Terrorism War Poses Risk for Island Charities

By MANDY LOCKE

As American spending habits are tempered this fall by a soft economy
and the recent outpouring of generosity to new national causes, leaders
of Island charities and nonprofit organizations cross their fingers that
donors will continue to reach deep into their pockets to provide for the
ongoing needs of the Vineyard community.

Early indicators are mixed. While proceeds from October's
annual Crop Walk to benefit local and world hunger fell 20 per cent,
none of the Island's major philanthropic organizations report
having felt a real pinch otherwise. In fact, earlier this month
Harley-Davidson riders raised a record $19,000 for the Red Stocking
Fund, which provides gifts and food for about 250 Island children each
holiday season.

And hunger relief jars throughout Edgartown have been as full as
ever, said Tom Hiller of the Island Food Pantry.

Still, he said, "We're not overly confident this
year."

Ned Robinson-Lynch, director of Martha's Vineyard Community
Services, has concerns as well. "I am anxious, despite the real
commitment [of] the community," he said.

Adding to Mr. Robinson-Lynch's worries are pending state
budget cuts, which are expected to reduce funding for human services
throughout the state. MVCS could see its allocation reduced by as much
as $100,000, he said.

The Island's chapter of the American Red Cross campaigned
aggressively to raise $121,000 for Sept. 11 disaster relief. Now it must
raise money to support its $30,000 to $40,000 annual budget.

"We are wondering if people are tapped out," said local
director Glenn Carpenter.

Accounts of peer organizations in other communities struggling to
meet day-to-day needs only raise more concerns among leaders of local
nonprofits.

Many local boys' and girls' clubs, for example, rely
heavily on gifts from the United Way, which stepped to the forefront of
national relief efforts on Sept. 11. Now chapters fear United Way
contributions will decrease significantly this year.

Greg Rollins, director of the Martha's Vineyard Boys'
and Girls' Club has attended state and national organizational
conferences that address the challenge of supporting children whose
parents face the holidays jobless and hopeless. The economic forecast is
grim, he said.

Mr. Rollins said he nonetheless feels somewhat insulated from the
downturn felt across the nation.

"We've thought about it, but we have not seen any
indication that we will be hurting," he said. "It's so
staggering to see how many help-wanted signs are in our community. If
there's a poor economic climate, I haven't seen it
yet."

The Island's unique economic status - the community
hosts both millionaires and those who live paycheck to paycheck -
may be protecting Island charities.

"The Island is different; it has a lot of heavy
hitters," said Mr. Hiller of the Food Pantry. "They feel
responsible toward those people here who are not as affluent."

"We have large donors who are probably insulated from recent
falls," he added. "Their giving to Sept. 11 was in addition
to what they normally give. It's the people who give $50 to $100 a
year - that's the donor that we may miss this year."

Only time will tell if the season of giving will allow these
organizations to fulfill budgetary wish lists. The boys' and
girls' club just sent out its annual plea for donations, and
Martha's Vineyard Community Services and the Red Cross are both
preparing mass mailings.

"If we have this conversation three months from now, I might
have a completely different answer," said Mr. Rollins of the
boys' and girls' club.

For now, the groups cautiously predict they will be able to make
ends meet this year.

"I think the people on the Island know the local chapter bent
over backward to rally behind a national cause, and I think there will
be a residual benefit for the local chapter," the Red
Cross's Mr. Carpenter said.

But new needs arise constantly. The boys' and girls'
club, for instance, continues to add new programs, like a summer day
camp at the charter school; some of them operate at a loss.

"If all goes according to plan, we'll get by. But as we
continue to do more things, we'll never be able to be
complacent," Mr. Rollins said.

"It's striking how the difficulty of living here seems
to have risen. It's more than I've seen in my 12 short
years," Mr. Robinson-Lynch said. MVCS continually works to meet
the needs of a growing clientele with limited funds, staff and space.

Mr. Hiller, too, worries about keeping 700 Islanders fed through the
entire winter season.

"We're able to keep the shelves stocked now, but come
February and March, when families are in greatest need, they tend to get
a little bare," he said.

Nonprofit leaders remain thankful that Islanders have compensated
for unexpected needs time and time again.

"This community has consistently stepped up to the
plate," Mr. Robinson-Lynch said.

"Even when someone's in need, they still manage to share
$5 or $10," said Barbara Sylvia, treasurer for the Red Stocking
Fund.

"If for some unforeseen reason we go over, all we need to do
is mention it, and the community will make sure it's wiped
away," she said. "It's all about taking care of your
own; that's what this community is all about."

Despite the uncertainties brought on by unexpected challenges, the
commitment of Island philanthropic organizations doesn't waver.

"We will continue to provide services against the backdrop of
a recession," Mr. Robinson-Lynch said. "We're still
fulfilling a unique need that Sept. 11 did not create or
eliminate."