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Samaritans' 2014 Breakfast for Hope
Each year, our Breakfast for Hope offers an amazing program that is informative and inspirational. The Breakfast, this year titled, "Celebrating 40 Years of Compassion," highlighted the founding of Samaritans in Boston in 1974 in the basement of the Arlington Street Church with rotary phones and 22 volunteers, and all of the wonderful events that have occurred in the past 40 years.  
Samaritans volunteers and directors Sally Casper (left) and Shirley Karnovsky (right) who worked with founder Monica Dickens, along with Monica's daughter, Prudence Stratton (center)
 

The program included awards to the Margaret Stewart Lindsay Foundation (our Crisis Center's namesake) and to Samaritans' founder Monica Dickens (accepted on her behalf by her daughter Prudence Stratton); an inspirational video highlighting volunteers over the years; a moving testimonial from Debbie DiMasi, Director of Grief Support Services which brought everyone to their feet; and moving comments from honorary 

event chair Mayor Walsh. It was a truly special event, with Samaritans from over the years and those new to the community coming together to celebrate our 40 years providing compassionate befriending to those in need.

Mayor Walsh speaking at the Breakfast for Hope

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Samaritans 2014 Breakfast for Hope Video



 








We were thrilled with the generous donor response that this year's Breakfast for Hope received. If you would like to make a donation in support of this event, click here:  donate_now_blue.gif
 
Join us for the 16th Annual 5K!

We will continue to celebrate our 40 years of service as the 16th Annual Samaritans "Run for Someone Else's Life" 5K and Family Fun Festival which will be held on Saturday, September 27, 2014 in Artesani Park in Brighton, MA. Registration is now open! Last year, over 3,000 joined us to raise awareness for Samaritans and celebrate life. Thanks to everyone who participated, over $350,000 was generated for suicide prevention. This year, we have raised our goal to $400,000 to raise much needed funds. We hope you will join us and the 18 already-formed teams to celebrate life!

In the past, we have had an unlimited number of spots for those who wish to run the 5K. This year, for safety reasons, we must limit the number of runners to 800. If you wish to run the 5K in September, please sign up early and encourage your friends, family and potential team members who are interested in running to do the same. There is no limit to the number of people who can register as walkers!

There are many ways to get involved in the 2014 5K:
  • Walk or Run! The course is a sanctioned 5K Race, but many people choose to walk the beautiful course. Registration is currently open at our 5K website.
  • Organize a 5K Team! Participating in this heart-warming event with family and friends can make your experience even more memorable.
  • Bring your family! There will be face painting, live music, giveaways and other events - including a raffle - and free food that keep everyone smiling!
  • Volunteer! On the day of the event, we need close to 200 event volunteers. Volunteers help with registration, course management, handing out water, parking, the family fun festival and much more!  
  • Can't make it but still want to be involved? Sign up as a virtual participant or make a donation!   
  • Become a sponsor! If your business is interested in sponsoring the 5K, contact us! There are a variety of sponsorship levels for financial and in-kind donations to help us cover the many costs of hosting the 5K, all of which come with company recognition! 
Any way you choose to get involved, you will be helping reduce incidences of suicide, educate the public about suicide prevention, and reduce the stigma associated with suicide.

If you have any questions about the 5K Run/Walk and Family Fun Festival, please contact Samaritans' Development Coordinator, Eve Rabinowitz at [email protected] or call 617-536-2460.
The 2014 Marathon Team Keeps Breaking Records!
The Boston Marathon may have taken place in April, but the marathon team is still raising funds and awareness. To date, they have raised over $254,000 and there seems to be no stopping them. We are so proud of this amazing team and their accomplishments, and we are glad that the majority of our twenty-four runners were able to join us at the Breakfast for Hope (pictured right). A special shout-out goes to Lauren Gablinske who raised an astounding $35,000 making her one of the top twenty fundraisers out of all of the charity runners participating in the Boston Marathon, and Samaritans' most successful fundraiser for a single event! To read why these runners wanted to run the distance for suicide prevention and check on their fundraising, head over to their crowdrise page. If you are interested in receiving the application for our 2015 marathon team, email us.
Tri-ing for Suicide Prevention!
Last Saturday, Kara Morrissey and Erica Omobono took part in the Escape the Cape Sprint Triathlon as members of the Samaritans' Running Community, which provides support to those participating in athletic events of their choosing to raise funds and awareness for suicide prevention. They first became involved with Samaritans through the 5K as members of Paul's Team, a team created in memory of Kara's cousin, Paul, who died by suicide in 2010 at the age of 20. The pair passed their fundraising goal of $1,500 with a few days to spare, and said that the wind and waves made swimming the toughest part of the triathlon but otherwise it was a great race. Kara told us, "We feel so honored to be representing the Samaritans at the Escape the Cape Triathlon and couldn't think of a better cause!" If you are interested in learning more about Samaritans' Running Community, email us!
Goodbye Kirstie!
After five years in the United States and three years at Samaritans, Development Manager Kirstie Crawford Cusick is heading back to Scotland. We gathered in the training room on May 19th to say goodbye and celebrate all of the wonderful things that Kirstie has brought to Samaritans during her three years with us. Though Kirstie was technically in charge of our grants, foundation, and corporate relationships, she was a true team player who was involved in every aspect of Samaritans from the helpline to the marathon team. We will miss her, but wish her and her new husband, Dan, the best of luck when they return to Scotland at the end of the month. If you would like to make a donation in honor of Kirstie's work at Samaritans, click here.
Out and About: Community Outreach and Education
In May, Community Education and Outreach Program Manager Kelley Cunningham, along with Commonwealth Corps member Lynda Wallack, met with over 700 people for seminars at:
  • ABCD Family Planning (Boston)
  • VHL Alliance (Brookline)
  • Community Resources for Justice (Dorchester)
  • Martha Eliot Health Fair (Jamaica Plain)
  • Goodwill (Roxbury)
  • Duxbury Community Gathering (Duxbury)
  • NeedyMeds (Gloucester)
  • Woburn Senior Center (Woburn)
  • Neuro Rehab Management (Melrose)
  • Massachusetts Compulsive Gambling Commission (Boston)
  • Maimonides School (Brookline)
  • Newton Cares (Newton)
  • Miles River Middle School (Hamilton)
  • Wakefield Parent Workshop (Wakefield)
  • Algonquin Regional High School (Northborough)
  • Whitcomb Middle School (Marlborough)
  • Galvin Middle School (Wakefield) 
If you would like our Community Outreach and Education team to speak at your school or event, contact Kelley Cunningham .
Beginning of Summer, End of Fiscal Year
Early summer is always a time of transition and reflection for Samaritans. Our fiscal year ends on June 30th, and this is the time that we review the past year and set our annual budget and service goals for the year to come. Samaritans is a true public charity in that all of our services are offered for free, and we depend upon the generosity of the community in providing our training, support groups and crisis services in all of the communities we serve. Would you help us add to our financial security with a donation at the end of our fiscal year?
 
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