HOPE receives additional funding from Comcast Corp.

	By Owen Boss
	GARDNER — The Comcast Corp. followed up a recent renovation project at the House of Peace and Education by donating $1,560 to the organization’s general budget, something Executive Director Joanne Foster said is going to be a huge help. In May, more than 20 local comcast employees brought their families to the House of Peace and Education and spent one weekend doing what former executive director Maxine Schneider called an “almost extreme makeover,” as part of the corporation’s Comcast Cares Day.” Although Ms. Foster said the company had already done more than enough, coordinators were recently surprised with a substantial comcast donation which she said will go into the organization’s general budget. “We are going to use the money for overall discretionary funding, and that is one of the advantages to this donation,” said Ms. Foster. “We get so much money that is very restricted, this we can use as general funding.” According to Office Manager Andrea Hinckley, the Comcast volunteers went above and beyond what coordinators had expected, and helped beautify an aging building. “Some of their employees came several days during the week to do the majority of the prep work and begin some of the larger projects,” said Ms. Hinckley. “They powerwashed the house, they powerwashed the roof on the pavilion, they reseeded the lawn, and they did a lot of indoor painting.” The volunteer effort saved the organization from what would have been an expensive renovation project, according to Ms. Foster. “I don’t think you could put a value on the amount of work that they did here,” said Ms. Foster. “I think it would be worth trying to find out how much they were able to do.” Ms. Foster said working on several infrastructural issues affecting the building itself was among her top priorities when she took over as executive director. “There is certainly a benefit to us owning this building but it is also a burden to have to maintain it,” said Ms. Foster. “We really don’t have the financial resources to do that, we survive on volunteers and donations. Any time a company like this can donate services to help us maintain this asset is something really special.” oboss@thegardnernews.com
	Appeared on Page 1 on 8/23/2008 (Vol. 206 No. 200)