started as a small group of bicyclists that hoped to raise awareness for the plight of one missing child has grown into the biggest annual fundraiser for The National Center For Missing & Exploited Children.
Our Mission is to provide financial assistance to volunteer firefighters, EMT's and members of ladies auxiliaries in Oneida and Herkimer Counties who suffer from a life-threatening illness, such as cancer.