Community Service Project Summaries

We're proud of all we do for the local community. Here are some "Thank You"s and descriptions of projects we've done in the past.

At our Halloween Parade in October 2010, we collected two large bins of food and nearly $300 for the Lexington Food Pantry. Here is a note from Food Pantry Coordinator, Carolyn Wortman:
Thank you LexFUN! for your recent donation of food and money for the Lexington Interfaith Outreach Food Pantry. Your continued support is appreciated. The Food Pantry opened its doors 20 years ago this month to provide food assistance for those in need on both a short term and long term basis. Throughout these years, hundreds of people of all ages who have many different reasons for needing help have walked through our doors for that assistance. The amount of food they receive is based on the number of family members. Our clients actually "shop" as opposed to being handed a bag of food which we feel adds some dignity to what is already a humiliating experience for some.

The Pantry is a totally volunteer organization supported by food and money donated by individuals, schools, houses of worship and companies mostly from Lexington, but also from other communities. We are fortunate to be well supported by this town. To quote a former volunteer "As our community support grows...so does our ability to support our community".
To learn more about what to donate and where visit our website. PLEASE remember to check expiration dates on your donations as outdated food is discarded.

In November 2010, for Family Literacy Month, we held a book drive to benefit More Than Words Bookstore and Cafe. MTW is a nonprofit social enterprise that empowers youth who are in the foster care system, court involved, homeless, or out of school to take charge of their lives by taking charge of a business. We donated over 500 books to More Than Words!
By working as a team to manage their own retail and online used book business, café, and community space, youth develop the employment skills, leadership, and self-confidence they need to successfully transition to adulthood. In addition to store-based job training, youth are engaged in personal transition planning and case management to support their progress towards employment and education. The MTW model is premised on the belief that when at-risk youth are challenged with authentic and increasing responsibilities in a business setting, and have high expectations and a culture of support, they can and will address their personal barriers, create concrete action plans for their lives, and become thriving members of society. For more information please visit www.mtwyouth.org

June 15, 2011

Dear LexFUN!

Thank you so much for your wonderful gift to Cary Library. The donation from LexFUN! will greatly enhance the Children's Collection. As you know, the Children's Librarians do an incredible job of guiding families to appropriate literature and of providing fun programs. Your support helps to keep our community strong.

Janet Tiampo, Cary Memorial Library Foundation, Inc. President

July 6, 2011

Dear Lisa & Meredith,

Please thank the members of LexFUN! for their generous donations of $2,000 to the Cary Memorial Library Children's Room, plus $600 for the maintenance of our fish tank, and $675 for this year's Children's Museum guest pass. We are still considering the best way to use your $2,000 donation, but if we choose to use it to buy new books for toddlers and preschoolers, we will place bookplates, inscribed "Donated by LexFUN!" inside the front cover of each book. Thank you again. Your generosity is appreciated by the patrons, staff, and Trustees of Cary Memorial Library as an important addition to our educational and cultural program.

Cordially, Ruth Nadelman Lynn, Children's Services Department Head

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Dear LexFUN! members,
 
Thank you so much for your generous donation of gift cards that will help brighten the lives of dozens of homeless or recently homeless families this holiday season. The gift cards you provided will help parents to provide presents for their children and also to meet their everyday needs.

On behalf of the families, we thank you for your generosity. As much as the donations themselves are amazing, the spirit with which you contributed has us wowed! We are extraordinarily grateful for your involvement, caring and generosity.

For more information on our COMPASS for homeless families program, please email or call.

My very best,
Jodi and the COMPASS Team

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