Dear Friends,
Nearly seven years ago when I founded SPUR, I saw the need for an organization through which children, families, and individuals of all ages and abilities could give back. I envisioned opportunities catering to busy schedules and offerings which ranged a spectrum of interest areas. Through it all, I hoped that we’d unlock our innate ability to SPUR love and good deeds, build stronger communities, and cultivate a culture where volunteerism became a way of life and young people harnessed their ability to be change makers in this world.
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SPUR became all of that and so much more! Since our founding, together with a cumulative 3,500 volunteers and 5,000 donors, sponsors, and partners, some of our historical impact includes:
- Growing and distributing 3,200 lbs of organic produce for local food pantries.
- Preparing 3,000 local youth for back-to-school by providing new backpacks and school supplies.
- Supporting 3,000 neighbors at the holidays with winter essentials and meaningful gifts.
- Cleaning beaches, parks, and backyards 189 times, yielding nearly 2,500 bags of trash and debris.
- Cooking and serving nearly 9,800 portions of homemade meals while distributing 3,200 personal care kits to local shelters.
And these highlights are just some of our collective impact! Over a nearly seven-year period we’ve seen a 140% growth in the number of volunteers we’ve mobilized and last year alone, despite the global pandemic, we accrued nearly 2,500 hours of volunteer time! I could not be prouder of this incredible growth and of the impact we’ve made together through SPUR.
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Our once all volunteer-run organization has slowly evolved, as we have taken measured steps toward investing in our future while building a dedicated leadership team to ensure that SPUR continues to offer quality, impactful offerings for years to come, and for our first six years, volunteering as Executive Director, I have enjoyed a front row seat to this work.
Looking ahead, we are approaching another exciting milestone -- hiring an Executive Director to grow SPUR to the next level of success. To me, being able to successfully pass the torch demonstrates our strength and is a mark to be celebrated by all who helped SPUR blossom from an idea around my dining table to the vibrant, multifaceted organization that we are today.
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This transition invites passionate and experienced candidates to apply, boldly leading SPUR to new heights, while allowing me to narrow my focus on leading SPUR’s fundraising efforts and continuing to serve as a member of the Board, alongside others who are dedicated to our exciting growth.
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I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you, truly, from the bottom of my heart for your partnership in moving toward a shared vision of carving out a space in our local communities that laid the foundation for everyday ways to make a positive impact. In my opinion, SPUR attracts some of the most compassionate individuals I have ever met and I will forever be blessed to have served with you in this capacity.
SPUR is breathtaking and as founder, an incredibly proud legacy to reflect on.
With gratitude,
Jocelyn Cook
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SAVE THE DATE
Planning is underway in hopes to gather for our annual Summer Fling
July 17, 2021
6:30-9:30pm
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