When I first started this journey of doing a charity blog, I had been overwhelmed with joy to watch my calendar fill up in February with events booked through the month of JUNE! It made my heart so happy to be able to not only tell the stories behind so many charities throughout New England, but to be able to give them something through my work that they could then use to help spread the word of all the good they are doing in our local communities. Yet very quickly, all of that changed as one by one I watched emails pour in with cancellations and postponements of the events that many times serve as an organization’s main source of revenue for the year. I thought to myself, “What are they going to do?”
In these past few weeks, I’ve watched as those responsible for organizing such major events have learned to pivot in this time of crisis. From virtual evenings of giving to online auctions and now, even a social distancing dash, it’s clear that each organization’s dedication to their mission is the driving force behind such innovation. At FMP Productions, the idea for a “Social Distancing Dash” stemmed from a passion for their charities and in an effort to find a way to keep them going when the rest of the world has stopped.
How does the “Dash” work? By signing up on their website, donors were able to contribute any amount they felt comfortable with starting at $25 to pledge to race. Then, from Friday May 1-Sunday, May 3 it was time to mask up or find a remote location in which to run and get out there!
For organizations like the David Ortiz Fund, President Hallie Lorber says this dash is critical to keeping their cause running as their major fundraising events including the Boston Marathon and a golf tournament were cancelled. “For us specifically, we help children who are in need of pediatric cardiac care. A lot of our kids are at high risk during this time-so they can’t get to the hospital to get the services that they need, they can’t have follow up for the surgeries that they have had, so a lot of them don’t have access not only to medical care but to their medication,” Lorber explained as she described the David Ortiz Fund’s mission. “We are very dependent, like other charities on hosting in person events, and we are struggling for a way to raise money to be able to provide the services. The Social Distance Dash is a way for us to supplement some of those events, and gives donors the opportunity to do something good while doing something good for themselves by getting outside, getting some fresh air, exercising, all while adhering to the social distancing policies.”
At the Bourque Family Foundation, this struggle is all too understood. On Wednesday evening, the Foundation was scheduled to have its annual Gala that brings in a large portion of revenue for the year meant to go towards Pete Frates’ mission of supporting ALS care & research. “With what we’re going through right now, we’re just holding tight. Everybody’s in the same boat,” Ray Bourque explains. Yet with this unique opportunity, Ray says he’s been excited to get outside and have the opportunity to bring support back to their foundation- and yes, Ray himself participated! “We’re challenging everybody to get out there and have a bike ride, walk a mile, run a mile-walk 5 miles!” He and his wife, Ray said, had been walking three to five miles a day and are more than ready to get out there of course wearing a custom-made Boston Bruins mask!
Yet while they may have different missions, the overall message that was resonated throughout talks with both Hallie and Ray remained the same in support of all the charities benefitting from the #SocialDistanceDash. “Regardless of who you’re gonna donate to, just be active and get involved. A small donation goes a long way.”
To watch the full video from the #SocialDistanceDash, see below. Don’t forget to Like & Subscribe on Youtube to keep up with my latest content!
Emmalyn Reid 