Spring - a sign of new beginnings

Spring has finally sprung! We hope everyone is staying safe and healthy, and doing the best they can as we navigate through these unprecedented times together, as a community. Let’s try to remain hopeful and remember that better days will come as will the fresh ocean breeze and warmth of sun.

We would like to fill everyone in regarding the happenings so far this Spring.

The Cape Ann Community has played a major role in the success of the Sunrise Funds ability to help people, and now it’s our turn to give back. A few weeks ago, we were able to donate an entire dinner to the homeless shelter at the YMCA, which wouldn’t have been possible without the gracious help of Jess at Capt Hooks. We have been witnessing countless people going to extreme lengths to help each other: to get someone’s groceries, to make sure someone has a mask, and even to purchase gifts and prizes for people on the front lines of this crisis, and it’s truly amazing. There have been so many uplifting stories! We hope the residents at the shelter enjoyed their meal, as it is our way of giving back to the community.

We are also thrilled to announce that we have received a very generous grant from the Alces foundation. The Alces foundation is a private family foundation that was started in Hamilton MA to help fund growing non profit organizations that the family chooses. We are so happy to be picked as one of those organizations! We applied for the grant in April and just received it this week! We would also like to thank Rose and Kayla (sunrise recipient) for having birthday fundraisers to raise money for us this month! These funds are so crucial at this time as we have had to postpone two events so far this year. You guys are awesome, hope you both had a wonderful birthday!

On a more somber note, we want to recognize and thank the families of Daniel Balbo, Michele Gates, and Brandi Mitchell. These three families have recently endured the loss of a loved one and graciously directed donations in their memory to the sunrise fund. We would like to send them virtual hugs and support, as its never easy to lose someone, especially during these troubling times. Families should never have to grieve alone. We want them to know that we are grieving with you, and we are here for you. Each donation we get in their memory will be a step forward in helping us end someone else’s struggle. We thank you for thinking of the sunrise fund.

*Also for anyone who is making a donation in memory of a loved one, please make sure to note that person’s name in the Paypal instructions or notes. We will also be making an “in memoriam” page on our website. If you would like us to put a picture of your loved one and their story, please reach out to us by email- thesunrisefund@gmail.com.

As for our sunrise fund recipients, up to date we have spent just over $60,000 and sent 19 people into treatment. Our girl Kayla, who we blogged about previously, is coming up on 11 months sober!! Another recipient is currently in treatment up in Portland and is celebrating 7 months sober this month!! It’s amazing because these are some of the first people to receive funding from us, and for them to still be doing this awesome in their recovery, makes us feel good.

Stay safe everyone,

~Jackie

Winter Update

As beautiful as Winter can be here on Cape Ann, it can also be the toughest time of year for many people, especially those dealing with mental health issues, homelessness, and addiction. It is during these months that the detox and treatment beds are usually full, and if it isn’t for treatment of their addiction, it is simply for a warm bed. The summer months tend to not be as full because people are more apt to seek shelter outside when the weather is nice. We understand the struggle of finding a bed during these months and, especially, the feeing of hopelessness that accompanies it.

What's New with 2020?

We held our first fundraiser at Giggles in Saugus to kick off the New Year right! The performing comedians, Johnni Pizzi, Kathy Gilmour, Lenny Clarke, and Dave Russo, brought their A game and had people in tears. If you asked us who was funniest we couldn’t tell you, even though Dave’s impression of Robert De Niro is going to be something we will never forget because it was dead on!

The night was filled with great raffle prizes, including a 50 inch flat screen TV, delicious pizza and drinks. AND not to mention, we raised $6750.00 for the sunrise fund in the process! Thank you so much to everyone who donated and bought tickets! We may even repeat the event next year!

What are the latest happenings with the sunrise fund?

In the last two weeks we have funded two more women into treatment. To date we have funded 5 women and 7 men into drug treatment or sober living placements. These twelve people have put recovery above all else in their lives. We were even so lucky to have two of the women and recipients families join us at our Giggles fundraiser! It really is a great feeling to have helped transition an addict from a point of such desperation to a point where they are doing so well in their program they are able to join and laugh at the fundraising event that got them there. And it’s an even better feeling to see their families laughing and smiling again.

We also have two new members on our board of directors that we would like to introduce to the community! Jessica Lindley and Elaine McKechnie have joined our team, bringing years of non-profit experience. They are both very eager to start helping the sunrise fund expand our network and help as many people get into recovery as we can. We are very excited to have them! Keep an eye our for their pics and bios on the website soon!

2nd Annual Jillian Latham Memorial Softball Tournament

Another annual Jill Latham Memorial Softball Tournament 2-2 for the books! Saturday, September 28th was a heartwarming, motivational, and emotional day. We had a big Co-ed softball tournament in honor of Jill and this year all proceeds were donated to the sunrise fund.

All together the event raised $4751.00! There are many people to thank that made this day happen:

Stacie and Matt Nicastro- Stacie helped collect numerous donations and bring the event together. They also brought the enormous grill that was borrowed from the JJ nicastro events (thank you Jon Nicastro as well) And Thank you Matt for being the grill master for most of the day!

Jess Delisi- Thank you for making the shirts, gathering sponsors and putting the event together.

Shawna Palmintieri- Thank you for helping shop for all the concession supplies and also pulling the whole tournament together as well.

Amanda Goveny- Thank you for getting teams together and making sure everything was completely legit, not too mention being another huge part of putting the event together.

Sadie Mello- Jill’s favorite niece was the head of the concession stand and helped out immensely in taking in all the proceeds for the day.

Jennifer Beliveau of Jennifer Lee Photography- Thank you for taking pics of the day!

Lou Mcgrath- Thank you for umpiring and getting a crew to help out as well!

Thank you to all the people that donated the 15+ raffle items and baskets.

Thank you to all the businesses that sponsored the T-shirts:

Cape Ann Oil, Cape Ann Travel Service, Captain Hook’s, Celia’s Flowers, F/V WEBB II , Gloucester Boxing, Hoots and Moots, KC White Contracting Inc., Maki’s Moving Co., Marissa and Mike Goodwin, Paramount Financial Solutions, Polaris Sheet Metal, Seasonal Control, The Bridge, and Wolf Hill

And last but not least the volunteers!

Thanks Cat, Emily, Marissa, Krystle, Jess, Jenna, Alicia and all the softball players!

Congratulations to team Sky for winning the whole tournament! Jill would be proud.

As hard as it is to come to this tournament every year, it is always worth it in the end. Jill’s happy place was with all of these girls and guys whenever she played softball, which was one of her main passions in life. It was a beautiful sunny day filled with all the people that she loved, and we thank everyone that was a part of it. :)