On
August 22, 2013, the Napper Tandy’s Flyer 4 mile road race will make its
triumphant return! As excited as
everyone in the local running community is about having the race back in
action, it’s important to recognize the truly amazing foundation the proceeds
are going to help. Early on during the
event planning, the race committee chose the Norwood Circle of Hope as the beneficiary
of the net proceeds. Not all of you may
know about this foundation, but it changes the lives of everyone it connects
with. I sat down with Tim McDonough, the
current Circle of Hope president, so he could explain the nuts and bolts of the
organization, as well as why they do what they do.
For those who aren’t aware, what exactly
does the Norwood Circle of Hope do and how did it get its start?
The
Norwood Circle of Hope Foundation was established in 1998 in memory of Michelle
Kennedy, a young Norwood resident who suffered from leukemia. During Michelle’s battle, people from all
over Norwood joined together to support her in her time of need. When she passed away, the foundation was
started to continue that spirit.
Circle
of Hope assists Norwood families with expenses that accompany a catastrophic
illness depending on their need; everything from medical bills, transportation
to treatment centers, equipment, and cost of living expenses.
How did you first become involved with
Norwood’s Circle of Hope?
I
was on the board of selectmen, and Lee Kennedy came to me and asked me if I
wanted to come be on the board. I knew
about her daughter, Michelle, but didn’t really know about the
organization. We started from
scratch. Our first donation was from the
Boch Fund which gave us a comfortable start.
We hit the ground running with fundraisers like the Luminary Night. More and more people started giving donations
and it all goes back to help people from Norwood.
How have you seen the organization grow
in your time as a member?
We’ve
become a family really. We meet once a
month at Lee’s house, and we just kick around ideas. Requests are all anonymous, and the stories
can really bring a tear to your eye. The
foundation truly fills a real need because there aren’t many groups like us. A lot of organizations give money only to
research or cures. We’re there for
people with nowhere else to turn, and whose bills are piling up.
What’s one goal you as an organization
have going forward?
We
would all love to make sure that we always have enough resources to fill any
need presented to us. Everyone on the
board enjoys the fundraising and the connection it forges with the community,
but it’d be great to be self-sustaining one day with an endowment.
Highlight one of your favorite memories
from the past 15 years you’ve spent with the Circle of Hope?
The
monthly meetings are a group of a dozen people sitting around a dining room
table, enjoying each other’s company and helping people. It’s good for Norwood and sends a very
positive message about the town. That’s
what I look back fondly on the most.
Tim
and the Norwood Circle of Hope are a wonderful example of the incredible things
that can be accomplished right in one’s hometown. What you can do, as a physically and socially
active local runner, is come out for the Napper Tandy’s Flyer. The person you end up helping by
participating could be across town or just next door. Come help us help each other and have a great
time while we’re at it!
Thanks to guest blogger and Charles River Running Intern, Sean Sullivan for this interview!
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