Wednesday, February 8, 2012

News from the ROOF Tops, 2011 Year-end

What a year for ROOF!  Our dedicated Board came together to create and implement a program to house and support at-risk families in our community.  Our site-selection committee searched and found two properties that ROOF purchased and one where we collaborated with a local landlord and leased.  Our Fundraising Committee, led by Harvey and Norma Beit, inspired local businesses, institutions and members of our community who donated to our organization, allowing us to carry out our mission.  After 2+ years of hard work and inspiration, in December, Harvey and Norma offered the Board their resignations.  We will miss them dearly.  

The Port Follies

Roof Over Head presented its first annual fundraising and awareness-raising event on Friday, October 21, 2011, at The Firehouse Center for the Arts in Newburyport.  ROOF provided a night for the public to see the other side of our local candidates running for election in November.  Candidates proved that their talents go far beyond policy-making in  The Port Follies: A Politically Incorrect Variety Show.  Local notables, John Macone, Editor of The Daily News, and Ann Ormand, President of the Greater Newburyport Chamber of Commerce, served as emcees, entertaining the audience and introducing the talent.  Local musicians dazzled the audience with beautiful music.

The Institution for Savings, Stoneridge Properties, Strem Chemical and iMarc all served as event sponsors.  The Firehouse Center was the perfect stage for the event.  The Firehouse staff opened their doors helping us bring our show to the stage.  Hailey Klein, our uber-talented executive producer brought the show to life and kept it on track.  The multi-media evening proved to be an uproarious and heartwarming good time with plenty of surprises.  We were able to deliver our message and raise funds for ROOF as well! 

Our Second Home

On Wednesday of Thanksgiving week, ROOF finalized purchase of its second home located in Amesbury, Massachusetts.  The two bedroom condominium is located in a well-kept, well-run condominium complex.  Our site selection team spent weeks inspecting the premises and meeting with the homeowners and determined it was a great fit for our organization.  We were able to purchase this home with the help of compassionate funders and supporters.  The home is being painted, cleaned and readied for our third ROOF family. 

Our Newest Member

Our year ended with Christin Walth joining our team.  She will assist our Board in managing  grants, programs, deadlines and the day-to-day functions of ROOF.  Christin, who hails from Newburyport, brings an enormous amount of talent, expertise and energy.  We are looking forward to beginning the New Year with a new focus and a continued determination to carry out our mission.

Donors

In the last quarter of 2011, ROOF was the recipient of very generous grants:  The Institution for Savings, The Provident Bank, The Newburyport Five Cents Savings Bank, Massachusetts Association of Realtors, Pennies for Poverty, The Forest Foundation, Central Congregational Church, The Swasey Foundation and Newburyport Area Industrial Development Foundation (NAID) all provided ROOF with funds allowing our organization to continue to provide transitional, supportive housing to at-risk members of our community.  We sincerely thank them for supporting our mission. 

In 2012 we look forward to working with our Board, supporters, volunteers and partners.  Thank you all who have followed our progress.  We promise to stay true to our mission and continue to support the most vulnerable families in our community.  The properties we transformed and the lives we impacted in 2011 will be a part of ROOF’s history.

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