Hope for the Holidays

 

Tomorrow is Giving Tuesday, an international day of giving that inspires hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity! There are so many wonderful causes to choose from when it comes to where you want to donate. I love to spread my donations around knowing that when you donate even $10 to a cause it can make a huge difference as others do the same.

Voices of Hope Boston and Victory Programs and Victory Programs ReVision Urban Farm are two causes near and dear to my heart. I hope after reading about these two programs, you will find it in your heart to make them part of your Giving Tuesday or any day of the week donations during this holiday season.

VOICES OF HOPE BOSTON

Voices of Hope Boston is a registered, not-for-profit, 501(c)(3) organization with more than 150 active volunteer members who share a passion for the performing arts and a desire to join the fight against cancer by raising awareness and funds for cancer research.

Their inspirational performers, whose lives have all been affected in some way by cancer, share stories of hope, loss, and courage through song, dance, and testimonials, allowing for an intimate and inspiring look at our collective fight against cancer.

To that end, Voices Of Hope dedicates its performances and additional fundraising efforts to this life-changing cause. They are on a march to a million; with a goal to raise at least $1 million dollars for cancer research. Since 2009, Voices of Hope has donated $836,000 dollars to cancer research and over a half a million dollars directly to the Termeer Center for Targeted Therapies at the MGH Cancer Center.  From 2009 to 2011, Voices of Hope supported the Belfer Institute for Applied Cancer Sciences at The Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. In 2013, Voices of Hope began supporting the Henri and Belinda Termeer Center for Targeted Therapies  and continue that support.

Without being able to do their annual performances, Voices of Hope lost their main source of fundraising. They have gotten quite creative at finding ways to continue raising money. Tomorrow is the kickoff of their Virtual Gala, "Dancing in the Rain: A Musical Celebration of Resilience and Hope." You can get your virtual ticket by making a donation of any amount and visit their fantastic array of Silent Auction Items by following this link. The Silent Auction ends at 7pm on December 1st and the show runs through December 31st.

“Voices of Hope is fighting the good fight in a remarkable way: raising funds to help cure cancer, and doing it with a song in their great-big collective heart.  Please donate if you can, and help this incredible company of caring & talented human beings help those struggling with cancer.  And enjoy their beautiful music.”  Sean Allan Krill – Tony nominated actor “Jagged Little Pill” who also donated an Original Broadway Cast signed poster from Jagged Little Pill.

After bringing over 50 members of VoH to support Broadway being back, Sean came to Schubert Alley to meet with the group (masks removed only briefly for photo ops.) Here are Sean and Greg Chastain, President and Founder of VoH with Ed Siegel, Vice President; his wife Dana, Executive Artistic Director; Beth Consoli, Director of Membership, and Jean Chastain, Treasurer.

 

VICTORY PROGRAMS AND VICTORY PROGRAMS REVISION URBAN FARM

When Ruth Anne crosses the finish line of the Providence Marathon on May 1, 2022, she will be running with more than her legs. She will be running with all of her heart for those running the marathon of healing and recovery at Victory Programs.

Victory Programs is a Boston-based nonprofit organization dedicated to helping individuals and families who are homeless and may have substance use disorders, often accompanied by chronic health issues like HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C, and mental illness. Providing a welcoming environment, their compassionate and inspiring team is committed to helping them regain their health and restore their hope through immediate access to safe and stable housing.

Victory Programs’ ReVision Urban Farm is an innovative community-based urban agriculture project that grows produce in its own fields and provides access to affordable, nutritious and culturally appropriate food to residents of our ReVision Family Home and our extended community. In association with ReVision Family Home, they also provide job training for youth and Boston’s homeless. They are the oldest urban farm in Boston.

Your donation to Victory Programs has an especially powerful impact during the holidays and as winter approaches in Boston. After several years of critical illness, Ruth Anne volunteered at ReVision Urban Farm as a way to get back into the community. The mission, passion and purpose of Victory Programs and the Farm captured her heart. You can follow this link to donate to her fundraising page.

Give the gift of healing, hope and possibilities this year by choosing Voices of Hope Boston and Victory Programs as nonprofits who will bring hope for the holidays to all whose lives they touch through their life changing work.

Thank you for your consideration!

From my heart to yours

In health and wellness,

Mary

Be sure to visit my website at https://marymcmanus.com to learn about my journey to health and wellness in the wake of paralytic polio and trauma

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