"TAKE A SEAT, MAKE A DIFFERENCE" FRIENDSHIP CHAIR PROJECT 

Changing children’s lives one chair at a time.

Imagine...

Imagine you are the sole provider – working a
minimum wage hourly job (or two in many cases) in order to support your family  – but without enough financial means to provide care for your child in a safe and educational environment. 

The standard cost of private or public childcare in Monroe County is $250 per week, per child. If not funded by declining Monroe County subsidies, families are required to pay this weekly amount...impossible for a family that makes roughly $8 an hour. Although these parents are eager to work, they often have to quit their jobs because they can’t afford the cost of childcare.

The Friendship Children’s Center

For over 85 years, the Friendship Children’s Center has provided creative and educational care within a safe environment for Rochester’s poorest families. Parents feel comfortable leaving their child while they work, enabling every family the opportunity to graduate from poverty.

Currently, State and County subsidies don’t cover the cost of necessary expenses and programs the Center provides. The only way that Friendship Children’s Center can continue to take care of these children is through the help of friends in the community. This is where you can help!

“Take a Seat, Make a Difference”

“Take A Seat, Make A Difference” Friendship Chair Project has brought together a select group of local artists to repurpose a vintage auditorium chair that will be auctioned to raise funds for the Friendship Children’s Center.

Each chair is an exquisite work of art. Unique in detail and theme, the revitalization of each chair was executed with the knowledge that every individual mark, brush stroke and finish would resonate with discerning bidders. Each artist has invested their
time and fortune with no reimbursement. A true gift in every sense of the word.

Pull Up a Chair – Be a Friend

From September 11, until midnight October 9, you’ll have an opportunity to bid on your favorite chair. This is a one-of-a -kind opportunity for you to own a unique work of art from one of our talented area artists.

Each final winning bid will help us get closer to our goal of raising $10,000 to help the children of our community. Take a seat. You’ll be making a difference!

To visit our online auction go to: www.biddingforgood.com/Friendship

On Exhibit at Rundel Library

Throughout the Online Auction (Sept. 11- Oct.9), the “ Friendship Chairs “ will be on exhibit at Harold Hacker Hall/Rundel Memorial Building, Central Library, 115 South Avenue, Rochester, NY. You can view all 41 during normal library business hours. 

Artists’ Closing Reception

The Exhibition will culminate with an ‘Artists’ Closing Reception’ on Thursday, October 9, 2014  from 5-7 PM. The event is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served.This is your opportunity to meet the talented artists who participated and make those last minute bids from your smart phone or from your tablet when you get home.

Would you prefer to make a donation?
Our online auction link will also accept any donations you would like to make to the Friendship Children’s Center. We are a 501c3 not-for-profit organization.

“Take a Seat, Make a Difference” Friendship Chair Auction benefits  the children of our community in several ways:

·      Provides a Scholarship Fund for FCC Families that can’t afford the minimum payment.
·         Provides an Emergency Fund for FCC families with immediate needs for necessities like                         food/diapers/clothing due to catastrophic or forseen circumstances.
·         Provides for an Arts/Cultural Fund so that the disadvantaged youth of FCC have access to                       outside educational programs including art  museums, farms, parks, theater, etc.

To visit our online auction go to: www.biddingforgood.com/Friendship

THANK YOU TO OUR FRIENDSHIP CHAIR ARTISTS:
Adrianna Laracuente 
Andrea Sands 
Anne McCune
Austin Terrigino
Brittany Lu
Charlotte DiGennaro
Christine Knoblauch
Chynna Moultrie
Connie Ehindero
Dan Scally
Debra VanWert-Sneeringer
Diane Field
Enuma Okafor
Francine Miller
Frank Argento
Hope Junot
James Kegler
Jazlyn Oliver
Judy Nguyen
Katie Murrer
Karina Reyes
Kat Sweeney
Lisa Livoti Struble
Maddie Bliss
Maria Reed
Mark Groaning
Mary Buchan
Matthew DeSanctis
Mickey Pardita
Pat Deluca
Quantianna Leslie McNair
Richard Harvey
Richmond Futch Jr
Rick Crowley
Rosemary Pergolizzi
Sarah Rutherford
Shea Crowley
Students of Durand Eastman Intermediate School
Terence Brooks
Valerie Milian
Virginia Sullivan

SPECIAL THANKS TO:
The Women of DRAW • Friends & Foundation of Rochester Public Library •  Village Gate/Stern Properties • Diane Thresh Graphic Design • St. Vincent Press • Rich Shannon Photography • Scale2 Graphic Displays • Knights of Columbus Council 4691 • Kay Joslyn • Dan Scally • Edna Silvernail

PROGRAM COMMITTEE:
Joi DiGennaro-McMurty, Executive Director, Friendship Children’s Center Maureen Bischoff, FCC  Board Member Committee Chair • Debra VanWert-Sneeringer, DRAW Chair

Current Day Friendship Child

1926 Friendship Child

Friendship Children's Center 310 Fernwood Avenue Rochester, NY

Friendship Chair Artists from the School of the Arts

Friendship Artist Diane Fields working on finishing details of her chair "Woodstock"

Friendship Chair Artist Matthew DeSanctis and his chair " Abandoned Chair No.2 "

Harold Hacker Hall/Rundel Memorial Building Central Library 115 South Ave Rochester, NY

CO-SPONSOR - "Take A Seat, Make A Difference" Friendship Chair Project UNDERWRITER - Friendship Chair Online Auction

Co- Sponsor - "Take A Seat, Make A Difference" Friendship Chair Project