On December 1st, people from around the world will come together for one common purpose: to celebrate generosity and to give.  #GivingTuesday is a global day of giving fueled by the power of social media and collaboration.  The EDD Memorial Fund will be part of Giving Tuesday for the first time, and you can join the generosity movement, too. 

It’s a simple idea. Just find a way for your family, your community, your company or your organization to come together to give something more. Then tell everyone you can about how you are giving. Join us and be a part of a global celebration of a new tradition of generosity.  Share your giving stories on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram with the hashtags #GivingTuesday and #eddfund.

#GivingTuesday harnesses the potential of social media and the generosity of people around the world to bring about real change in their communities; it provides a platform for them to encourage the donation of time, resources and talents to address local challenges. It also brings together the collective power of a unique blend of partners— nonprofits, civic organizations, businesses and corporations, as well as families and individuals—to encourage and amplify small acts of kindness.

What will you do to celebrate #GivingTuesday?

The All Star Benefit Dinner and Silent Auction is just two days away!  After months of hard work, everything is in place for a fantastic evening with our athletes and donors.  Time to raise a toast!  
This selection of fine wines will be featured at the auction.  

This Be Well Bucket of Herbal Remedies includes Fire Cider, Elderberry Syrup, Echinacea tincture, and Tulsi glycerin extract.  Remedies are made from organically grown herbs, hand harvested in central Vermont.  Here's to staying healthy through the winter months! 

For the sports enthusiast, we have a framed photo of Derek Jeter's last time at bat.

Today's post features four beautifully crafted pieces: set of six quilted place mats in striking colors, a black walnut potpourri box, a scrolled bread basket and a hand-painted sap bucket.  

Buy your ticket to the EDD All Star Benefit and Silent Auction here.

For Belgian beer lovers, we have an Ommegang Sampler variety pack and set of Three Philosophers Tall ales. 
Buy your ticket to the EDD All Star Benefit and Silent Auction here.

Our All Star Benefit is next Saturday, October 24th from 6-9pm in Oneonta, NY.  To build some excitement, we are giving a sneak peek of select items that will be featured in the silent auction.
 
First up, something for music lovers: a collection of Blue Note vinyl reissues.  From Miles Davis to Cassandra Wilson, this is a collection of Blue Note's finest jazz artists. 

Come for the run, stay for the fun! 
Join us for a 5K in scenic upstate NY on September 19 at 9:30am.  The Concordia Club Oktoberfest in the Wood is a unique, down-home event; the day begins with the 5K and the fun continues from 11am - 11pm with live music, great food and drinks at the Concordia Club.  Race includes prizes for best German costume, Beat the Brat and Pass the Pretzel.   Race entry fee includes free T-Shirt, entry to Oktoberfest and a free beverage ticket. 

Registration is open until September 18th. 
Race details and registration link are posted here. 

Guest post by Mary Mitchell, Program Coordinator for Rutland Eagles Special Olympics

This past Saturday, members our Rutland Eagles Special Olympics group had the pleasure of attending another wonderful adaptive soccer clinic presented by The EDD Memorial Fund and the St. Michael’s College Women’s Soccer team.  It was a fabulous day with well-rounded and easily accessible soccer practice skills and even a mini scrimmage which was enjoyed by everyone who participated.  The volunteers worked one-on-one with the participants on skills that included all levels of the game of soccer.

This clinic afforded the opportunity to watch the St. Michael’s College Women’s Soccer team play and we were impressed with not only the energy with which the women played but that their energy seemed to be renewed when working with the participants of the clinic.  Members of our Special Olympics program have attended both basketball and soccer clinics offered by The EDD Memorial Fund and have found these clinics to be high quality, energetic, fun and informative programs offering the opportunity for all individuals, regardless of ability, to participate in the fun of sport.  Thank you to Gretchen and her team for presenting these much needed and enjoyable adaptive clinics for all to enjoy.

Twenty-four athletes spent the afternoon with the Oneonta Outlaws baseball team on Saturday, July 18th.  What a thrill it was to be on Damaschke Field, playing catch with the Outlaws!  As the athletes practiced hitting and running the bases, the entire Outlaws team cheered them on.  After an hour of skills work in the afternoon sun, everyone headed into the clubhouse to cool off and relax.  It was just in time, as a rain storm blew through just after we got inside.  The athletes each received an EDD medal and an Outlaws pin; they also collected autographs from the team. Everyone went home with great memories of an action-packed day. 

Thank you to Steve Pindar, Coach Joe Hughes and the Oneonta Outlaws for making this new program possible!