To show our appreciation for those that strive to better their community, we are highlighting Jack Conway Go-Givers in a series, and a duo from the Hanover office is up next!
Andrea Clifford and John Vitale are two Go-Giver agents that work together to give back to children in need. Both Hanover agents joined Conway Country in 2021.
Clifford was motivated to form Vitale & Clifford fundraising through her long-term commitment to helping homeless children find homes, beds and financial support as they grow into adults. She volunteers her time and talents to organizations that help homeless children, including A Bed for Every Child, an initiative through the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless.
Vitale is the co-founder of Vitale & Clifford fundraising. In previous roles as an office manager and event planner for various organizations, Vitale enjoyed working on fundraising events and projects that involved giving back to the community, and as a dad, he is especially motivated to help children.
What is the vision of Vitale & Clifford fundraising?
“Our mission is to provide continuous support to children in need - from providing beds now, to providing scholarships when they are ready.
We want to give them a place to have dreams, and a way to fulfill them.”
Why did you decide to get involved in A Bed for Every Child?
“Sleep is essential to everyone, but especially to a growing child. Their physical, emotional, psychological and intellectual development depends on their getting quality sleep, but so many face obstacles to that end- including not having a bed.
V & C Fundraising is working with A Bed for Every Child to provide beds for previously unhoused children. We want to further support them as they grow by providing Lifeline Scholarships for those needs that are not covered by traditional means.”
What kind of fundraising do you do?
V & C Fundraising has done a variety of events to raise money for A Bed for Every Child. The first event was called “Bullseyes for Beds” and it was held at Crazy Axes in Hanover. With the support of the community and attendees, they raffled off 26 items and got halfway to their goal of $3,500.
More recently they held V&C’s Kickin’ it Country Fundraiser which included a night of Country Karaoke, Line Dancing and Sarcastic Swine Barbecue. At the event was DJ Kevin Cotter, and Line Dance Instructors Katelyn and Erik Burns. All the money raised went to A Bed for Every Child!
Earlier this year, Clifford and Vitale hosted a Ballads for Beds Karaoke event in Hanover where attendees would make a donation to A Bed for Every Child and get to enjoy karaoke and food from Mama Mia’s.
What inspired you to get involved?
Clifford and Vitale were guests on WATD where they shared their story and encouraged listeners to attend an upcoming fundraising event. In the interview, Clifford shared what inspired her.
“As teacher I had some students who were in that position and who were sleeping on the floor, and I was really inspired to help them and when
I asked my fellow realtors if anyone wanted to help John Vitale raised his hand and said absolutely, I’ll be right there.”
Vitale said that when Andrea shared this fundraising idea, it hit home with him, as he has two daughters of his own, and couldn’t imagine not having a bed for them to sleep in.
What are you fundraising for?
Clifford and Vitale have been raising funds all year for a Hanover Community Bed Build. They set a goal to raise enough funds to build 10 beds for children in need. Through their fundraising efforts and support from the community, they were able to surpass that goal and build 15 beds this August.
The Build A Bed event took place at the parking lot of the Jack Conway headquarters in Hanover. Anyone was welcome to volunteer, and there were jobs for all ages to participate. Volunteers were given free t-shirts, pizza and drinks while working for a great cause.
“It’s a silent problem that a lot of people really don’t know about so we’re trying to give some attention to that,” said Vitale.
Thank you, Andrea and John, for all you do to support your community, for representing Jack Conway so well, and for being true Go-Givers.
