This year is zooming by so far. So much for my resolution to blog daily. Apologies to the none of you who are disappointed that this is not the case! Anyway, even when I'm busy, I'm trying to do my little things, so here are the highlights since our last catch up:
- On what would have been Sean's 36th birthday, we announced that for third time, the Sean McGrath Fund would make a grant to our old friends at Sweet Relief, this time in the amount of $1000. They're the first group that we've funded more than once, let alone a three-peat, and we're thrilled to be able to continue doing our small part to make sure their vital services to musicians in crisis can continue. We're awaiting the results of our January matching donor challenge, as the final numbers have yet to arrive from one of our online donation conduits, but we should know what the campaign's final tally in a week or two!
- A few days later, my SMcGF co-founder Jessie and I were able to take advantage of an opportunity we only get a few times a year at best: to visit one of the sites we help to fund! This time around, it was a donor reception at Gilda's Club NYC, where Sean went when he was ill and where Jessie went for support after we (but especially she) lost him. It was great for me to see the place and meet some of the folks involved day-to-day, and great for Jessie to return after a few years, this time as a supporter rather than a member. They're an amazing group, so get behind them if you're able--and most definitely tap into their services if you or one of your loved ones is stricken with cancer!
- On the Carroll Park front, I requested a quote on a map of the park during its renovation in 1892 (likely its first redux) that I found while up to my neck in Google research. It seems to be in the NYU archives, even though it's listed in the Brooklyn Historical Society online catalog. I would LOVE to get a reproduction framed and displayed in our park house! I came up with (I think) the genius idea of toting my laptop and printer/scanner to our potluck and this spring's volunteer reception, so that when folks have clippings and photos, they don't have to let their precious memories out of sight for a second while we duplicate them. I'm hoping to build a really sweet digital archive of all things park-wise over the past 30 years (as well as smatterings from the past 125 or so, I hope!).
- Also, since our last check-in, I packaged and shipped 11 items that sold on Amazon and half.com for the Sean McGrath Fund. I also got word from a music industry supporter that he'll be sending a couple of boxes of CDs soon to help replenish our inventory. Hooray!
