The Red Stocking Fund has put out an urgent appeal to the Martha’s Vineyard community for toys. The fund has received a record number of qualifying applications, with well over 400 children in genuine need this holiday season.
Organizers are asking anyone in a position to donate to bring toys to the Edgartown and Oak Bluffs Schools, or to Grace Church on Woodlawn avenue in Vineyard Haven, between now and Wednesday; arrangements also can be made to have new toys picked up.
Every Christmas morning on the Island hundreds of children for whom the day would otherwise serve only as a reminder of want, tear through a heap of lovingly wrapped gifts. This owes, of course, to the prodigious efforts of Père Noel, but also to the dozens of merry-making volunteers at the Red Stocking Fund.
While other Island fund-raising efforts have floundered of late, with a new wing for this or that building going unfinished, it seems that Vineyarders’ compassion for their fellow man is constant.
Motorcyclists enjoyed a weekend on the Vineyard, while contributing to Island charities through the 29th annual Run to the Rock.
Mike Dow, president of the hosting nonprofit group, the Martha’s Vineyard Harley Riders, said the weekend went well. Last year the event raised $50,000 for Vineyard charities and Mr. Dow said they expect to do even better once all the money is counted this year. The riders came from all over New England, and from as far north as Canada and as far west as Pennsylvania.
With a sold-out venue and nearly 1,600 people set to descend on the Portuguese American Club in Oak Bluffs tomorrow, the Big Chili Contest 2010 is bigger than ever. And the event sponsored by Vineyard radio station WMVY is sure to produce more smiles than ever for all parties concerned, from the chili chompers to the chilly children who receive clothes that the Red Stocking Fund buys with the proceeds.
Plenty of mild chili, cold beer and warm fun went into the 22nd annual WMVY Chili Contest last Saturday. The fundraiser raised approximately $21,000 for the Island’s charitable organization, the Red Stocking Fund, more than last year’s event.
The miracle that is Red Stocking has happened again. Through a tremendous effort on the part of hundreds of donors, volunteers, vendors and Red Stocking committee members, we distributed food, clothing, books and toys to 334 Vineyard children from 230 families. The piles and piles of wrapped presents that filled Grace Church last Thursday were cheerfully and efficiently sorted and organized into a sea of numbered bags ready for Friday morning’s pickup. This represented an increase of over 50 children from last year.
