RiverWoods Exeter Gala Committee pictured, from left, Felicia Gennetti, Project Coordinator, RiverWoods Exeter; Hollis Caswell, RiverWoods Resident, Ridge Campus; Sue Little, RiverWoods Resident Council Vice-Chair, Ridge Campus; Pati Frew-Waters, Executive Director, Seacoast Family Promise; Dee Dee Chambers, RiverWoods Resident, Ridge Campus; Lefty Sluder, RiverWoods Resident, Boulders Campus; Penny Teodorczyk, Executive Assistant, RiverWoods Group; and Nancy Smath, Administrative Coordinator, RiverWoods Exeter.

As featured in Carriage Towne News and the Exeter News-Letter

RiverWoods Exeter Announces 2020 Gala Beneficiary

Reflecting more than two decades of philanthropy, much of which has focused on family health and well-being, RiverWoods Exeter has named Seacoast Family Promise as beneficiary of its 2020 RiverWoods Gala and Auction.

Held every other year since RiverWoods Exeter opened in 1994, the biennial Gala has raised more than $750,000 for local charities. 2018’s event netted more than $165,000 for Seacoast Family Promise, whose Executive Director Pati Frew-Waters said is “thrilled” at the renewal of the partnership.

“It has truly been a privilege to get to know and work together with the folks from RiverWoods,” she said. “They understand what it means to be involved and dedicated to the greater community.”

Since 2003, Seacoast Family Promise has helped families who are experiencing homelessness find stable housing and return to self-sufficiency.

As a result of financial support from 2018’s Gala, Frew-Waters said Seacoast Family Promise completed several projects, some of which addressed “important safeguards and rehabilitation needs.”

“We built a storage shed for our children’s bikes and toys and fencing for our property to ensure the safety of our children and their parents,” she said. “Removal of a large, dead tree in our playground was also completed along with trimming and brush cutting.”

For Deb Riddell, Executive Director of RiverWoods Exeter, the committee that selected Seacoast Family Promise as beneficiary was “impressed” with the scope of its services.

“More than 90 percent of families who have gone through their program have secured permanent housing and remained stable,” she said. “This is a strong opportunity for RiverWoods Exeter residents and staff to help Seacoast Family Promise make a positive and sustainable impact for Seacoast families in need.”

This year’s Gala and Auction will take place on October 17, 2020. In addition to food and entertainment, the fundraiser will include a live and silent auction. All donated items and costs associated with the 2020 Gala and Auction are underwritten by sponsors.