Family Promise Metrowest 2021 Annual Report

OUR EVENTS
In the spring of 2021, as the time for our spring walkathon approached,
large in-person gatherings were still not feasible due to COVID. But after
cancelling our 2020 walk altogether, we were determined to find a way to
get our supporters outdoors to not only raise funds for our families, but to
come together—albeit remotely—as a community.
Our planning committee got right to work, and a new vision for our
walkathon emerged. Families, friends, and coworkers were all encouraged
to register and plan independent walks in their own towns, wearing their
walk t-shirts, posting their progress on social media, and engaging in fun
activities along the way like scavenger hunts. In the end, we had 54
registered teams and 620 walkers fanned out across the region on a sunny
May weekend, raising awareness, funds, and hope for the families we serve.
A school group from Dover walked together and then treated themselves
to popsicles afterward. A group of tennis friends walked at Elm Bank in
Wellesley after a brunch of scones and mimosas to kick off the festivities.
And ICB of Wayland pulled together our biggest team yet, with 75 people
walking to Wayland center and back, followed by a shared meal. We were
so humbled to see the outpouring of support from our community, raising
over $230,000 for the programs that serve our families.
As the fall approached and vaccines rolled out across the community, we
were optimistic we could bring back an in-person event for our Keeping
the Promise gala. But with a steady uptick in COVID cases by the end of the
summer, we simply couldn’t take the risk. So we staged our virtual Keeping
the Promise concert for another year, recruiting even more musicians and
bringing our production company, MediaBoss, back on board to help.
The show, which aired in early December, included repeat performances by
Alli Haber, Ellis Paul, Chris Trapper, Phil Stacey, Never Say Never, Dave
Keller, and Lady Cap, and songs from new guests including Crimson
Calamity, Rhett Price, Ben Cesare, Dan Miller, Zoe Behrakis, and the Temple
Shir Tikva children's choir. FPM family members also shared touching
stories about their experiences with us, including Sarah Floyd, who entered
our shelter as a teenager in 2013. Her inspirational animated video about
her experience with us won’t be forgotten by any of our attendees.
Once again, our supporters’ response and enthusiasm bowled us over, with
over 1,300 households viewing the show and $192,000 raised. We received
stories and photos from many house parties, where families and friends
had gathered to watch the show while noshing on appetizers and meals
from partnering restaurants. We also had record-breaking participation in
another fabulous auction filled with themed baskets, vacation homes, and
sports tickets. And folks were thrilled with our swag bags, hand-delivered
to our higher donors with goodies donated by local businesses. All in all, it
was another night to remember, celebrated together while apart.
FROM TOP: A youth team from Dover Middle School; the Chandler family on
their walk route; Leigh Einbinder and Buddy from the Wellesley Village Church
walk team; our FPM team and alum Jackie on-site at Walnut Hill School for the
concert broadcast; FPM family member Estey speaks during the show.
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