Here's what we've accomplished to date:
Chui!
Brick placed at the newly created Memorial Grove at Framingham State University:
We donated the sewing machine we bought for Sharon while she was getting her Bachelor's Degree in Merchandising (Fashion and Interior Design) at Framingham State University, TO Framingham State's Fashion and Merchandising Program.. Warms my heart that students will see this message from time to time..
|
Created a permanent scholarship at Framingham State University titled the "Celebrating Sharon Marie Gath Scholarship", awarded to students in the Fashion Design and Retailing program with a concentration in Merchandising or the Art and Music program. We continue to build this scholarship so that more money can be awarded to a deserving student (raised over $84,000 to date!).
Created the FIRST fully endowed scholarship at the Epilepsy Foundation of New England titled the "Celebrating Sharon Gath Campership". This annual (perpetual) scholarship in Sharon's name will send kids to Purple Camp, an overnight summer camp experience for kids who have epilepsy. Current value of the endowment is slightly over $37,000! We also help their families with funds to help defray the cost of supporting a child with a major health issue.
We award two $1,000 annual scholarships to the Red Wing Roots Festival Academy. We fund students to attend the music camp that precedes the Red Wing Roots Festival every summer AND purchase a brand new instrument to give to that child to keep for their very own.
Donated over $6,500 to send six children/young adults to The Purple Camp, an overnight camp for kids with epilepsy (camps in MA, Maine and now in New Hampshire), Summers 2014 and 2015, and supported someone with epilepsy in a job internship (via the EFNE).
Donated money to name TWO service dogs from the NEADS Organization, a non-profit agency that trains and places service dogs with people dealing with a wide variety of disabilities (meet Chui and Gertie!)
Raised monies to purchase and place a memorial bench at Sharon's favorite eating establishment near her grandparent's retirement home in Maine/NH (Poor People's Pub)
Placed a brick in Sharon's honor/memory at Buddy Dog Humane Society (shelter and adoption center for dogs and cats) located in Sudbury, MA
|
Gertie!
Red Wing Roots Academy
with The Steel Wheels
I also do many little 'pay it forward' things in honor of my amazing Sharon. She was a beautiful spirit who judged no one. These random acts make me smile and think of her in the way she deserves to be remembered and honored.
Our first fundraiser funded the planting of a perpetual flower bed at her resting place at the Newton Cemetery
|