RiverWoods Announces Major Charitable Partnership with St. Vincent de Paul of Exeter

Exeter -- Do you represent a Seacoast area non-profit organization looking for a unique partnership and fund-raising opportunity? If yes, RiverWoods wants to hear from you.

The continuing care community is seeking to partner up with an area non-profit for the next two years; a partnership that will culminate in 2014 with a fund-raising gala for the chosen nonprofit.

The most recent gala held in October 2012 raised $85,000 for Child and Family Services of New Hampshire. Galas held in 2010 and 2008 raised $70,000, and $50,000, respectively.

Nonprofits interested in partnering with RiverWoods have until Thursday, Jan. 31, to submit an application. Applications can be accessed by clicking here. 

"This is not only an opportunity for a nonprofit to raise money, it's an opportunity for a local nonprofit to communicate their mission," said Cathleen Toomey, vice president of marketing at RiverWoods.

RiverWoods' residents will select the nonprofit based on the nonprofit's focus on family, health and well being.

During the course of the two-year partnership, representatives from the selected nonprofit are invited to RiverWoods to talk about their mission, while residents of RiverWoods volunteer for the nonprofit during the two-year period, according to Toomey.

"It's a great multi-generational opportunity. Both staff and residents really get involved," she said. "We all get to know each other really well by the end of the two-year period and by then the RiverWoods community is really invested in the agency."

The gala at the end of the partnership serves as the big fund-raiser for the nonprofit and as a celebration of the partnership, Toomey said.

"I think by the end of the partnership the non-profit will find that they reached a lot more people and a lot more people know about their mission," she said.

By Robyn Keriazes
December 11, 2012

The continuing care retirement community's auction on Oct. 13 raised $85,000 for Child and Family Services of New Hampshire. More than 400 people attended the event.

"We're just stunned. We're so thankful to everyone who has helped make it a success," said RiverWoods Executive Assistant Penny Teodorczyk. "We so loved the process of working with CFS, and it makes all the process worth it when you're able to give such a sizable donation that you know will do so much good for children in the Seacoast area."

This is the most money that RiverWoods has raised at any of its major fundraisers, which have been held once every two years since RiverWoods opened in 1994. The 2010 gala raised $70,000, and the 2008 gala raised $50,000.

"I'm just in awe," said Pam Harkins, a RiverWoods resident who served on the auction committee. "I thought we hadn't raised as much as the last time, and then we beat it by $15,000. I couldn't believe it."

Teodorczyk attributed the event's success to the generosity of donors and sponsors and speculated that the improving economy may have put more people in a position to give.

Auction items were donated by community members including RiverWoods residents and local businesses. According to Teodorczyk, the highest-raising item was a getaway to Italy.

The money raised will support outreach services for runaway, homeless and at-risk youth; prenatal and early-childhood services for low-income families; child abuse prevention work; mental health counseling and therapy; and early intervention work for children who have developmental concerns.

The event was the culmination of a two-year partnership between RiverWoods and CFS. Other ways RiverWoods residents have helped CFS throughout the past two years include cleaning its Camp Spaulding in the fall, volunteering for its Christmas is for Kids Radiothon and running in a charity road race.

"We're just very impressed with the staff, the board and the residents at RiverWoods. They're really one of the most committed groups that we've worked with," said Mike Ostrowski, president of Child and Family Services.

Close to 100 RiverWoods residents volunteered throughout the planning and execution stages of the event, said Ben French, marketing communications coordinator for RiverWoods.

"It's something our residents have done all their lives, and when they move here they like to continue supporting their communities in any way they can," Teodorczyk said.

Now, RiverWoods is looking for a beneficiary for its next major fund-raising event in 2014. Residents have chosen the theme "family health and well-being" for the partnership, which includes topics such as housing, hunger and child health.

"I want to see an organization that does the most good for the most people, where everyone can recognize and identify the need," Harkins said.

Organizations interested in pursuing a partnership have already begun contacting RiverWoods, French said.

The deadline for non-profits to apply to become the recipient of the 2014 fundraising event is Thursday, Jan. 31, 2013. The final decision will be announced in April. Applications can be accessed by clicking here.

EXETER —Residents at RiverWoods Retirement Community are gathering auction items and sponsorships for the non-profit's Live and Silent Auction to benefit Child and Family Services of New Hampshire (CFS). RiverWoods' 8th Gala Auction is set for Saturday, Oct. 13 starting at 5:30 p.m. This year's auction features golf outings, ski getaways, symphony and theatre tickets, handcrafted items, a sleigh ride for four and more!

From the first year RiverWoods opened, the community has held a fundraiser for another local non-profit, and that eighteen year tradition of investing in social capital continues this year with the help of generous sponsors, Bernson Legal, PLLC, Brown & Company Design, People's United Bank, Lecesse Construction and Greystone & Company. The recipient, CFS, was selected by a resident committee from a pool of local non-profit organizations. Event volunteers hope other civic minded individuals and businesses will join the auction effort as well.

"The RiverWoods community is honored to be raising support and awareness for Child and Family Services." said RiverWoods CEO, Justine Vogel. "CFS provides vital services for one of the most underserved and vulnerable populations and we know the RiverWoods community, as well as the greater Seacoast community will step up to lend a hand."

 

In 2010, RiverWoods raised a record $70,000 for CFS at a similar live and silent auction and gala evening. More than 300 attendees from the greater seacoast community attended. The staff and residents of RiverWoods donated hundreds of hours of time to plan and prepare for the evening. RiverWoods and other event sponsors hope this year's fundraiser will be an even bigger benefit for local families in need.

In addition to chances to bid some wonderful auction items, attendees will also enjoy wine pairings and gourmet delights. Celebrity auctioneers for 2012 include Mike Morin of WZID and Kevin Skarupa, WMUR-TV Meteorologist.

Tickets for the gala event are still available. The cost is $60.00 per person with all proceeds to benefit Child and Family Services of NH. If you are interested in tickets, donating an item or becoming an event sponsor, contact Penny Teodorczyk at 603-658-3031 or by This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it