Bright Spots, SEF’s campaign to recognize the good in our seaside town during an uncertain time, was born out of the idea that there are opportunities to celebrate life and connect with others every day. From local artists and businesses designing art kits to SEF volunteer (Bright) Spotlights, we want to show and share our gratitude for Scituate and life-long learning! Follow along on Facebook, Instagram, and on our website to add a Bright Spot to your day!
“SEF's meetings are always open to the public. I'm so glad I took a chance and said 'yes' to attending my first meeting in 2016. My experience with SEF these past 4 years is evident around town in the grants we've funded, but even more so, the experiences I've had, lessons I've learned, and friendships I've made will last me for the rest of my life!”
Volunteer Emily Matthews
Emily was born and raised in Ohio and moved to Massachusetts to attend graduate school in 2002 and has been here ever since. Emily is a passionate educator, theatre artist, and techie with energy and enthusiasm to spare. She has two elementary-aged sons, a wonderful husband, and many, many animals. You'll find Emily running around town, working at the CPA, and making change for the better whenever she can. Emily said that because of SEF she can think more critically and trust her instincts more than she did before. She learned that SEF attracts an incredibly hard-working, passionate, and inclusive group of community members. She is proud to be considered a part of our ranks and has enjoyed working as a team to provide life-long learning opportunities to our seaside community. She attended her first SEF meeting 4 years ago at St. Luke's and since has been involved with Passport Days, Seaside Stories, Marketing Committee, and most recently as the SEF President.
#ScituateBrightSpots #UnityInCommunity #ScituateEducationFoundation
"Being a mom of young kids, I have found that while I cannot commit to being an officer on the board right now, there are so many ways for me to contribute to the foundation. Whether you have a little time to spare or a lot there is a space for you at SEF and any time spent makes a difference in the town of Scituate. Don't hesitate to come to a meeting and get to know us."
Volunteer Lauren SHea
Lauren Shea became interested in SEF after having her second child and felt a bit lost without adult interaction and it was a great way to get involved in the community and get out of the house. Lauren says that joining SEF has exposed her to a unique group of men and women in our community who she never would have met had she not taken that first step and attended a meeting in 2017. She says she feels more involved and informed by working with a community group with inspirational leaders and dedicated volunteers. Lauren contributed her time and organizational skills to help run events such as Passport Days, Seaside Stories, and the Spring party.
#ScituateBrightSpots #UnityInCommunity #ScituateEducationFoundation
"I have met so many great people from all around Scituate that I never would have met otherwise. Working with SEF has strengthened my sense of why community is important. When we were planning the launch of SEF, we started using the tag line by JFK, “a rising tide lifts all boats”, and how true that has been!”
Volunteer Heather Dillon
Heather and her husband Sean and have three children and an adorable Bulldog and have lived in Scituate since 2001. Since leaving her career in finance in 2011 Heather dedicated her time to raising her family and volunteering locally. She was excited to create something new in Scituate that was needed as all other towns around had an Education Foundation. She has been with SEF since the planning stages in early 2016 and now is the Co-Chair of Fundraising and Treasurer. She loves creating fundraising events that celebrate our community and bring all different people together such as Seaside Stories, Seaside Kitchens, and Light Up the Night. Heather says that working with SEF has strengthened her sense of why community is important.
#ScituateBrightSpots #UnityInCommunity #ScituateEducationFoundation
Fish Print Kits
May 26, 2020
Thank you volunteers for handing out our next set of free educational activity kits today as part of the #scituatebrightspots project! This week the kits will include fish prints, shells, rocks, and fabrics by Fish Prints by Jenna, a signed book by Jerry Pallotta, and a reading list from the Scituate Town Library.
There will be 20 kits available for free outside of Restaurant Oro at 1pm. *Please practice safe social distancing measures when picking them up: stay in your vehicle and a volunteer on site will facilitate contactless pick-up.*
And we would love to see your creative creations, please take a picture and tag us so we can share your finished projects!
“I've always believed in the importance of education and creativity. It was only after starting my blog in 2011 that I discovered creative abilities I didn't know I had - design, styling, photography, and painting. Being part of SEF and raising money to help people take on new challenges and learn new things is really amazing. I love that we're able to bring joy to our community through education.”
Volunteer Danielle Driscoll
This week's #ScituateBrightSpot volunteer spotlight is Danielle Driscoll! Danielle has been volunteering with SEF since she decorated a beautiful barn as her kitchen and loaded it with vintage finds and eucalyptus for Seaside Kitchens in 2017. She also worked on Light Up the Night party and helped out with the Bright Spots campaign.
She loves adventures on the beach and searching for treasures with her family. Danielle is the creator of the popular home & lifestyle site Finding Silver Pennies. She believes in lifelong learning and is humbled to be part of such an amazing and caring group of people.
#ScituateBrightSpots #UnityInCommunity #ScituateEducationFoundation
Ocean Kits
May 19, 2020
Thank you volunteers for handing out our next set of free educational activity kits today as part of the #scituatebrightspots project. This week the kits included art materials donated by Mullaney's Harborside Fish Market, drawing pages by Ink Harbour Illustrations, and an ocean-themed book list from the Scituate Town Library.
We would love to see your creative creations, please take a picture and tag us so we can share your finished projects! #ScituateBrightSpots #UnityInCommunity #ScituateEducationFoundation
Volunteer
Abby Korman
As a Scituate resident and realtor specializing in south shore real estate, Abby loves the feeling of being connected and involved with this wonderful community. Her passions include running, great local food, and storytelling; most notably as a storyteller at the 1st Seaside Stories event. In addition to helping with various initiatives, Abby has been the co-chair for Seaside Stories and is the Vice President of SEF. Her dedication and desire to help out within the community and to be a part of something bigger is why she became involved with SEF since the beginning.
#ScituateBrightSpots #UnityInCommunity #ScituateEducationFoundation
Fashion Kits
May 12, 2020
Thank you to all our volunteers for handing out the next set of free educational activity kits as part of the #scituatebrightspots project! This week the kits will include fashion illustration materials donated by @amandacatherinecustomdesign along with a DIY bracelet project donated by @domestikateblog. There will be 20 boxes available for free outside of Jenkins Elementary School (front entrance) at 1pm. *Please practice safe social distancing measures when picking them up: stay in your vehicle and a volunteer on site will facilitate contactless pick-up.* And we would love to see your creative creations, please take a picture and tag us so we can share your finished projects!
#ScituateBrightSpots #UnityInCommunity #ScituateEducationFoundation
Boat Kits
May 5, 2020
Thank you to everyone who helped create our second set of free educational activity kits as part of our #scituatebrightspots project! Thanks to donations from BirchBarn Designs, the boat kits included materials to create your own wooden boat, along with an accompany reading list all about boats thanks to the Scituate Town Library.
We would love to see your creative creations, please take a picture and tag us so we can share your boats! #scituateeducationfoundation #unityincommunity
"The Scituate Education Foundation and its leadership team has inspired me and taught me so much in the years I have been volunteering. They were a key influencer in my starting The Pink Frame. Supporting education in a community where you live is unbelievably satisfying. And the time commitment really can vary, based on what you are able to give."
Volunteer Rebecca O’Toole
Becky became involved with SEF because she supports lifelong learning for all residents within Scituate. As a parent of two young children in Scituate Public Schools, Becky spends her time "painting with a purpose" as part of The Pink Frame, donating a portion of every painting sold in stores and galleries to Dana-Farber. She also donates a significant amount of work to area organizations, helping with their fundraising goals. She has been involved with many events for SEF, helping with fundraising initiatives, providing artwork for silent and live auctions, and supporting SEF via donations through Untold Brewing's "With Purpose" beer launch, and most recently with the Bright Spots Kits donated to the community. #ScituateBrightSpots #UnityInCommunity #ScituateEducationFoundation
Dune grass planting at peggoty Beach
April 26, 2020
The North and South Rivers Watershed Association was a recipient of an SEF grant to plant dune grass with Scituate students at Peggoty Beach, but due to the COVID-19 virus outbreak, the schools were not able to participate in the planting project. Many thanks to amazing local volunteers from the community who stepped up to plant the stalks using safe social distancing practices to ensure this important project continued.
#ScituateBrightSpots #UnityInCommunity #ScituateEducationFoundation
Art Kits
April 23, 2020
Local artists and SEF volunteers joined together to donate sets of free art supply kits to help kids find a creative outlet during these uncertain times. The boxes contained canvases and paints donated by The Pink Frame, watercolor hearts by Finding Silver Pennies, and crayons and coloring sheets with local imagery from Kjeld Mahoney Photography Gallery. We hope the art supplies are provided some entertainment on a rainy day -- don't forget to share pictures of the artwork you create with us!
#ScituateBrightSpots #UnityInCommunity #ScituateEducationFoundation #paintingwithpurpose