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Be Inspired: Meet Melanie

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Be Inspired…..

Melanie, on the right,  pictured with her daughter.

Meet Melanie! Melanie is the managing partner of EYESPOT, a local and independently owned optical boutique located at The Street in Chestnut Hill, MA.

EYESPOT has partnered with The B Fund’ s Halloween Candy Drive and will collect candy donations from November 1 – 5th. This is the second year EYESPOT has participated in The B Fund’s Halloween Candy Drive and we are thrilled to have them as a partner.

To get to know Melanie and the culture over at EYESPOT a little better, we asked her a few questions:

Three words to describe your business: Personalized, Professional and Friendly

If your co-workers had to describe you in three words, what words would they use? Peppy, funny and caring.

Are there any fun facts or interesting bits of information about your business that may surprise others? Yes, two things. First, for every pair of glasses you buy at EYESPOT, we will donate a pair to a child in Nepal. Next, each month we donate a box of glasses to New Eyes For The Needy in New Jersey.

Why is it important for your business to help others? We find helping others to be incredibly important because it fosters a sense of community! We love being able to help those in need, within the Boston Area and beyond!

Favorite Halloween Candy? Dark chocolate

Halloween Costume? Wacky Wavy Inflatable Arm-Flailing Tube Man

What three pieces of candy would you donate out of your Trick-or-Treat bag? Snickers, Jolly Ranchers and Whoppers

Finish the following statement:

Helping others feels.…. AMAZING.

The B Fund is grateful for Melanie and her amazing team at EYESPOT for their efforts to support our mission and empower kids to make a difference in the lives of families caring for critically ill children.

To learn more about EYESPOT, visit eyespot.com

 

The B Fund Kicks off Fifth Annual Halloween Candy Drive

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Calling all ghosts and goblins! It’s time to use your Halloween treats to give back to families in need!

WHAT: The B Fund’s 5th Annual Halloween Candy Drive, a weeklong initiative aiming to inspire kids of all ages to make a difference by sharing their Halloween sweets with families in need. The B Fund will donate $0.25* to Boston Children’s Hospital and Team Impact for each piece of candy donated from a child’s personal stash *(up to $25,000). To date, our drive has inspired over 6,890 individuals to donate over 135,298 pieces of Halloween Candy.

Some kids have a hard time understanding the value of a nickel or dime. Now, if you ask your child the value of a Twizzler or a chocolate candy bar, their eyes may light up as if they uncovered a pot of gold. The B Fund believes a child’s candy is gold and feels this activity is a simple way to empower kids and teach them that giving up a few pieces of their candy will shine a light on families in need.”

-Kathleen VanDernoot, Founder

WHEN: November 1 – 7, 2017

WHERE: Drop-off locations for the general public can be found at the following locations:

The Street – Chestnut Hill:

Wellesley, MA:

Newburyport, MA:

Boston, MA:

Wayland, MA:

WHY: To spark conversation and engage with our children and the community about the value in giving up only a few pieces of their coveted Halloween Candy. In the process, The B Fund’s goal is to inspire others to join our growing group of compassionate individuals who understand that giving of their “treasures” will 1) raise awareness of a group in need of support, and 2) provide financial support to this group.

QUESTIONS: info@thebfund.org

Grab your trick-or-treat bags and get ready to make a difference!

It’s time for a Lemon-AID Stand!

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When life gives you lemons, The B Fund provides you with Lemon-AID and some delicious sweets!

Now that summer is here, we are able to spend more time outside. Between taking walks, riding bikes, and playing in the yard, the warm weather provides a number of fun activities the whole family can enjoy!

The warm weather is also a great time to reflect on the needs of our communities and the ways in which all family members are able to give of their time, talents, and treasures to make the world a better place. With more opportunities to get outside and be engaged, how will your family give back this summer?

Since its founding, The B Fund has encouraged local families to participate in its signature Lemon-AID Stand and Bake Sale.  This event is a wonderful opportunity to get your family outside and involved with friends and neighbors.

We are calling on YOU to invite your friends, family members, and neighbors to host a Lemon-AID stand to give back to families caring for critically ill children. All participants will be entered to win a family pack of Zoo New England tickets to thank you for your efforts!

Want to get involved, but you’re not sure where to start? Here are some tips to help you plan your Lemon-AID Stand!

 

  • Determine WHEN and WHERE you will host your Lemon-AID Stand. Start thinking about the size of this event. Where is the best place to set this up? Choose a location that makes sense for your participants and will garner enough foot traffic. Maybe that’s your front yard, or maybe you can head over to the nearest park or another public place! Then, make sure you choose a date and time that work for everyone involved.
  • Spread the word! Distribute flyers and send invitations to friends, family members, and neighbors! Even utilize social media to let everyone know that you’re making Lemon-AID!
  • Determine your recipes and gather ingredients. Will you make your Lemon-AID from scratch, or use a mix? Will you serve any baked treats? If so, be sure to make your sweets nut-free so that everyone can enjoy them!
  • Gather all of your supplies. You will need cups, napkins, a table, a cash drawer, and a pitcher and stirrer for your Lemon-AID. Be sure to have these items ready in advance of your stand so you’re prepared for success!
  • How much will your Lemon-AID cost? Typically, $0.50 is the going rate, but the choice is yours!
  • Get crafty. Make a beautiful sign to display in front of your stand.
  • Lights, camera, ACTION! Have your camera ready to document your efforts!

 

Once you’re finished hosting your Lemon-AID stand, share your success! Use the hashtag #thebfund #Bfundlemonaid to show us your work.

Now that you’ve ironed out those details, you’re ready to go! To receive a copy of our Lemon-AID Sale Resource Kit, or learn more about activities, email us at info@thebfund.org.

 

Where in the World is Rebecca??

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Last month, The B Fund featured Rebecca Skoler, a 15-year-old from Needham, in our “Be Inspired” page. She is using her time and talents on the golf course to make a difference in the lives of critically ill children and their families by fundraising for The B Fund. Whether she’s in Florida, Massachusetts, or even Israel, this girl just can’t be stopped!

So, where in the world is Rebecca Skoler now?

She just finished up the 2017 Pepsi Little People’s Championship at the Westview Golf Course in Illinois. And she didn’t just compete – she was the tournament champion!

Rebecca shot 77 & 70, breaking par for the first time in a tournament shooting -1 in the final round.

The golf course isn’t the only place where Rebecca shines – she’s also an integral part of The B Fund’s efforts to help raise awareness and funds for critically ill children and their families

Since our last post, Rebecca’s fundraising effort has raised $972.00 for The B Fund, and she’s not done yet!

Take a moment to make a pledge or offer your support by clicking on this link.

Where is Rebecca heading next?

Next week, she will be heading to Israel for three weeks! There she will compete in the Maccabi Games. This incredible opportunity aims to empower Jewish-Americans through athletic and cultural programs in Israel.

Thanks to Rebecca and all of her supporters who are making a difference in the lives of critically ill children and their families. We are so proud of Rebecca!