As a family-owned and operated business, we happily blend our personal values into our company philosophy. At Care Free Homes, giving back to our community helps us build relationships with our customers, neighbors, schools, local non-profits, and fellow businesses. Here are a few highlights from another successful year of giving and community collaboration in 2021:
New Year, New Roof Giveaway: After a challenging year in 2020, we were so excited to ring in the new year with our 2021 winner, Hilda Lopes of New Bedford, Massachusetts. Her story even made the evening news!! A beloved frontline worker at St. Luke’s Hospital, Hilda is one of the first faces patients see when they step inside the emergency room. As a single mother, she worked hard to raise her son and finally purchased a home. Within a few years, her roof began to leak in several places. Just when she had finally saved enough money to replace the roof, tragedy struck their family and the money she had set aside for her roof was used to pay for her brother’s funeral. Thanks to our New Year, New Roof Giveaway and the love of friends and family, Hilda has peace of mind with a new GAF Timberline HDZ Roofing system! Stay tuned for our 2022 New Year, New Roof Giveaway which begins January 1, 2022!
Care Free Customer Weekend Getaway: Past customers and referrals are responsible for over half of our business each year. We created the Care Free Customer Referral and Rewards Program to show our appreciation to loyal customers that support our family business. Anytime a referred homeowner joins the Care Free family, the customer who referred them receives a $100 VISA gift card plus a chance to WIN our White Mountain Weekend Getaway. Homeowners who complete a project with us are also entered to WIN our White Mountain Weekend Getaway! Thanks to our Care Free Customer Referral and Rewards Program, the Murphy family of Freetown, MA had a great mini-vacation!
Gnome Surf Sponsor: Our family is super stoked to be part of the Gnome Surf Kind Tribe! This magical 501(c)3 non-profit organization provides surf therapy, art therapy, and
eco-therapy to athletes of all ages and abilities regardless of their socio-economic status. Although they focus on neurodivergent athletes challenged with autism, ADHD, and down syndrome, they also bring light and love into the lives of athletes who struggle with anxiety, depression, and trauma. We were proud to be a signature sponsor of their First Annual Clambake and a supporter of their annual appeal on Giving Tuesday. In addition to the Pickup children being Gnome athletes, Care Free’s Steph Pickup serves on the Gnome Surf Executive Board. Check out the Gnome Surf instagram and facebook to see the magic in action – it’s pretty powerful stuff!
New Bedford Oktoberfest Sponsor: Our family was proud to be a supporter of the SouthCoast Business Alliance and their New Bedford Oktobefest. This annual event brings the community together to enjoy and evening of music, local brews, food, and fun! Funds raised from this event supports at-risk youth in our community.
Boo at the Zoo Treat Station Sponsor 2021
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. 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 were proud to support our friends at United Way of Greater Fall River with their annual United We Move campaign kickoff! Hosted at the beautiful Bioreserve in Fall River, Massachusetts, this event invites participants to 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 from the event support the health, education, financial stability, and basic needs of families in the Greater Fall River area.
United Way of GNB Hunger Heroes Project
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 event to assist in the packaging of 1,000 food bundles in the spring and 1,000 Thanksgiving meals each fall. We also support a local family in-need through their Holiday Wish program every December.
Veterans Transition House Donation
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 we donated much-needed bedding, sheets, towels, and toiletries to VTH residents. We also provided Dunkin gift cards for each resident and a special delivery of gourmet Black Tie Cookies for them to enjoy with their evening meal. Visit the Veterans Transition House website to donate and learn more about their work.
Watuppa Rowing Center FREE Roof Installation: We understand the important role both nature and sports play into the lives of local youth. The Watuppa Rowing Center, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, provides opportunities for high school students in the Greater Fall River area to learn to row, race competitively, and improve post-secondary prospects for students. The best part – these services are provided free of charge to the athletes. Our FREE roof installation will help the WRC continue their growth as they plan to include military veterans, para athletes, and anyone looking for peace and/or competition on the water. Register to row and learn more about the Watuppa Rowing Center here.
FAYA Pop Warner Football Sponsor
Fairhaven Acushnet Youth Athletics Baseball and POP Warner Football Sponsor: Youth athletics is an integral part of our children’s lives. Sports instill the value of teamwork, sportsmanship, perseverance, and dedication. We sponsor a team each year because we believe the challenge of competitive sports help lay a strong foundation for our children’s futures. In addition to our financial support, we’re proud to celebrate the volunteerism of Care Free’s Dana Jr.! He has been a dedicated FAYA coach for the past seven years! Great job Dana!
Fairhaven Turkey Trot Sponsor: Run for a cause! The Fairhaven Turkey Trot is a local 5k road race that raises funds to help feed hungry families here in the SouthCoast. Since 2010, this fantastic event has raised over $80,000 and collected hundreds of pounds of canned goods to support local food pantries! We’re happy to be part of their efforts each year. Visit the Fairhaven Turkey Trot website to learn more!
Friends of Jack Foundation TuTu Challenge
Friends of Jack Foundation Supporter: Whether it’s funding the position of a Child Life Specialist or their Super Hero Program, we love the mission 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. We happily promote their work, attended their annual gala, and supported their holiday TuTu Challenge! FOJ even honored Care Free’s Steph Pickup with their Unsung Hero award earlier this year! Visit the Friends of Jack Foundation website and follow them on Instagram and Facebook for their latest updates!
Fairhaven High School Sponsor: With an office full of Fairhaven High School Blue Devils – it’s no wonder that our company enthusiastically supports our hometown high school! We adopted 15 Class of 2021 seniors, donated to their football program, and was a sponsor of their Blue Devil Vendor and Craft Fair. 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. 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!
