November 25, 2020 at 12:53 p.m.
NATH-Frederick Place to host critical end-of-year fundraisers
Homeless shelter seeks donations
NATH-Frederick Place to host critical end-of-year fundraisers
By Stephanie Kuski-
Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, NATH-Frederick Place has continued to serve Northwoods residents while providing an open atmosphere of dignity, hope and support.
NATH executive director Tammy Modic said the number of individuals residing at Frederick Place has remained steady, hovering around 10 to 12 residents at any given time, but the average length of stay has increased since the pandemic began.
COVID-19 has also hindered NATH's ability to host many of its annual fundraisers, Modic added, which has led to a significant deficit in their annual fundraising goal.
Roughly half of NATH's fundraising events that were scheduled this year had to be canceled due to COVID-related restrictions. Modic noted those cancellations equate to an approximate $35,000 deficit in the organization's fundraising goal, with fundraisers making up over a quarter of their total annual budget.
This fundraising deficit also comes at a time when Frederick Place staff are bracing for a potential increase in residents.
The temporary federal eviction moratorium currently protecting individuals at risk of eviction for nonpayment of rent is currently scheduled to expire on Dec. 31, at which time residents who still owe rent may be subject to eviction.
As Modic noted there is some concern that residency numbers will significantly increase once the moratorium expires, many of NATH's end-of-year fundraisers are coming at a crucial time.
Although NATH was able to host a handful of annual fundraisers such as the Golf Scramble and Ride For The Homeless, Modic said the funds they raised were down considerably from last year. The Golf Scramble, for example, garnered approximately half of the funds NATH raised last year.
But on the other hand, Modic noted a number of individuals and local organizations have recently held fundraisers on behalf of NATH.
Anchors Peter Dubois and Dan Hagen of WJFW Newswatch 12, for example, participated in "no shave November" to raise funds benefitting NATH. The duo has already reached their $3,500 goal.
To put those numbers in perspective, on average it costs $50 per day to house one resident at Frederick Place, so that $3,500 donation will allow 10 individuals to stay at Frederick Place for one week at no cost to them.
In addition to these individual efforts, NATH is also hosting a number of fundraisers through the end of the year to make up for the current fundraising deficit.
NATH's "Pints & Pasties" fundraiser will continue through the end of November. Punch cards can be redeemed for a Rhinelander Brewing Co. pint and a frozen pasty from Joe's Pasty Shop. Those are available for $15 at Frederick Place, Joe's Pasty Shop or at the Rhinelander Brewing Co.
NATH-Frederick Place hosted its first Facebook auction Nov. 20-22, but Modic said they will host at least two more online auctions Nov. 27-29 and Dec. 4-6.
Themed gift baskets with items donated by local community members will be auctioned off to the highest bidder and 100% of the profits will benefit NATH-Frederick Place. Visit Frederick Place on Facebook to bid on their online auction.
NATH's "Stuff A Truck" fundraiser will take place from noon to 6 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 10 at Frederick Place. The goal of the event is to stuff the truck - loaned by Rhinelander Auto Center - with goods from NATH's wish list, such as laundry baskets, pillows, toilet paper, bath towels, sidewalk salt and garbage bags. Gift cards and monetary donations will also be accepted to benefit Frederick Place residents.
"We are blessed to have a community that steps up... and every little bit helps," Modic commented. "Not only are we trying to finish out 2020 strong from a fundraising standpoint, but already knowing that 2021 is going to look very different."
Next year, NATH's ommunity outreach and fundraising committee will likely continue to look for creative ways to host fundraisers even if pandemic-related restrictions continue. Modic noted they have already postponed their annual anniversary benefit scheduled for February 2021 due to COVID concerns, but she said she still hopes to do something special for Frederick Place's tenth anniversary.
In addition to these fundraisers, there are other avenues to contribute to the continued success of NATH-Frederick Place. Individuals or organizations can sign up to donate a meal or make a tribute donation in honor of a friend or relative, and NATH publishes an updated wish list of needed items in their monthly newsletter.
Another goal Modic noted is for Frederick Place to hit 2,020 likes on its Facebook page this year, and they are less than 100 likes away from their goal. This way, simply liking their page, sharing a post and ultimately starting a dialogue about homelessness can be an important means of supporting individuals in our community.
"Our youngest residents have been two days old and the oldest have been 78 years old," Modic commented. "The face of those experiencing homelessness can look very different than maybe what people think."
Links to donate, volunteering opportunities and a full list of upcoming NATH events can be found on their website at www.nathnorthwoods.com, or call Frederick Place at (715) 369-9777 for more information.
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