Accomplishments

Monthly: Connect in the Community ~ Meal service at Lifebridge. To date we have engaged 164 households in preparing 2,100 servings of food and mobilized 103 volunteers ages 4 and up to serve.

Regularly: Provide Opportunities for Youth to Learn ~ We offer thoughtful and engaging workshops appropriate for youth ages 5-10, designed to provide interactive opportunities to engage with peers, have guided discussions on a variety of topics such as volunteerism and learn about other cultures through the arts.

Monthly: Connect in the Community ~ We collection of travel size toiletries which are then assembled into kits by youth in the community. To date we have prepared and distributed close to 1,482 personal care kits to shelters in Salem. Travel size toiletries can be dropped off to our collection bit at Shubie's.

Weekly: Inspire Good Deeds ~ We arrange and drop off flowers to individuals in the community who we know could use a bit of unexpected cheer, or leave randomly on front stoops throughout the community as a random act of kindness with a card. Flowers are provided by the Marblehead Flower House.

September 29, 2016: SPUR receives nonprofit of the year award from the Marblehead Chamber of Commerce. Read about all 2016 recipients here.

August 22, 2016: Connect in the Community ~ Provided 587 K - 12 grade students who reside in Marblehead, Salem, Swampscott & Lynn with new backpacks full of school supplies.
June 16, 2016: Empowered Youth ~ Awarded our 2nd Seed Grant to two, 7th grade boys committed to removing graffiti decades old from a seawall in Marblehead, MA. Photos of their project can be seen here. The transformation is remarkable!
June 5, 2016: Connect in the Community ~ Planted our Community Roots Garden, a 540 sq. ft. space in which we are growing organic produce for the food pantry.
May 31, 2016: Empowered Youth ~ Awarded our 1st Seed Grant to an 8th grade boy in Swampscott, MA. who will work with a mentor over the next three months to sharpen his plan for an annual drive to collect Mobile Comfort Bags for children removed from their home in emergency situations by the Department of Child and Family Services. “I came up with this project because my own family is a foster family. It has changed my life completely…it has made me realize how fortunate and how safe our lives are. One night a little girl came to our house on an emergency placement. She arrived with just a few toys but no clothes or toiletries and a garbage bag. This is where the idea for my project began”.
April 30, 2016: Mobilize Volunteers ~ 126 individuals (59 adults and 67 children between the ages of 1 - 14 cleaned trash and debris from 13 parks, playgrounds and beaches.
April 2, 2016: Connect in the Community ~ 10 adults and 13 children between the ages of 3 - 14 spent the morning making homemade dog treats and planting cat grass which was then given to shelter animals.

December 16, 2015: Connect in the Community ~ Completed our Holiday Cheer Drive which provided winter essentials and meaningful gifts to 443 children in and around the community who otherwise would not have received gifts this holiday season.

November 9, 2015: Provide Opportunities for Youth to Learn ~ Presented to a local Daisy Troop on the evening they received their "Make a difference in the world" badge. We then assembling 86 personal care kits for clients of Healing Abused Working for Change (HAWC).

November 5, 2015: Connect in the Community ~ Organized a book party wherein members of the community attended, purchased childrens books they would like for the little ones in their lives and in turn we earned credit to purchase books for deserving children this holiday season. In all, we were able to purchase 107 to be distributed this winter.

September 20, 2015: Connect in the Community ~ SPUR holds First Annual Family Fun Day where 227 members of the community came out to delight in some good ol' fashion fun. Read more here.

July 25 & August 2, 2015: Mobilize Volunteers ~ 58 adults and 28 youth between the ages of 3-16yrs cleaned and painted a school in Marblehead, MA benefitting 18-22yr olds in the special education community.

June 17, 2015: SPUR's Founder and Executive Director was recognized by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (Governor Charles D. Baker, Lieutenant Governor Karyn E. Polito, along with the House of Representatives and the Commission on the Status of Women) for the work SPUR is doing in the community.

June 6, 2015: Inspire Good Deeds ~ Partnered with Chase the Chill, a grassroots movement to provide those in need with free scarves and hats this coming winter. SPUR mobilized volunteers who committed to begin knitting and crocheting to create scarves and hats to be given to Chase the Chill this winter for distribution throughout Lynn, MA.

May 19, 2015: Connect in the Community ~ Assisted a partially paralyzed member of the community with grocery shopping, meal preparation and coordinated meetings for the individual to obtain long-term assistance from a home health aid.

May 9, 2015: Mobilize Volunteers ~ Supported The Junior Aid Society by mobilizing 28 volunteers to execute day of logistics during the Beach to Beach 5k.

April 28, 2015: Connect in the Community ~ Assisted a member of the community with obtaining a new washer/dryer. Marblehead Appliance installed the new pieces free of charge.

April 16, 2015: SPUR received our non-profit 501(c)3 designation from the IRS

March 22, 2015: Provide Opportunities for Youth to Learn ~ SPUR enrichment workshop - 11, 3-6yr olds and 5, 7-10yr olds participated in age appropriate workshops which introduced the children to another culture and provided an opportunity to learn about that culture through art and music. The workshops aim to highlight our many similarities, encourage greater community.

February 14, 2015: Provide Opportunities for Youth to Learn ~ SPUR enrichment workshop - Local children learn lessons about kindness. Read more.

February 7, 2015: Mobilize Volunteers ~ Day of Service - cleared 17 hydrants throughout the community which were buried in snow.

February (the month of): Mobilize Volunteers ~ With the snowiest month, or season for that matter we have ever seen, SPUR volunteers were mobilized 72 times to clear snow for elderly the community.

December 24, 2014: Connect in the Community ~ Delivered Holiday Cheer. Cygnet Bakery in Marblehead, MA donated dozens of baked treats which were delivered to both Lifebridge and The Plummer Home in Salem, MA. Additionally, we were able to relay word of an 18mo old girl in need of winter clothing and in less than one hour, members of the Marblehead, Swampscott and Salem community came together and donated six, 50 gallon plastic bags bursting full with winter gear, new toys, healthy snacks, blankets, books, diapers, wipes and more.

December 19, 2014: Mobilize Volunteers ~ Assisted Community of Friends with their 12th annual stocking drive which provided 503 area children in need with stockings containing gifts, personal care items, warm clothing, toys, and school supplies.

November 22, 2014: Mobilize Volunteers ~ Day of Service - Despite chilly temperatures, 23 adults and 25 children between the ages of 2-14 raked a total of 176 bags of leaves at 7 houses in Marblehead, MA.

November 20, 2014: Mobilize Volunteers ~ Community members prepared 100 servings of Thanksgiving sides, which were delivered to On the Rise, a Women's Day Program located in Cambridge, MA.

November 2, 2014: Mobilize Volunteers ~ Day of Service ~ 17 adults and 16 children spent 2 hours working side by side, laughing, getting to know one another and teaching children by example about community service. In all, we raked a total of 92 bags of leaves, met a few neighbors, lightened the load for some and departed with joyful hearts.

September 1, 2014: SPUR is born to Inspire Good Deeds, Mobilize Volunteers, Connect theCommunity and Provide Opportunities for Youth to Learn