Foundation’s ONEmetrowest October 29 Campaign Emphasizes Community Service & $50,000 Match

The follow is a press release submitted to SOURCE media for publication.

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NATICK – Building off their successful 2020 campaign, the Foundation for MetroWest announces its 2^nd annual ONEmetrowest Day on October 29 with an increased emphasis on community involvement and raising critical support for its mission. 

The Foundation, with the support of Foundation Trustee Louis Crosier, and his wife Hope, will match every gift made on ONEmetrowest Day, up to $50,000.

In another effort to step up for the community, the Foundation for MetroWest is calling on community members to volunteer with one of six participating non-profit partners, going the extra mile to invest in the region through action.

The Foundation has served as a connector, partner, and resource for the cities and towns that make up the MetroWest region for the past 26 years. ONEmetrowest Day is part of the Foundation’s ONEmetrowest Campaign. Launching October 8, the overall goal is to raise $350,000 for the ONEmetrowest Fund.

This fund fuels everything they do to help the MetroWest region thrive – grantmaking in areas like hunger relief and youth and family support, programs, convenings, emergency relief, research and so much more. They are hopeful that the emphasis put behind ONEmetrowest Day will propel them towards their goal. More than 121 community members have already shown their support for the campaign since its launch.

“The Foundation is dedicated to investing in and strengthening the communities it serves,” said executive director Jay Kim. “ONEmetrowest Day is about bringing communities together to take action and get involved in the great work happening just outside their door. We always say, if you live here, we hope you consider giving here.”

Six non-profit partners will be inviting community members to volunteer throughout the day, forming new connections and opportunities between non-profit organizations and their communities.

The participating organizations are:

• Boston Area Gleaners

From 9 to 11 a.m., volunteers will pack, sort and assemble fresh produce boxes for families in need.

• Middlesex Human Service Agency

From 10 a.m. to noon volunteers will help assemble Thanksgiving dinner starter kits for the MHSA annual Holiday Giving Program.

• Rise Above Foundation (remote)

From 10 a.m. to noon volunteers will write care package notes to send to foster youth in college. 

• Dignity Matters

From 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. volunteers at the location in Framingham will help create customized kits of personal care items for women in poverty.

• Charles River Watershed Association:

From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. volunteers will work alongside CRWA staff to remove invasive species from the Warren Woods in Ashland.

• Cultural Alliance of Medfield

From 3 to 5 p.m. volunteers will refinish historic park benches at the Medfield State Hospital.

At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Foundation quickly pivoted its work to address the pressing needs in MetroWest brought on by the pandemic, granting over $5 million in emergency relief funding to date. During unprecedented times, the Foundation engaged the community and distributed resources to the region’s most vulnerable neighbors, tapping into the power of community.

“Throughout the pandemic, we had to shift priorities and adapt to address the changing needs of our community,” said Kim. “This is the role we are supposed to play as this region’s community foundation, and I couldn’t be prouder of what the Foundation has accomplished so far.”

This year’s ONEmetrowest Day matching gift challenge is made possible thanks to the Crosier Family. Louis and Hope have been longtime friends and supporters of the Foundation’s work, with Louis serving as the Board Chair from 2019-2021.

“The Foundation for MetroWest has been an anchor for the community during some of the hardest years we have ever faced,” said Louis Crosier. “We have always believed in the importance of the role they play in our community and are proud to take our support a step further for ONEmetrowest Day in hopes the community will join us in this day of giving.”

The ONEmetrowest campaign is an extension of the Foundation’s 2021 key initiatives, including ongoing emergency relief efforts, refreshing Impact MetroWest with additional data on race and equity indicators and more.

For more on ONEmetrowest and information on how to donate, please visit www.foundationmw.org/onemetrowest-campaign.

Established in 1995, the Foundation for MetroWest is the community foundation serving the cities and towns in the region, encompassing 700,000 residents from Westborough to Waltham and Acton to Dedham. The Foundation promotes philanthropy across the area, helps donors maximize the impact of their local giving, serves as a resource for local nonprofits and enhances the quality of life for all our residents. The Foundation is supported by a wide range of businesses, individuals, community groups and other philanthropic organizations. Since inception, the Foundation has granted $23 million to its nonprofit partners and currently stewards more than $30 million in charitable assets for current needs and future impact.