Did you know? The Helen Robinson Wright (HRW) Charitable Fund is the philanthropic arm of First Parish of Watertown. Funds are provided by the HRW Charitable Trust, the Watertown Community Foundation, and fundraising events organized by the HRW Fund Distribution Committee. Monies are available for Watertown residents for emergency needs for housing, food insecurity, education, and transportation. The committee plans to distribute almost $30,000 to needy individuals or families in a calendar year.Now the fun(d) part! The HRW Fall Fun(d)raiser, from October 6th through October 27th this year, is when we ask YOU to be a part of this crucial effort to help us meet the needs going forward. How do you do this, you ask?
- With the paperwork given out by HRW committee members, Bobbie, Charlyn, Will, Chuck, and Missy, (also available in the church office), register. There is a registration fee of $10.00 for individuals and $15.00 for families.
- Ask people to sponsor you. You can plan to walk, run, or bike a set amount of miles to earn their donations. You can sponsor yourself. Whether or not you actually walk-run-or bike, be sure to ask your friends to sponsor the Fun(d)raiser.
- Gather donations by check made out to First Parish with HRW Fun(d)raiser in the memo. Donations can be paid through Breeze as well. Your collected funds are due at First Parish by November 3rd.
- Feel great that you have contributed to a church-wide effort that helps many people! Look in the mirror and congratulate yourself! Our financial goal is $8,000, and we don’t mind exceeding that amount.
Just For Your Information:
HRW funds are administered and distributed in three ways:
Through Watertown’s Social Services Resource Specialists at Wayside Multiservice Center reaching people needing housing, food, refrigerators, transportation, and more. Allison, our church administrator, provides direct assistance to individuals. Rev. Sophia authorizes distributing funds allocated to the Ministerial Discretionary Fund.
Other fundraising by the committee this year includes a Benefit Concert on March 8th, 2025, featuring our own Jean Gauthier, Singer—Songwriter performing The Women’s Music Scene—1970’s to Present Day. Social Action sponsors a Designated Offering for HRW in the spring.
In closing, here is a typical HRW story:
A client’s fridge broke, and because of emergency medical needs and extra expenses due to losing work, she was unable to pay for replacement. HRW to the rescue! Allison quickly ordered a new unit through Home Depot.