We honor the lives of Anjuli and Drew Hunter by raising awareness of the needs of the community, supporting local groups and projects that enhance lives, and joining other volunteers in lending a helping hand to our neighbors in need. If you want to know more, please explore our pages to see how you too can be a Goodwill Hunter!
Alice’s House was founded by Marshfield resident Janet Gibson to honor the spirit of Alice and John Feeney, who for more than 50 years opened their home to those in need of healing, renewal, reflection and quiet space by the sea. Janet, Alice’s friend, in order to continue their legacy, created a nonprofit in 1997 to buy the home, naming it Alice’s House. Goodwill Hunters maintains a close connection with Alice’s House, as many Board Members have personally experienced the healing that such a place of solitude, reflection and comfort allows.
Goodwill Hunters appreciates Alice’s House's unique mission and has supported it through sponsored fundraisers such as the Scituate Golf Tournament and the Rock Your Heart Race, and with donations that have helped furnish and name the Dragonfly Bedroom. Our continued support helps individuals, families and groups who come to heal, rekindle relationships, or renew themselves emotionally, spiritually or creatively. Whether through solitude, or shared collective experiences in this sanctuary by the sea, those who come find themselves renewed and lifted.
As an essential resource for so many families and children in the community, the Boys and Girls Club has really stepped up in a time of increased need for support and necessities. Having been integral to getting through the pandemic and the consequences of it, Goodwill Hunters is excited that this donation will help the Boys and Girls club continue providing services and programs such as The Breakfast Club, Remote Learning Club, and After School Club.
The Marshfield Animal Shelter holds a special place in the hearts of Goodwill Hunters. In nearly every picture of Anjuli Hunter, you will see her hugging one of the many cats she loved, one which came from a no-kill shelter like the Marshfield Animal Shelter. The shelter does much more than just find new homes for their residents. The Friends of the Marshfield Animal Shelter strive to provide food, veterinary care, training and suitable homes for shelter residents.
They also promote awareness of pet overpopulation, its consequences and the availability and positive impact of spay/neuter services. Animals who are at risk of neglect, abuse, surrender, or abandonment may also benefit from their assistance and programs. Recently we became aware of situations of elderly owners on a fixed income, who could no longer afford to care for their beloved pets. Goodwill Hunters continues financial support for our four-legged friends through our donations to the Friends of the Marshfield Animal Shelter.
Anjuli with Sammi
The lovely estate named “Green Harbor” was the country home of the famous orator and statesman Daniel Webster until his death in 1852. During the twenty years that he lived here, the property grew to nearly 1,800 acres. After an unfortunate fire that destroyed his home in 1878, his daughter-in-law Caroline White Webster enlisted the services of William Gibbons Preston, a prominent Boston architect to construct this lovely Queen Anne-style home in 1880.
The estate has gone through a number of changes over the years. Much of the land has been sold and the property now consists of 14 acres of lawns and beautiful woodlands. A series of families have lived here and for many years it was the summer camp for the local children.
After being purchased by the Town of Marshfield and undergoing extensive renovation, it was the Pilgrim Hall Museum’s 2005 Designer Show House. This was the beginning of a new chapter in the life of this historic estate.
Presently, the Daniel Webster Preservation Trust oversees the estate. In 2020, as our lives and activities have been restricted due to the corona virus, so have the many activities of the Estate.
Each year Marshfield students visit the estate and learn about our town’s most famous resident. Many of our board members recall their connection to the property as they visited in third grade. Goodwill Hunters contributed by earmarking funding toward the DWPT sustainability campaign.
Fragile Footprints is part of the Pediatric Palliative Care Network in Massachusetts sponsored by Cranberry Hospice and Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital of Plymouth. They provide services to medically fragile children and their families on the South Shore and Cape Cod. Services are free and are provided to children 18 years or younger who have been diagnosed with a condition that could limit life expectancy. There are no income limits or citizenship requirements. The program’s goal is to improve quality of life through comfort and care of the entire family through supports and services. Palliative care services may include pain and symptom management, nursing, assessment and case management, spiritual care, social services, sibling support, respite care, 24-hour nurse on call, complementary therapies such as music, art, massage and others, and bereavement care if needed. Goodwill Hunters recognizes the need for these services and supports their mission, as we have firsthand experience with what a difference they can make during extremely trying times.
Everyone in the Pediatric Palliative Care Network plays an important role, including the child, family, physicians, nurses, social workers, counselors and volunteers.
The James P Harrington is a nurturing and inclusive community of wellness, healing, and transformation. Located on the pristine riverbank of the North River marsh, JPH at Ferry Hill includes 9.3 acres of grounds and trails and a historic barn and attached building with an adjacent cottage. This peaceful retreat property has been in service of the community for over 60 years, with a history of providing support for families through women-focused programming, robust youth-based summer programming, and a respite location to connect with nature. JPH at Ferry Hill was saved from development in 2019, and the JPH Organization has committed to revitalizing and repairing the property into a nature-based family wellness sanctuary. Goodwill Hunters delights in supporting this organization which provides a welcoming respite for individuals and families to move through challenges in their journey towards wellness, healing and wholeness with volunteering opportunities, classes, and workshops.
Kennedy Donovan Center Early Intervention Program is a non-profit organization that provides services to children, birth to three, who experience a wide range of developmental delays and family centered needs. The Greater Plymouth Division services 9 towns among the South Shore. Families in Kennedy-Donovan Center’s Early Intervention program receive education and training in supporting their children’s continued development. Their Early Intervention specialists also provide information and referrals for a successful transition to school and other community programs. Goodwill Hunters recognizes the importance of early education and intervention, and are pleased that donations help provide sensory kits, group therapy toys/equipment and other materials not covered by their regular funding sources.
Hope Floats, founded in 2008 by Denise and Ken Brack to honor the loss of their son, Michael, is a unique bereavement and educational center for families and individuals. Located in Kingston, MA, their free and donation-based programs support healing by nurturing the physical and emotional wellbeing of each individual. Goodwill Hunters is honored to sponsor Mike’s Club, one of Hope Floats many programs, which offers specialized support groups for children, teens, and parenting adults coping with death related loss. The children process their grief through activities, arts and crafts, and games with the help of trained support staff, therapists and social workers. Having personally experienced loss and the need for support, the Board of Goodwill Hunters feels fortunate that financial assistance from groups like Goodwill Hunters allows Mike’s Club to continue offering services to these families and children.
Matty K’s 7 Seas is a non-profit organization founded in memory of lifelong Marshfield resident Matt Kelly, who passed suddenly in June of 2016. Matt’s mom, Maureen Godding, along with family and friends, set out to build a playground on Rexhame Beach to honor Matt and to provide a fun, safe space for young children and families. Shaped like a ship it includes bells, a ship’s wheel and a “face in the hole board” of a pirate for children to put their heads in for photos. Goodwill Hunters was pleased to support this project, which not only offers a fun learning environment for young children but enhances the Rexhame beach area. Maureen continues to fund the playground maintenance through her line dancing classes. We love seeing all the young children enjoying this area, especially during Goodwill Hunters annual Duck Derby, which is held at Rexhame Beach. A popular spot for children and young families!
The McKinney-Vento Program of the Marshfield Schools’ highest priority is educational stability for vulnerable students who are homeless or in foster care. While this is their main focus, the program also seeks to help families feel embraced and supported by their community. The Mckinney-Vento Liaison works with students and their families, providing services to address these students’ academic, physical and social-emotional needs. The liaison also assists families with connecting to other supportive service agencies in the district. Students who are homeless are at greatest risk for school drop-out. By addressing their needs and providing opportunities for activities and peer interaction, they feel more connected to their community and are more likely to stay in school. Some of the needs addressed through the McKinney -Vento program include; clothing, food, medical, educational materials and after school/summer programming.
On occasion the liaison helps students and families attend community events, allowing for a connection that families who are facing economic hardship might rarely get to make. Other students might need a quiet space for completing assignments (such as the Boys and Girls Club), as their living situations might be chaotic; or an opportunity to play and build social skills paramount to their development. Donations made to support this 501c3 Fund help enhance the basic support provided by the yearly Federal grant. Goodwill Hunters hopes to bring awareness to the needs of this vulnerable group, as well as recognize and financially support the important work that the McKinney Vento Liaison does to assist these families in our community.
Contact Robynne Ryan Lambert, Marshfield Public Schools McKinney Vento liaison Project Reach Coordinator (781) 834-5000 x40124.
The Marshfield Food Pantry, run by volunteers, has been providing food to our neighbors in need for over 35 years. When Goodwill Hunters was first formed in 2009, it was the Food Pantry that was first in our minds, and our first recipient of funds! Over the years, the Pantry had extended its reach, now helping over 522 families in 2019 alone. That’s 1283 residents, 346 of which were children and 196 seniors. Goodwill Hunters has a special interest in supporting students in our schools who are struggling with situations resulting in homelessness, or “couch living”. Our donations made to special funds reach these families by providing nutritional snacks available to students at any of the seven Marshfield schools during the day, as well as other after school programs offering snacks. Goodwill Hunters’ support of the Marshfield Food Pantry will continue as new needs arise and are identified.
Members of Goodwill Hunters board enjoy a moment at the new cafe with in the expanded COA. Goodwill Hunters participated in the Adopt-A-Room program and is one of the sponsors of the Seaflower Cafe.
THE MARSHFIELD COA BOOSTERS The Boosters assist the Marshfield COA in their efforts to provide enriching programs and activities along with necessary resources for the senior population of the Town of Marshfield and surrounding areas. The Boosters help provide assistance for things not covered by the annual Town of Marshfield budget.
MCOA is a private, independent membership organization governed by Bylaws as voted by the membership at an annual meeting and qualifies as a tax-exempt nonprofit organization under Section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code with a mission to support the Marshfield COA Senior Center.
Namaste Stars is a special education yoga program for very special kids. The brainchild of Tricia Glynn, a dedicated and compassionate yoga teacher, these classes bring yoga right into the classroom to show kids what they CAN do, no matter what their challenges may be. Encouragement, positive reinforcement and a whole lot of love and patience is given to motivate these budding yogis who may otherwise find limited access to yoga and exercise classes. “They need a class that understands their unique challenges and they need a teacher who will take the time to support them and help them work through these challenges.” Tricia IS that teacher! The guided teaching promotes new physical strength, and the meditation and breath work teaches them how to calm their bodies and minds, giving them skills to help them cope with stress, anxiety and social challenges. And it brings joy! Goodwill Hunters believes our sponsorship of these programs, offered free of charge to the students, greatly enriches their lives and perfectly fits our desire to support and enhance the lives of children in this beautiful community that supported Anjuli and Drew.
The Outreach Program is a 501(c)(3) corporation whose mission is to provide safe water, food, medical care, and education to those in need at home and abroad. End Hunger New England is a local wing of that program that organizes food packing events in New England to provide nutritious grain or pasta-based meals which can feed a family of 4 for $1.00. The packets are then donated to local food pantries. Goodwill Hunters has partnered with End Hunger New England in Marshfield with donations, volunteering as a group, and helping to spread the word about their Meal packing events. Children as young as 4 and up can volunteer along with their parents. Goodwill Hunters is always searching for volunteer opportunities and organizations that support food security. What a great opportunity for a family or group to volunteer together!
South Shore Habitat for Humanity (SSHH) was founded in 1986 as a local affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International. Serving 35 cities and towns south and southwest of Boston, in 32 years they have completed 61 homes in 21 towns with the help of monetary donations and volunteer labor. Goodwill Hunters has participated as a group and as individuals in several builds. We love learning new skills and meeting new people while participating in these community builds. Meeting the families that eventually move into these new homes has been an honor, and a way to directly see the difference SSHH can make!
South Shore Women’s Resource Center is a nonprofit, community-based domestic violence program that has been assisting victims of domestic violence and their families for more than 30 years. The Center offers a plethora of free and confidential services including crisis intervention, safety planning, assistance with shelter placement, support groups, clinical therapy, and a 24-hour hotline. In addition, they also provide outreach services and programs providing domestic violence counseling for older women, Homicide Bereavement Services, Beth Israel Deaconess Jordan Hospital Advocacy, and Grandparents Raising Grandchildren. Other programs include Batters’ Intervention Program, Court Advocacy, and Education and Training. Goodwill Hunters are pleased to recognize and support this tremendous community resource.
Goodwill Hunters has a long history of interest in preserving, protecting and enhancing access for kayak and canoes to enjoy the beautiful waterscapes. Drew was an avid kayaker, so it was a natural fit for Goodwill Hunters to partner with the North and South River Watershed Association and other local entities to support and promote the SRC&K Launch.
A bench was placed overlooking the beautiful river and floating dock, providing a place to enjoy the natural beauty of Marshfield.
Sowing Seeds of Hope is a non-profit network of people who share their time, ideas & special gifts to help Marshfield residents in need. One seed, planted over 20 years ago, has produced an active group of over 100 volunteers & scores of generous supporters. In addition to their well-known clothing bank, they also offer much more! With the resourcefulness and compassion of their volunteers and supporters, Sowing Seeds offers a guiding hand, hope, and direction to residents, aspiring to help people not only get back on their feet but stay there.
Goodwill Hunters continues our support, recently providing donations to their backpack program, which focuses on the needs of students at-risk in Marshfield.
We are fortunate to have this local grassroots organization which continues to assess and support the needs of our community.
2148 Ocean St, Marshfield, MA 02050, USA
Owned By: Town of Marshfield
South River Park, established in 2012, is part of a proposed plan for connected open spaces along the river that will create a South River Greenway. The park was designed to be an easily accessible place where people can come to connect with nature. A boardwalk to the river’s edge, a shaded picnic area and native plantings designed to attract butterflies, birds and bees can be enjoyed throughout the park. It also features the Veterans Honor Roll Wall, a granite tribute to over 1200 soldiers who served recent wars. There is a marker acknowledging the North and South Rivers’ National Natural Landmark status.
It reads “This site possesses exceptional value as an illustration of the nation’s natural heritage and contributes to a better understanding of the environment.”
In the Summer of 2015, the “ Friends of the South River Park and Greenway” group was created with the common goal of assuring that the South River Park and Veterans Honor Roll sites remain welcoming and attractive public spaces that demonstrate environmentally sensitive land use and provide a site for quiet contemplation to honor Marshfield veterans.
Goodwill Hunter’s connection with the park honors part of our mission to preserve and enhance the natural beauty of the community. The Friends of the SSP & G are always looking for volunteers to help maintain and improve the park.
The Children’s Program of the Ventress Memorial Library serves children ages 0-12, as well as caregivers and teachers. Their resources and programs serve to encourage literacy, spark creativity, and instill a love of lifelong learning. The Goodwill Hunters organization is led by several educators and many young families. We value literacy, education, and emotional and social development of young children. We have been pleased to partner with the Children’s Room at the Ventress to help provide several new additions to the room that include: new early learning kits and parenting packs – the backpacks feature themed books and interactive play items focused on early literacy ideas, different stages of child development and positive parenting. In addition, Goodwhill Hunters supported the purchase of new Talking Box books that come with a built in audio player so you can play the story and turn the pages simultaneously—perfect for new readers. Most recently, we helped procure fifteen new Launch Pad learning tablets created just for kids, preloaded with secure, high quality educational applications.
WAYS YOU CAN HELP
General Donations can be very helpful as we hunt for the perfect fit in our community. Often we are approached to review a new organization and general donations allow us to grow our network of charitable organizations.
Our volunteers fill a key role in running our day-to-day tasks, raising funds, and helping to spread the word of our mission.
Volunteers have a wide array of talents. If you think you may have a skill or time to donate we would love to connect with you.
All too often vendors are asked by non profits to donate their time and resources. GWH has always paid for these services. If you are a business or a family charitable organization, please consider earmarking your donation to cover our online advertising and printing expenses.
The reality of content and event promotion on social media is that it requires a lot of elbow grease before you begin to see results. Help us keep the momentum with our community?
Share our page and events on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram.
