Description
Contact:
[email protected]
Buttons for Babes – Program Overview
Buttons for Babes project helps children in Greater Franklin County
Chris Bourassa is a passionate volunteer who wanted to continue giving back to her community when she lost her job. So she started making one-of-a-kind bracelets with recycled buttons to support children who were homeless and living at a group
home in Rumford, Maine. As demand for the bracelets grew, as well as local children’s needs, the United Way of the Tri-Valley Area offered to help, and in 2009 became the program’s fiscal agent, overseeing the project as well as accounting for the all of the bracelet contributions which will be collected through August 2016. As of September 1, 2016 Buttons for Babes has transitioned to become a Giving Circle (http://www.givingcircle.org) and continues to support the causes members hold dear. Contributions support the unmet needs of children throughout Greater Franklin County. This may include funding the cost of a program offered by a coalition or a non-profit organization that supports children, or helping individuals with very specific needs. This includes transportation costs to medical appointments, basic needs such as food and clothing, beds and bedding for a safe sleeping environment, or scholarships for children with special needs to attend enrichment classes or summer camp. To date, Buttons for Babes volunteers have raised over $40,000. Those funds have been disbursed back into the community through way of applications (discontinued June 2016), and also through multiple program support. Some of the organizations being currently supported include Theresa's Totes, Children's Task Force, and WM Homeless Outreach.
