>“It’s easy to make a buck. It’s a lot tougher to make a difference.” –Tom Brokaw
We at Winstanley Partners, like our friends and neighbors around the world, face this challenge head-on. Our 12 Ways of Giving series, posted over the holidays, detailed just a few of the causes that anyone can champion, from theater support to relaying for life, to serving coffee, coaching, and teaching.
So, one more time, with feeling — here is a wrap-up of our 12 Ways Series and some of the community and world organizations we work with. What do you do to give back in your off time? Tell us in the comments.
So, one more time, with feeling — here is a wrap-up of our 12 Ways Series and some of the community and world organizations we work with. What do you do to give back in your off time? Tell us in the comments.
Culture Clatch
Jeanne Zanetti, Director of Interactive Services for Winstanley Partners, serves as president of the Board of Directors at Berkshire Lyric in Pittsfield, Mass. The non-profit organization supports a wide range of music education programs throughout Berkshire County, offer scholarship and musical opportunities, and is dedicated to helping people of all ages to learn and hone their choral and musical talents. Jeanne assists with the group’s annual Young Musician’s Scholarship Program, the Choral Scholars program, the Berkshire Lyric’s College Choral Fest, and the summer Choral Camp. And is if that’s not enough, she sings as a member of the Berkshire Lyric Chorus.
The creative and performing arts across the Berkshires of Massachusetts is a passion of Winstanley’s Vice President and Creative Director, Ralph Frisina. As a member of the board of directors of the Colonial Theatre in Pittsfield, he dedicates time to helping develop the region’s cultural scene, namely via his work with the Berkshire Theatre Group (BTG). BTG is a performing arts powerhouse formed by the pairing of The Colonial and the Stockbridge, Mass.-based Berkshire Theatre Festival—its core philosophies (that bring creative and educational performances and events to the greater Berkshires region) are more than supported by Ralph, who assists whenever he can. His contributions include helping with the development of a new BTG brand identity and creative campaign to increase donor-ship.
The new-found free time of Winstanley’s Chief Operating Officer, Ron Thompson, has been filled. Learning recently of a now 5-year old Christian music radio station—The Q 99.7, a non-profit based in Feeding Hills, Mass.—he wanted to get involved. Last month, Ron began volunteering some time at the Underground Café, a part of The Q 99.7, bringing together his love of the station’s music and that of some local, eager young musicians. Sometimes he helps with the sound equipment, sometimes with the café’s security and hospitality…sometimes he helps serve coffee. If it means making a positive difference in the lives of youngsters, Ron is more than willing to assist, regardless of the duty.
Nate Winstanley, founder of Winstanley Partners, and his family not only support the historic, 155-year old Lenox Library, they encourage others to help as well. Upon the recent passing of Nate’s father, Nathan Winstanley Jr., Ph.D., the family opted to urge friends and other family members to offer support to the library in his memory—much of the organization’s budget comes from donations and fund-raising events. Nate’s dad, also known as Win, 91, took full advantage of the Lenox Library over the years, supporting all it has to offer, from community services to resources and programs.
The new-found free time of Winstanley’s Chief Operating Officer, Ron Thompson, has been filled. Learning recently of a now 5-year old Christian music radio station—The Q 99.7, a non-profit based in Feeding Hills, Mass.—he wanted to get involved. Last month, Ron began volunteering some time at the Underground Café, a part of The Q 99.7, bringing together his love of the station’s music and that of some local, eager young musicians. Sometimes he helps with the sound equipment, sometimes with the café’s security and hospitality…sometimes he helps serve coffee. If it means making a positive difference in the lives of youngsters, Ron is more than willing to assist, regardless of the duty.
Nate Winstanley, founder of Winstanley Partners, and his family not only support the historic, 155-year old Lenox Library, they encourage others to help as well. Upon the recent passing of Nate’s father, Nathan Winstanley Jr., Ph.D., the family opted to urge friends and other family members to offer support to the library in his memory—much of the organization’s budget comes from donations and fund-raising events. Nate’s dad, also known as Win, 91, took full advantage of the Lenox Library over the years, supporting all it has to offer, from community services to resources and programs.
We Teach, We Learn
Gene Hyatt, Winstanley Project Engineer, took a vacation last year. Did he jet away to a warm island, or relax at home? No. Instead, he tied on his hiking boots, packed a bag, and accompanied his son’s class to the local area Nature’s Classroom, one of several such camps scattered across New England. Offering a 24-hour experiential learning environment, young campers spend five days with activities such as environmental field studies, special interest classes, hiking, and folk dancing. An exhausting vacation, he admits, but one that was even more rewarding.
For nearly 10 years, the winter months have been especially busy for Winstanley’s Vice President of Account Services Mike Coakley. Armed with a whistle and clipboard, he volunteers with the Lenox (Mass.) Youth Basketball Association (LYBA), teaching skill, technique, and sportsmanship for players in grades 5 through 8. In addition, he helps with the group’s fundraisers and other events. I guess you could say Mike is an all-around team player.
Travel has proven to round out the life of Jaclyn Stevenson, Director of Public Relations and Social Media for Winstanley Partners. The communications maven studied abroad with the non-profit AFS organization. From Belgium and France to England and more, she has learned about other cultures, other views, and has gained new experiences that are lifelong partners. In learning about differences in culture, Jaclyn has found similarities, and works to support such in her daily life. Along with invaluable experiences, AFS also offers scholarships and other programs. For Jaclyn, involvement in the organization yields lifelong rewards.
Children are our Future
Sometimes the simplest gestures can mean the world to a child… and to Gigi Yablonsky, Educational Content Producer for Winstanley Partners, as well. Each year, she brightens the Christmas season for children through contributions to the local Sponsor-A-Child Christmas Program—this year, she and her husband Jack chose to supplement the gift cache at the Berkshire Community Action Council Giving Tree at Berkshire Gas, targeting specifically a 12-year old girl who loves crafts and arts, from the Berkshire Community. For Gigi, this is one of the most enjoyable parts of the holiday season.
Winstanley Partners Interactive Project Manager Holly Terry and her husband Jim, Captain with the Town of Lenox volunteer firefighters, list assisting the local Fire Department’s efforts among their regular priorities. Holly donates to the department her web designing and interactive marketing talents, and also assists with its community relations and fundraising events. And if that wasn’t enough, Holly stands in as one of Santa’s helpers for the LFD’s holiday party.
Fine Furry Friends
To Our Health…
Epitomizing the idea of helping a cause in any way possible is Winstanley Partners Project Manager Carrol Patin. He has seen several friends at the peak of stress, as they simply care for their children who are autistic. Carrol assists with graphics work for various activities hosted by the Autism Society of America’s Lafayette, La. (his hometown) chapter. And this volunteering of just a little of his time has made a world of difference for them.
Walking around a high school track has been more than just exercise for Justine Murphy, Public Relations and Communications Specialist for Winstanley Partners. For the past several years, she has dedicated time to fight a fight that so many cannot—the opponent is cancer. Some months fundraising leads Justine to the annual American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life event. She joins family members and friends each spring at the event in Union County, NC. Her fight doesn’t end there, however. Justine also chopped off 10 inches of her hair to donate to the Locks of Love charity, assisting brave, young children through their battle with what she describes as “an infuriating disease.”
Epitomizing the idea of helping a cause in any way possible is Winstanley Partners Project Manager Carrol Patin. He has seen several friends at the peak of stress, as they simply care for their children who are autistic. Carrol assists with graphics work for various activities hosted by the Autism Society of America’s Lafayette, La. (his hometown) chapter. And this volunteering of just a little of his time has made a world of difference for them.
Walking around a high school track has been more than just exercise for Justine Murphy, Public Relations and Communications Specialist for Winstanley Partners. For the past several years, she has dedicated time to fight a fight that so many cannot—the opponent is cancer. Some months fundraising leads Justine to the annual American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life event. She joins family members and friends each spring at the event in Union County, NC. Her fight doesn’t end there, however. Justine also chopped off 10 inches of her hair to donate to the Locks of Love charity, assisting brave, young children through their battle with what she describes as “an infuriating disease.”