Know and share the symptoms: rapid, unusual increase in breast size; breast heaviness, soreness, aching or stabbing pain; redness, rash, blotchiness or warmth of breast skin; a “bug bite” or “bruise” that doesn’t go away; persistent itching of breast or nipple; skin ridging, thickening or dimpling like an orange peel; nipple discharge, flattening, retracting or change in color; or swollen lymph nodes under the arm or above the collar bone. See your health care provider immediately. Get a proper diagnosis by biopsy.
Charity Girls of Northeastern Massachusetts Distributes $16,500 to Community Organizations
Local women’s philanthropy group has distributed over $90,000 in its six years to twenty-four different non-profit charitable organizations North of Boston.
NORTHEAST, Mass., November, 2015 – The Charity Girls of Northeast Massachusetts, an innovative philanthropic group of women from the greater North Shore and Merrimack Valley, met recently to distribute the collective $16,500 raised during the past year. A representative of each of the six deserving North of Boston charitable organizations received a check at a celebratory dinner on December 3rd in Georgetown. “Charity Girls of Northeast, Massachusetts is extremely pleased to be able to distribute grants that will enhance the programs of several organizations North of Boston. Participating in this group provides a tangible opportunity to positively impact our communities,” said Jude Martino, Founder, Charity Girls of Northeast Massachusetts.
The Charity Girls of Northeast Massachusetts is an innovative philanthropic group of two dozen women from the greater North Shore and Merrimack Valley. Started by Jude Martino as a creative way to support non-profit organizations in her community, and imitating a similar group in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands. Charity Girls is modeled after a traditional giving circle that allows members to collectively raise money, decide on the use of those funds, and make donations to charities of their choice.
In return for a year-long commitment and a monthly donation, each member enjoys a tax-deductible dinner with friends and the ability to be a philanthropist in her community. Members team up to host one dinner per year in their homes, and invite a local charity to present to the group. Annually, the Charity Girls vote to grant a portion of their combined funds to causes of their choice.
The Essex County Community Foundation (ECCF) collects the pooled donations and manages the fund affording the group the benefits of non-profit status without the administrative tasks involved. The Charity Girls NEMA Fund was established at ECCF in October 2009, and the first dinner was held in November of that year.
By the end of 2015, its sixth year, Charity Girls had raised and distributed a total of $91,500 to twenty-four different non-profit charitable organizations.
A Giant Thank You to Jack Huang, CEO of the Douzo, Basho and ShabuMaru Restaurants in Boston, who sent Kevin Wery and Cindy Laney of Catering to You!, to decorate our meeting space for the holidays! It is absolutely beautiful and so welcoming to our support group members.
Jack Huang and Nan, supporters of Hope and Friendship MBCF.
Betty J. Borry offers fantastic retreats in the Spring, Winter and Fall for breast cancer patients at any stage. Visit their website at: bjbbreastcancerretreats.org
