How Farm 2 Families Started
Every story starts at the beginning......
Every story starts at the beginning......
The beginning of the farm 2 Families story starts in 2020 during the height of the pandemic. During a difficult time when many were suffering, I and others found "hope" in an arlington MA neighborhood from a 10 year old vandal. Little did I know at the time, this act of vandalism and kindness would be the inspiration for Farm 2 Families....
The beginning of the farm 2 Families story starts in 2020 during the height of the pandemic. During a difficult time when many were suffering, I and others found "hope" in an arlington MA neighborhood from a 10 year old vandal. Little did I know at the time, this act of vandalism and kindness would be the inspiration for Farm 2 Families....
"Hope"
"Hope"
"The Heartwarming Vandal"
"The Heartwarming Vandal"
With everything shutdown, more time at home, and well, just more time in general.....I like others during covid, spent my time outside, away from people, walking and running. During my runs, i thought a lot about how a simple reassuring message in the street from a 10 year old boy brought happiness, positivity and hope to others and that inspired me to do the same. I started to think about what I could do to make a difference in peoples lives. With time to think on my many "socially distanced" runs, the idea of a charity run that centered around "giving" and "hope" started to take shape. But like many ideas, they are worthless unless you do something about them and I unfortunately did nothing for over a year.
With everything shutdown, more time at home, and well, just more time in general.....I like others during covid, spent my time outside, away from people, walking and running. During my runs, i thought a lot about how a simple reassuring message in the street from a 10 year old boy brought happiness, positivity and hope to others and that inspired me to do the same. I started to think about what I could do to make a difference in peoples lives. With time to think on my many "socially distanced" runs, the idea of a charity run that centered around "giving" and "hope" started to take shape. But like many ideas, they are worthless unless you do something about them and I unfortunately did nothing for over a year.
The Catalyst
The Catalyst
To be fair, I don't recall much from my chemistry classes in college but I do remember that a catalyst is something added to a chemical reaction to provoke change, speed and or action...or something like that.
To be fair, I don't recall much from my chemistry classes in college but I do remember that a catalyst is something added to a chemical reaction to provoke change, speed and or action...or something like that.
The catalyst to turn Farm 2 Families into a reality came in the form of a new coworker (Ingrid Abrahamsen) who i interviewed with virtually for a job at a struggling biotech company at the end of 2020.
The catalyst to turn Farm 2 Families into a reality came in the form of a new coworker (Ingrid Abrahamsen) who i interviewed with virtually for a job at a struggling biotech company at the end of 2020.
During our relatively short careers at this company, we bonded and became friends as we mutually navigated the hardships of working virtually in a challenging environment. During my last week of work a mere 10 months later, we met at the office in person for the first time and went for a run around the charles where we discussed our future career plans as well as my thoughts and ideas for a charity run during the holidays. Instead of finding flaws in the concept, Ingrid added to it and brought the clarity and structure it needed to become a legitimate event. With Ingrid's validation and willingness to support, the first legitimate steps to turn Farm 2 Families into a reality were taken. Unfortunately, the holiday season was already upon us and we didn't have enough time to coordinate an event like this so we decided to wait till next year.
During our relatively short careers at this company, we bonded and became friends as we mutually navigated the hardships of working virtually in a challenging environment. During my last week of work a mere 10 months later, we met at the office in person for the first time and went for a run around the charles where we discussed our future career plans as well as my thoughts and ideas for a charity run during the holidays. Instead of finding flaws in the concept, Ingrid added to it and brought the clarity and structure it needed to become a legitimate event. With Ingrid's validation and willingness to support, the first legitimate steps to turn Farm 2 Families into a reality were taken. Unfortunately, the holiday season was already upon us and we didn't have enough time to coordinate an event like this so we decided to wait till next year.
2022 - IDea Becomes Reality
2022 - IDea Becomes Reality
After settling in to new jobs and finding time for a few running races, we finally put pen 2 paper and started to sketch out how make this event a reality. although we had a full year to work on this, we procrastinated on the work like we were back in college and didn't start doing anything until about 6 weeks out from the event. With zero experience and no real strategy, we jumped head first into making this happen.
After settling in to new jobs and finding time for a few running races, we finally put pen 2 paper and started to sketch out how make this event a reality. although we had a full year to work on this, we procrastinated on the work like we were back in college and didn't start doing anything until about 6 weeks out from the event. With zero experience and no real strategy, we jumped head first into making this happen.
Step 1 - Create a plan (Sort of)
Step 1 - Create a plan (Sort of)
A few zoom calls brainstorming things we should do and creating a spreadsheet with action items and due dates....what more do you need.
A few zoom calls brainstorming things we should do and creating a spreadsheet with action items and due dates....what more do you need.
Step 2 - Create a Website
Step 2 - Create a Website
I used to do this for a living decades ago, and now I have no idea what I'm doing.
I used to do this for a living decades ago, and now I have no idea what I'm doing.
Step 3 - Recruit Donors & Runners
Step 3 - Recruit Donors & Runners
finding donors and runners was entirely word of mouth (no time for advertising) and hours of Ingrid and I texting any and everyone we knew. Early messages were kind and persuasive. several 1000 messages later they were short but to the point "Give us Money and Run".
finding donors and runners was entirely word of mouth (no time for advertising) and hours of Ingrid and I texting any and everyone we knew. Early messages were kind and persuasive. several 1000 messages later they were short but to the point "Give us Money and Run".
Step 4 - Run
Step 4 - Run
When we decided to make this run happen, I assumed Ingrid and I would be the only two runners, and if we were lucky, we might know enough people to donate $2K for the Pediatric Oncology Fund. A short six week later, we found 9 other runners, raised $8,684.72 for pediatric cancer, and another $2.5K in gift cards to hand out during the run!
When we decided to make this run happen, I assumed Ingrid and I would be the only two runners, and if we were lucky, we might know enough people to donate $2K for the Pediatric Oncology Fund. A short six week later, we found 9 other runners, raised $8,684.72 for pediatric cancer, and another $2.5K in gift cards to hand out during the run!
On Dec 10th, 2022 the First ever Farm2Families Giving Gallop became reality and the rest, as they say, is history.
On Dec 10th, 2022 the First ever Farm2Families Giving Gallop became reality and the rest, as they say, is history.
Thank You!!!!!
Thank You!!!!!
We want to personally and sincerely thank everyone who participated, contributed, donated and supported this event and allowed for it to happen. Words truly cannot express the deep appreciation and impact your generosity has had on us. It genuinely serves as our inspiration to continue on with this event and work to evolve it in a way that brings an even greater impact to all during the holiday season!
We want to personally and sincerely thank everyone who participated, contributed, donated and supported this event and allowed for it to happen. Words truly cannot express the deep appreciation and impact your generosity has had on us. It genuinely serves as our inspiration to continue on with this event and work to evolve it in a way that brings an even greater impact to all during the holiday season!
Founders - Matt Birmingham and Ingrid Abrahamsen