Community of Friends Passing the Charitable Torch

Since 2003, Community of Friends (CoF), a volunteer-based, charitable organization in Marblehead, has annually spearheaded two charitable drives: a Back-to-School Backpack & School Supplies Drive and the Holiday Stocking Drive. CoF announces that they are passing the torch to another local, all-volunteer organization, SPUR,to carry on these two events.

For the past 12 years, thousands of children-in-need have benefited from CoF’s charitable drives, whether it be receiving a new backpack stuffed with essential school supplies or an oversized, handmade holiday stocking filled with warmth, love and cheer.

Local area families, retired couples, business colleagues, mother’s groups, Girl Scout troops, sports teams and numerous individuals have continually made it a holiday and back-to-school tradition to sponsor and shop for a child less fortunate. Others have supported the drives by donating fabric, cutting and sewing stockings, throwing birthday parties, collecting school supplies, donating office space (Glover Property Management, the Dolphin Yacht Club and St. Michaels Church), becoming a drop off location (Mud Puddle Toys, Marblehead Bank, Raveis Real Estate, LVO YMCA). AllMarblehead.com has continually spread our message and both the Old North Church and National Bank have supported with generous monetary donations. In addition, at every event, many volunteers and families contribute by filling each backpack and stocking, ensuring the child receives appropriate items.

These events have provided support to real heroes in our community – the numerous dedicated organizations who do such good in our own and surrounding communities by providing assistance to families and children-in-need. CoF is honored to have met so many wonderful people who dedicate numerous hours to ensuring these children are not forgotten. These organizations include the Marblehead Food Pantry, Marblehead METCO Program, Marblehead Counseling Center, KIPP Academy, The Plummer Home in Salem, Department of Children and Family Services in Lynn, Centerboard in Lynn, Lynch Van Otterloo YMCA, Salem Academy Charter School, Horace Mann School in Salem, the Family & Children Services of Greater Lynn and the Ford Elementary School
in Lynn.

Community of Friends Co-Founders, John and Kathy Wilder, reflect on this time of transition with pride and emotion. They co-founded the organization in 2003 with Sally Sands, Margo Steiner and Margaret Morey-Reuner. The mission of the original team has continued to be the main focus – to provide practical necessities and outreach services to our neighbors in need while encouraging volunteerism and philanthropy within the local community. The organization’s other goal is to make it easy for others to give back, and to make it a personal experience by knowing the child’s first name, age, favorite color, etc.

Over the years, Community of Friends has continued to grow by working with dedicated and inspirational board members that include: Maggie Raftus, Sue Cooper, Lori Dobson, Mary Starrett, Meghan Schwartz, Maurice Richard, Alec Richard, George Hartling, Joanne Lewandowski, Stephanie Moio and Jocelyn Cook. It is this group that held Kathy and John accountable to the mission and vision.

But it is time for John and Kathy to pass the reigns to others and they are thrilled to hand these events over to another local, inspirational group – SPUR and their ever-growing group of volunteers. Jocelyn Cook, founder of SPUR, has served on the Board of Community of Friends for the past 4 years and fully understands the effort and commitment needed to make the annual drives successful.

“When John and I began discussing next steps for Community of Friends, passing the torch to SPUR was a great option and brought us a lot of excitement and peace knowing Jocelyn’s familiarity with the drive”, said Kathy. Our understanding of the dedication and commitment SPUR has
to the community at large - and mission to engage individuals in volunteerism while working with an array of opportunities to SPUR good deeds- made our consideration of SPUR easy, she went on to say. John and Kathy see this as a bittersweet moment. They have met so many wonderful people along the way who have inspired them to continue the tradition of the drives. When they hear their 6-year-old daughter make a proclamation such as “It is better to give then to have!” it gives them a source of pride and motivation to keep community service a part of their lives. In a time when so many have and so many others need, it felt right trying to connect the two.

John, Kathy and Erin will continue to be involved with the drives and look forward to participating in more SPUR events. Erin has already asked when she will get a tag of another first grade girl so she can start shopping to fill the stocking. Inquiries about the upcoming holiday drive can be made to SPUR. Information about sign-up, volunteer opportunities to help check and distribute stockings, and other news will also be relayed on the SPUR website, newsletter and Facebook page.

John and Kathy send their thanks to the people and organizations mentioned above and the hundreds of volunteers in the community who have been the heart of Community of Friends.

“We are so excited for what is to come and ask those who participated with us for many years to join us in participating with SPUR by continuing to ensure these children and young adults are not left behind”, adds John.

To learn more about SPUR, visit www.spur.community or join them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/SPURCommunity/