WUFT News, Mia Marks
April 22, 2020
It is hard for Dream On Purpose to host its quarterly Cupcakes and Conversations event without cupcakes and, well, conversation, said Shareen Baptiste, the organization’s co-founder and president.
Baptiste is just one of many non-profit leaders who are having to quickly adapt to keep helping those who need them now more than ever.
Cupcakes and Conversations usually draws 30 to 50 girls seeking empowerment and support. The event will now be held virtually in May, with counselors available to discuss the stresses of COVID-19. Baptiste expects more girls to tune in than usually attend the event because of the added emotional and mental pandemic pressures.
The Community Foundation of North Central Florida, which works to help keep non-profit organizations financially afloat, has repurposed its annual Amazing Give donation drive, originally scheduled for April 22 and April 23.
“In light of the pandemic, we decided to change because the past four- or five-years, Amazing Give has been a community celebration with pop-up events,” said Barzella Papa, the Community Foundation’s CEO and president. “But we decided it wasn’t an appropriate time to celebrate.”
The Amazing Give Emergency Relief, using an online donation system, began March 19 and will continue until the end of this pandemic. It has so far raised $115,000, according to Papa.
“The word of the week is pivot,” she said.
