ProjectFREE Brings Nonprofits Together

By Laura Mulrooney

On Saturday, November 14, ProjectFREE teamed up with Miracle By The Bay, its sister nonprofit organization, for their 1st Annual Spirit of The Community Event featuring nonprofit organizations.

“We really need a call to action to work on helping with different parts of our community,” ProjectFREE co-founder Sharon Vanderlinde said. “It just makes sense for us to bridge the charities and the communities.”

“This was the perfect opportunity for all of us to interact with each other,” Tracey Livingston, a volunteer for SHP Beds, said. SHP builds bunk beds for children and families who need of a safe and comfortable place to sleep. “It takes a village to do what we do.”

Nonprofits gathered to raise money and invite new volunteers for their causes.

“Due to COVID-19, there are a lot more people in need

of help this year,” Vanderlinde said.

Celebrate Birthdays, an organization that gives birthday presents to those in foster care and underprivileged children received a plethora of toys from ProjectFREE members and residents.

“We were dumbfounded that not every kid gets to celebrate their birthday,” said Belinda Leto, President of Celebrate Birthdays. “So we started Celebrate Birthdays in order to make sure each kid gets their special day.”

ProjectFREE also rocked their new home at the ProjectFREE Performing Arts Center, 2026 51st S. Musicians and musical acts performed throughout the day, including ProjectFREE’s Music Director Audrey Short, ProjectFree’s very own rock band Solar Flair featuring musicians with diverse abilities, and a nail-biter of a “Drum Off” between teacher L.J. Harness and student Lauren Rittenhouse.

Celebrate Birthdays, an organization that gifts birthday presents to those in foster care and underprivileged children, shows off the donations they received from ProjectFREE participants.

Laura Mulrooney