The Fisher crew realizes charitable giving is more important than ever this year. So, our team compiled a list of some of the non-profits they’ve supported to continue to uplift our community during a challenging year.
Giving Tuesday follows up on the heals of Black Friday and is a global generosity movement unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world. It was created as a simple idea: to be a day that encourages people to do good. This year Giving Tuesday falls on December 1st, 2020.
Liza supports: Fairwinds – Nantucket’s Counseling Center
Mission:
Fairwinds is Nantucket’s Counseling Center and provides confidential, quality professional care to adults and youth on Nantucket who seek mental health and addiction services. All are welcome, regardless of ability to pay.
About 65 years ago, members of the Nantucket community gathered to discuss the critical need for an organization that could serve as a source of hope for those islanders who were affected by mental health issues. Since that time, formally incorporated under the name Family & Children’s Services of Nantucket in 1962, we have worked tirelessly to create an organization that could serve as a safe place for our patients and stand as a symbol of hope for the island.
Events in 2020:
The last weekend in September there is an annual 5K. This year they are also doing the “Holiday Portrait Initiative,” where you can have a 45-minute photo session with a minimum donation, with rates depending on the size of the party. Purchase a gift certificate for someone, or secure your spot by emailing photography@fairwindscenter.org with any questions.
Why Liza Supports Fairwinds:
“I support Fairwinds Nantucket because they offer services that most of the population does not have access due to the massive expense they impose. Health insurance rarely covers mental health or any services that assist with substance abuse issues. Making these more accessible and easier to obtain can have a tremendous impact on an individual’s life and their ability to get treatment and/or seek rehabilitation.”
Brent supports: The Nantucket Lighthouse School
Mission:
The Lighthouse School is a community of children, families and educators that embodies the joy of learning. Through an integrated curriculum of literacy, math, science, history, creative and performing arts, students develop critical thinking skills. Through compassionate teaching and social-emotional learning, students develop a sense of respect and responsibility for self, others and their community. We are committed to the education of the whole child, concerning ourselves equally with ethical and intellectual development.
Events in 2020:
Why Brent Supports the Lighthouse School:
“My son Ryder went here and it gave him the foundation from which to grow and about what is important and how to be a good person in a world that is clearly muddled. It provided an introduction to yoga, handwork, and thanks to Marian and Russ Morash the greenhouse – all of which translate into life and personal lessons much bigger than the individual tasks.”
Jen supports: Swim Across America
Mission:
SAA hosts charity swims across the country with the proceeds funding local cancer care treatment and patient care.
Events in 2020:
This year, Nantucket’s local swim looked a bit different as no main event took place. Instead, the community rallied to engage in various virtual runs, bike rides and swims to successfully raise over $380,000 toward the $450,000 goal. I took part in a run, a ride and several open water swims to continue to raise awareness for this amazing fundraiser.
Why Jen Supports SAA:
“I have participated with SAA Nantucket for the last 10 years. It is truly one of the most incredible community fundraisers. I love watching people of all ages come together for a common cause. They put aside any timidness they may have about an ocean swim and plunge into Nantucket Sound to raise much-needed money for on-island cancer care services. Living on-island can be very challenging for cancer patients. So raising money to help them receive more treatment locally, rather than traveling to Boston, is of critical importance. Too many families in our community, and nationwide, are affected by cancer. I enjoy doing my small part to help.”
Lara supports: The Marla Ceely Lamb Fund
Mission:
The Marla Ceely Lamb Fund is a special fund which helps defray the costs of transportation and lodging for patients who must travel off-island for cancer treatment. Please note that PASCON manages and administers the funds for the Marla Ceely Lamb Fund, but this fund operates separately from PASON. Fundraising is done independently by Marla’s family, friends, and the community.
Events in 2020:
While no in-person events have been held since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, typically the MCLF holds an annual fundraiser at The Faregrounds, complete with a live auction, silent auction, live music, raffle, etc. Local businesses such as The Downyflake, Poets Corner Press/Sally’s Shipping Counter, and many others have had incentive days where a portion of their proceeds were donated to the fund.
Why Lara Supports the Marla Ceely Lamb Fund:
“My aunt Marla was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1990, long before many of today’s medical advances in oncology. Comprehensive treatment options were only offered on the mainland, so Marla would travel to Boston with family and friends for her treatments. Leading up to her death in 1992, Marla had the foresight to establish a fund that would help other islanders with their travel costs – every little bit helps. In the past 30 years, the fund has helped alleviate the travel burden for countless Nantucket residents.”
Quinn supports: The Nantucket Atheneum & the Weezie Library
Mission:
The Nantucket Atheneum, a private non-profit organization, provides public library service to the island’s year-round and seasonal residents, housed in a historic 1847 building and the Weezie Library for Children. The Atheneum collects, organizes and disseminates books, literature and other materials in a variety of formats to help users of all ages meet their recreational, personal, professional and intellectual needs. In keeping with its heritage, the Atheneum also serves as a cultural center for the Nantucket community by sponsoring educational programming and maintaining special collections related to the history and culture of the island.
Events in 2020:
The 19th Annual Cold Turkey Plunge is taking place anytime during the month of November and anywhere in the world! Find our more info here.
Why Quinn Supports the Nantucket Atheneum:
“Our children have always loved the Atheneum, but 2020’s been a year like no other and our island library really shined this year. Our children love to read and the Atheneum offers digital downloads 24/7 and contactless curbside pickup for book loans. Additionally, the Weezie Library has awesome “Grab and Go Bags” with STEM projects that have kids crafting in ways that engage their hands and minds as they measure, cut, glue, paint, and more. I give them a lot of credit for figuring out how to keep the Turkey Plunge tradition alive by making it virtual. We hopped in the water at Children’s this past weekend, but the kids chickened out so we’ll have to try again.”
Gaelan supports: The Nantucket Dreamland
Mission:
As Nantucket’s nonprofit film & performing arts center, the Dreamland relies on your support to fulfill its mission. The Dreamland is open year-round and offers to bring the best in cinema, broadcast programming, comedy, live theater, children’s arts education programs and so much more to their beautiful state-of-the-art building in downtown Nantucket.
Events in 2020:
The Dreamland Drive-in offered sold-out shows all summer long and has continued it’s showings into November. They were able to find a safe way to offer movies to our community at just about the most fun setting ever. They were able to reach and exceed their fundraising goal is less than 6 days!
In addition to the drive-in fundraising campaign, the Dreamland also has a 2020 Annual Fund Campaign and a way to support the Children’s Theatre Education program.
Why Gaelan Supports the Dreamland:
“When the GoFundMe Campaign was launched in April, I knew we had to donate. I’m so happy we did, as we got to enjoy three movies this summer and it was one of the highlights of our summer. My two-year-old may not have been able to sit still or keep quiet in the traditional movie theatre setting, and being outdoors under the beautiful Nantucket sky on warm nights was a real treat. Oh, and the pizza, Hang Loose Helado ice cream truck and candy didn’t hurt either!
Sully supports: The Maria Mitchell Association
Mission:
The Maria Mitchell Association creates opportunities for all to develop a life-long passion for science through education, research, and first-hand exploration of the sky, land, and sea of Nantucket Island.
Events in 2020:
This year has demonstrated the critical need for science education and has magnified the importance of having a connection to nature. 2020 challenged the MMA to be innovative and a welcomed result was that they were able to continue extending our reach beyond Nantucket’s shores.
- 500+ people enjoyed our free weekly online Science Speaker Series, featuring eighteen scientists from around the country and here on Nantucket.
- 250+ children and adults participated in our virtual Nantucket Science Festival.
- 170+ participants joined the conversation about diversity, inclusion, and intersectionality in STEM during the online Maria Mitchell Women of Science Symposium.
- 6 Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) students, selected from a pool of over 300 applicants, completed our prestigious National Science Foundation-funded internship, made remote for the first time.
Danno supports: The Nantucket Golf Club Foundation
Mission:
The Nantucket Golf Club Foundation has raised over $22M in the last 15 years to help promote the positive development and enrichment of Nantucket children.
The money raised is spread out amongst many local charities: 82 and counting. In 2006, they started the Nantucket Scholar Program. Each year two Nantucket High School seniors are granted a four-year scholarship that covers all fees and tuition at the college of their choice. In 2018, they added vocational scholarships as well for the local kids looking for a career in the trades.
Why Danno Supports the NGCF:
“Last year I was fortunate enough to be invited to play in the Nantucket Children’s Charity Classic and attend the fundraising dinner. As a local, the overwhelming support for the Island community was amazing to witness first hand. It was great to see the support for this community as most of the attendees only spend a few months a year on Island. It is amazing what they have done and will continue to do.”
Joelle supports: The Nantucket Community Music Center
Mission:
Our mission is to enrich the cultural life of the island by fostering and supporting music education and performance opportunities for young people and adults.
NCMC believes that music has the power to transform individuals and our island as a whole. We envision a community with access to all aspects of music through teaching, learning, performing, and listening.
Our community is Nantucket Island, all its residents (both year-round and seasonal), and visitors, particularly our students and ensemble members, our faculty, our audiences, our supporters, and our outreach partners.
Events in 2020:
Holidays in Music: A Parade of Nantucket’s Historic Pipe Organs! This 90-minute virtual equivalent of NCMC’s Annual Organ Crawl will be streamed on YouTube Live, Friday, November 27th at 5pm. The program features the island’s six historic mechanical-action pipe organs and highlights music from end-of-year holidays. More info here.
Why Joelle Supports the NCMC:
“Music has always been a huge part of my life. Before moving to Nantucket year-round in 1994, I studied and graduated from The Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam where I majored in both Music Performance and Music Education. I have stopped playing for a number of years, after getting into the busy real estate market on the island. By happy circumstance, in 2002, I was taking photos of a house which had music scattered about. It was the home of the then Director of the Nantucket Community Music Center. After many conversations, and a waiting list of students to study clarinet, I was convinced to “dust-off” my clarinet. I served on the Board of Trustees of the Nantucket Community Music Center for 6 years, taught clarinet lessons for the organization and over the years, have performed in a number of small ensembles, including playing saxophone in the NCMC’s Jazz Band. I am currently a sitting member on their Advisory Board. I am now raising two children, who are currently studying Guitar and Ukulele virtually.”
Gina supports: Inky Santa
Mission:
The Inky Santa Toy Drive was founded in 1990 to make Christmas a little happier for island children in need. The Inquirer and Mirror publisher Marianne Stanton got the paper involved the following year to raise awareness of the effort and give it a broader reach. This year, Inky Santa is anticipating more requests for assistance than ever before due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Why Gina Supports the Inky Santa:
“I chose this non-profit to support because there is nothing more spectacular than seeing the joy on a child’s face when they open a special gift. Inky Santa is Nantucket’s version of Toys for Tots. This year, more than ever, the Inky Santa will need to rely on the community to help others in need. No child should go without experiencing the joy of the holidays. If you know of a family in need, have time to volunteer or would like to donate, please visit their website.”
Cam supports: Nantucket Ice
Mission:
Nantucket Ice is an incredible resource for Island residents on a year round basis. Our Learn to Skate, Kids on Ice, Public Skating, Puck & Stick, Kids and Curling programs all experienced record attendances and registrations. Nantucket Youth Hockey experienced significant growth with over 180 participants and the Nantucket Skating Club also continued to expand its membership and develop innovative programming. All told, roughly 50% of year round kids are impacted by the programming provided through Nantucket Ice.
This amazing community resource relies heavily on donations to operate. We subsidize the cost of Ice to make it attainable for all of our Island organizations. Unfortunately, 2020 has been especially difficult for obvious reasons. Our expense structure has not changed, but our revenue base has changed significantly with multiple shut downs mandated by the state.
We are excited to let everyone know that we are operating close to maximum capacity and giving the Nantucket Community a safe avenue to stay active during these busy times. Our incredible staff has implemented significant protocols to keep all of our users safe while being able to keep some normalcy in their lives. Nantucket Ice needs your support to keep on Skating!
Why Cam Supports Nantucket Ice:
“Nantucket Ice is an incredible resource for our community. I’ve watched my three daughters learn to play hockey and make new friendships. I’ve coached the learn to skate programs all the way through our High School team. The most amazing thing about Ice Skating is the confidence it inspires in kids. It’s similar to a child learning another language. When I watch these kids take on this challenge and start to master it, the reward is amazingly special.
I can say wholeheartedly that Nantucket Ice has had an amazing impact on me and on my family. I’m confident, in watching hundreds of kids use the facility every year, that it is a unique resource that is difficult to replicate in our unique geographical location.”
Erin supports: The Nantucket Boys & Girls Club
Mission:
To empower the youth of Nantucket to reach their fullest potential.
Events in 2020:
Events in 2020 include the online annual appeal, Tim Russert Summer Groove, Sam Sylvia Golf Tournament & more.
Why Erin Supports the Nantucket Boys & Girls Club:
“The Boys & Girls Club is a staple of our community providing many opportunities and a support system to both kids and families. I donate on a personal level but I have truly loved collaborating with the Club through my other business, A Salty Soul. We team up with ACK Surf School to donate surf lessons to the club.
We had to skip this summer given COVID but we sure hope surfing is back for Summer 2021! The club continues to impress me with all that they do!”
