At Care Free Homes, giving back to our community helps us build relationships with our neighbors, schools, local non-profits, fellow businesses and more. Improving homes and the lives of others are pillars of our family owned and operated business. Here are a few highlights from another successful year of giving and community collaboration in 2023:
New Year, New Roof Giveaway: We celebrated our 8th Annual New Year, New Roof Giveaway with the amazing DiGregorio family! Thanks to a partnership with 
GAF Roofing, every year we give one deserving homeowner a free GAF Timberline HDZ roofing system. Communities from Southeastern Massachusetts, Cape Cod, and Rhode Island nominate and share stories of in-need homeowners for the roof giveaway and then we select five finalists to move onto the final, voting round. The community votes online to choose the winner! Nominations open for our 2024 New Year, New Roof Giveaway on January 1, 2024!
Buzzards Bay Area Habitat for Humanity: Safe homes are essential to building strong families and communities. We were delighted to, once again, partner with the BBAHAH on their current Westport, Massachusetts build. We are grateful to GAF Roofing for being our steadfast partners in multiple community programs that assist local families in need. Together we provided a GAF Timberline HDZ Roofing system at virtually no cost to the families. Follow the Buzzards Bay Area Habitat for Humanity on Facebook for their latest project updates!
West Island 5k Sponsor: We have been a long time sponsor of this family-friendly race that offers both a kids 1 Mile Fun Run in addition to their 5k course. Proceeds from the West Island 5k support the Fairhaven High School Cross Country teams as well as Strive and Achieve, an organization that inspires young Americans to pursue skilled labor careers.
Anthony “Tony” Martin Memorial Scholarship: Tony Martin was the lead carpentry foreman at Care Free Homes for over 30 years. In February of 2022, our
company was irrevocably changed with Tony’s heartbreaking and unexpected passing. We created the Anthony “Tony” Martin Memorial Scholarship to support our next generation of tradespeople and honor the life of a gifted craftsman, exceptional worker, and special member of our Care Free Homes family. This year’s scholarship recipient, Nathan Marcelino of Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School, was presented with $1000 scholarship package. Learn more about our Anthony “Tony” Martin Memorial Scholarship here.
Fairhaven Acushnet Youth Athletics and Fairhaven Acushnet Youth Baseball Team Sponsor: Youth athletics is an integral part of our children’s lives. Sports instill the value of teamwork, sportsmanship, perseverance, and dedication. We understand that the challenge of competitive sports help lay a strong foundation for our children’s character, careers, and life paths. Visit the FAYA website to learn about their football and cheer programs. Visit the FAYB website to learn about their baseball programs.
Fairhaven Father’s Day Road Race Sponsor: We believe family and health are essential to a joy-filled and successful life. We love supporting events that promote personal health goals all while building family and community connections. This fantastic race raises money for local scholarships and charities plus we always have a great time with fellow sponsors, athletes, and spectators at the finish line! Visit the Fairhaven Father’s Day Road Race website for their latest updates!
Gnome Surf Sponsor: Our family is super stoked to be part of the Gnome Surf Kind Tribe! This 501(c)3 non-profit organization provides surf therapy to athletes of
all ages and abilities. Although Gnome is best known for their work with kiddos who face challenges from Autism, Down Syndrome, anxiety, depression, and trauma – they also surf with medically fragile athletes, families, moms, and dads (We love their Salty Moms and Rad Dads programs). We sponsor and volunteer at the Annual Gnome Surf Clambake and donate to their annual appeal on Giving Tuesday. Care Free’s Steph Pickup served on the organization’s Board of Directors for over two years and co-chairs the Gnome Surf Clambake every year. Follow Gnome Surf on Facebook and Instagram to register yourself, your athlete, donate, or volunteer.
New Bedford Oktoberfest Sponsor: Our family was proud to be a supporter of the SouthCoast Business Alliance’s New Bedford Oktoberfest. This annual event brings the community together to enjoy an evening of music, local brews, food, and fun! Funds raised from the SCBA NB Oktoberfest support programs for at-risk youth in our community.
Neil Sullivan “Sully Socks” Campaign: Neil Sullivan, a Care Free Homes family member and talented craftsman, was recently diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
Neil is determined to work as much as possible through treatment but we know how quickly families can become overwhelmed with medical expenses. We created a fundraiser and every person who donated $35 or more received a pair of free “Sully Socks” to show support for Neil and his family. As of this blog, we have raised over $6000 and also helped organize a Meal Train so friends and family could donate a homemade meal, restaurant gift card, or grocery store gift card to the Sullivan family. Donate and get your pair of “Sully Socks” here or sign up for the Sullivan Family Meal Train here!
Buttonwood Park Boo at the Zoo Sponsor: Nature and conservation are essential to the wellness of planet and our community. The Buttonwood Park Zoological society educates, engages, and connects our community to nature and world-wide conservation efforts. Boo at the Zoo, a slightly spooky, Halloween event for families, is the Buttonwood Park Zoological Society’s biggest fundraiser and we’re happy to be part of it every year! Explore the wonderful world of nature with a zoo membership and learn about their exciting events throughout the year! Follow the BP Zoo Facebook page for their latest updates!
United Way of Greater Fall River Sponsor: We are proud to support the United We Move campaign, hosted by United Way of Greater Fall River! This fantastic event is held at the beautiful Bioreserve in Fall River, Massachusetts. Participants can walk the 1.1 mile Tattapanum Trail, run a 5 mile course through the trails, or ride 10 miles through the gravel roads of the Bioreserve. Proceeds support the health, education, financial stability, and basic needs of families in the Greater Fall River area.
United Way of Greater New Bedford Hunger Heroes & Holiday Wish Project: Food insecurity is one of the many challenges impacting families in our community
– that’s why we’re a passionate supporter of United Way’s Hunger Heroes Project. In addition to Care Free’s Stephanie Pickup being a Hunger Heroes Committee member, the Pickup family volunteers all day at every Hunger Heroes events to assist in the packaging of 1,000 food bundles in the spring and 1,000 Thanksgiving meals each fall. We also sponsored their Autumn Soiree and supported a local family in-need through their Holiday Wish program.
Veterans Transition House Supporter: As a military family, we appreciate the service and sacrifice of our nation’s veterans. The Veterans Transition House provides hope and healing to dozens of homeless veterans each year. Each resident is nurtured both physically and emotionally so they may successfully regain their independence. This Veteran’s Day Melissa “Mo” Mann, VTH Operations Manager, requested comfy clothes, lounge wear, and winter gloves, residents. We also provided dozens of delicious Black Tie Cookies for residents to enjoy with lunch and dinner. Visit the Veterans Transition House website to donate and learn more about their work.
Care Free Customer White Mountain Weekend Getaway: Thanks to our Care Free Customer Referral and Rewards program, Jason and Ashley V. and their family of New Bedford, MA were the winners of our 2023 White Mountain Weekend Giveaway! This lucky family will enjoy weekend accommodations in the heart of North Conway village in addition to a $100 VISA gift card and a dozen Black Tie Cookie bouquet. Past customers and referrals are responsible for over half of our business each year. We created this program to show our appreciation to loyal customers that support our family business. Learn more about the Care Free Customer Referral and Rewards program here.
Fairhaven Turkey Trot Sponsor: Will run for food – food pantries that is! The Fairhaven Turkey Trot is a local 5k road race that raises funds to feed our hungry SouthCoast neighbors. Since 2010, this fantastic event has raised over $80,000 and collected hundreds of pounds of canned goods to support local food pantries! We are proud to be a sponsor every year and enjoy visiting with runners and spectators at the finish line! Visit the Fairhaven Turkey Trot website to learn more!
Friends of Jack Foundation Supporter: Whether it’s funding the position of a Child Life Specialist or their Super Hero Program, we love the mis
sion of the Friends of Jack Foundation. Powered by a passionate group of people, this amazing organization provides funding for overlooked programs in pediatric hospitals around the region in addition to other programs that benefit children in our community. We happily promote their work and support their Hero Bear campaign, Annual Gala, and their Red TuTu Challenge! Visit the Friends of Jack Foundation website to learn more about their work and their mission!
Fairhaven High School Blue Devil Supporter: The Pickup family is overflowing with Fairhaven Blue Devils and alumni so it should be no surprise that we enthusiastically support our hometown high school! We donate to their after prom, concession stand, and brought back our original “What Up?! What Up?! What Up?!” Blue Devil spirit t-shirt for a community wide Super Bowl Giveaway. We are especially proud of our boys, Nathan and Landon Pickup, who helped bring home the MIAA Division 6 Football State Championship this year! Let’s Go Devils!
In addition to everything we highlighted above, we also sponsor other organizations and events throughout the year! Care Free Homes donates thousands of dollars and hundreds of volunteer hours each year. Get more involved with our community by connecting with some of these organizations or explore volunteer opportunities at VolunteerSouthCoast.org. We invite you to get involved and learn more about our work by exploring our community page and following us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest!
