On my mind.

When I was a kid growing up in Hyannis, my dad was a house painter and my mother was a bookkeeper. One of the greatest tensions in their marriage came every spring when my dad had to borrow money to buy supplies and equipment for the upcoming busy summer season.  Like most painters, he just made it through the Cape Cod winters, stretching every penny, hoping for interior work. Even in the best of times, spring found him short on cash. He’d wind up going to Beneficial Finance or Household Finance, and my mother would wind up angry and sure that we would lose the house because he wouldn’t be able to pay back the loan.

I wish there had been a program like Pay It Forward to help my dad get back to work and help my mom stay calm. Pay It Forward is a unique micro-loan program developed by Lower Cape Outreach Council with the advice and assistance of many local community leaders. We developed it to fill a gap in the local economy and to help the seasonal, tradespeople and business people who are so essential to our local economy.  Local, small business owners, contractors and self-employed workers can secure loans up to $2,000. We charge a nominal 1% interest on all loans and work with each client to develop a realistic payback schedule.

This is one of several proactive initiatives we have created to help those in the work force succeed.  Since 2015, we have provided 52 workers with a total of $20,000 in micro loans to jump-start painting, carpentry, landscaping and even small retail businesses throughout the Lower Cape. And, there's more good news: we have more money to lend.  So, help us share the good news.  Talk about the Pay It Forward program to your friends and colleagues.  This program is really changing lives.

 

LARRY MARSLAND
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Feel free to reach out to me anytime.

lmarsland@lcoutreach.org  

We can help.

THE OYSTER AND THE PEARL

Sometimes there really is a pearl in an oyster.  At least that’s what Daria thought when she landed a job harvesting oysters in Wellfleet. The opportunity to earn more money closer to home was the “pearl.” The job also gave the single parent more time to spend with her daughter, a student at Nauset High at the time.  Then, a norovirus suddenly closed down the entire shellfish industry—indefinitely. And with no rainy-day savings that definitely was a problem.  A friend told Daria we might be able to help. We took care of her $500 rent payment that month.  She took on cleaning jobs and other day work to get by until she could get back to the Bay.

You can help.

KEEP TRUCKING: WIN THIS  NEW TOYOTA TACOMA OR $25,000 IN CASH!

Take a chance and you could take away a huge prize during this year's super raffle, sponsored by Orleans Toyota.  First prize is $25,000 in cash or a 2017 Toyota Tacoma SR5 4x4 Truck (a $30,428 value!).   Second Prize is $1,000; Third Prize is $250. The odds of winning are in your favor.  Only 750 tickets will be sold. Tickets are $75 each or 3/$200. They're available online or by calling 508.255.0271, extension 5.  Or, stop by The Hope Chest at 58 Main Street in Orleans. The winners will be drawn at our Annual Champagne Gala on Saturday, September 16. You do not need to be present to win.  Good luck!

You (really!) helped.

SUPER RESTAURANT BLOWOUT 

BLEW OUR EXPECTATIONS!

This foodie fundraiser brought in a record-breaking  $63,185 to help people in our community.  D. Ryer  of Harwich took home the top prize--12 gift certificates to a variety of fabulous Cape restaurants. And our Second and Third Place winners, M. Hogan of Brewster and G. Schumann of Harwich Port, will also be dining out frequently in the near future.   We'd like to thank everyone who purchased raffle tickets and the 30 incredibly generous restaurant owners who made this fundraiser possible. 

GOLFING FOR GOOD

A spirited group of golfers and more than 50 sponsors made our second annual Hope Golf Tournament a swinging success. The fundraiser, held earlier this month at Ocean Edge Resort & Golf Club in Brewster, raised $23,200 for LCOC projects and programs. Many thanks to our lead sponsor, Cape Air. Take a few moments to view the other business  sponsors  that helped us tee off for a great cause.

HOPE GOLF TOURNAMENT 

LEAD SPONSOR

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JAMMIN' @ THE REP RAISED THE ROOF

Volunteer.

A TYPICAL TUESDAY
One of our volunteers shared her experiences during a “typical Tuesday” in the LCOC office. Each person was reaching out to us with a real need. Each person had a different story. Each person received the help they requested...thanks to supporters like you.

 

A woman from Harwich stopped in. Her husband works full time, and she is about to start her seasonal employment at a local restaurant. During the winter, their bills pile up, but they keep up the best they can. They needed to drive out of state to see their son, who is recovering from a tour in Iraq.

 

An 83-year-old man from Wellfleet just lost his wife of 60 years. Without her benefits, it is difficult for him to pay some of his bills. He needed help purchasing oil –just enough to hold him until the weather improved.

 

A woman from Orleans is the caregiver for her 75-year-old husband who is severely disabled. She needed to pay for auto repairs so that they could keep their frequent health appointments. She also visits the pantry.

 

Another woman from Provincetown was a bit short on her rent payment. Her daughter had been applying to colleges, and each application required a processing fee. The expenses were justified: her daughter received a full college scholarship.

 

A young man from Chatham, who was actively looking for a job, needed help with his car insurance payment so that he would have transportation once he found employment.

 

A former client from Eastham called to thank LCOC for the help he received. In appreciation, he donated some furniture to the Hope Chest.

 

For many, volunteering is a moving and rewarding experience.  If you would like to help, please contact us at volunteercentral@lcoutreach.org

BOCCE FOR A CAUSE

Benefits Lower Cape Outreach

SEASIDE LEMANS RACE

We're One Of 5 Beneficiaries

NEED & DEEDS

Spring/Summer Issue