"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!
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.
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