Point B Realty just had the honor of presenting a check for $35,000 from our Martha’s Vineyard Teddy Bear Suite Fundraiser to the Martha’s Vineyard Boys & Girls Club for its new Healthy Happy Kids program or H2K as we like to call it.
Surrounded by dozens of kids at the Boys & Girls Club, and joined by our friends from the Harbor View Hotel, we presented the check to Executive Director Jessie Damroth. The money raised is enough to cover the entire cost of launching of H2K.
What Is H2K?
This new initiative is addressing the problem of childhood hunger on Martha’s Vineyard. It’s a hot button topic on this Island known to be the playground for the rich and famous, the amount of children that are hungry is staggering, and it feels wonderful to be doing something to help.
One in four Island kids are eligible for, and receive, free or reduced breakfast and lunch at school. Hundreds of elementary school aged children from all six towns attend the Martha’s Vineyard Boys & Girls Club’s After School Program and participate in H2K.
With Healthy Happy Kids, the kids at the Club receive an after school snack that is more like a meal. The snacks change daily, and are focused on being nutritious and delicious. Knowing that some of the kids’ last meal could have been as early as 11 a.m. at school, and that dinner might not even happen or be something insubstantial, the new food program being provided by the Club is essential.
So many kids need and and rely on this. Another great thing about H2K is that it is FREE! The Club provides the food for free. This new program requires $35,000 to run, and the Martha’s Vineyard Teddy Bear Suite has raised enough money to underwrite the entire program!
This is a pinnacle year for our month long Teddy Bear Suite holiday fundraiser, where holiday memories are made. Knowing that so many people supported us and this cause is truly amazing. What a gift to be able to provide something so basic yet so necessary to so many Island children.
Over the six years since we launched the Martha’s Vineyard Teddy Bear Suite Fundraiser, the drive has now raised more than $85,000 for the Martha’s Vineyard Boys & Girls Club.
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And while we’re celebrating and enjoying this great success, we know the work is not done. The cost of Healthy Happy Kids is going to continue to rise as more and more kids utilize the Club for after school care. However, childhood hunger is something we need to work on and do our part to eliminate.
We want to thank everyone, and there are a lot of people to thank, who worked so hard to make the Martha’s Vineyard Teddy Bear Suite fundraiser possible, and to all who contributed. Raising $35,000 is something to be really proud of, and shows just how generous our community is.
To find out more about the Martha’s Vineyard Teddy Bear Suite, visit mvteddybearsuite.com.
You can learn more about the Martha’s Vineyard Boys & Girls Club on Facebook. And speaking of social media, don’t forget to “Like” us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter, Linked In, Google+, Pinterest and Youtube.
Also, it’s time to vote for all your Island faves, and hope you’ll consider the Martha’s Vineyard Teddy Bear Suite for Best Holiday Event and Point B Realty for Best Real Estate Agency again this year. Click here to vote today.