8th Annual MFN Comedy Night FUNraiser November 11

On November 11th the Friends of the Medford Family Network will be hosting its 8th Comedy Night FUNraiser at Giggles Comedy Club in Saugus. Tickets are now on sale at www.medfordfamilies.org, through Friends Board members, or by calling 781-606-0293. All proceeds from donations, tickets and raffle sales directly fund the programs of the Medford Family Network (MFN). This income is strongly needed after significant budget cuts during the last 3 years, which have already resulted in the elimination of three-quarters of the planned programming in Fall 2010.

Now more than ever the Medford Family Network, headed by Family Specialist Marie Cassidy, is relying on support from the community. While Medford Public Schools has maintained its vital support, huge cuts have been made in certain grants which used to pay for almost all of the programs on which Medford families have come to rely. Most playgroups, parenting classes, and events must now be paid for by Friends events and private donations. The programming for the fall was dramatically cut, and the 2011 Spring and Summer playgroups are still in need of funding. The Friends of the Medford Family Network looks to Giggles and other up-coming events to fix this budget gap.

Like everything else the Medford Family Network does, the Giggles event is a great community-builder. “This is such a special event for the Friends of the Medford Family Network not only as a fundraiser, but as a “playdate” for the parents!” says Jen Lewis, President of the Friends of the MFN. “Often we’re so focused on our kids at MFN events that we don’t have a chance talk as adults. This is a great opportunity to better get to know some of the parents you might have met in classes and playgroups.”

“And the show is really great” she continues. “The first year I went to the Giggles event, I went under duress from friends, just going to support the MFN which has done so much for me and my family. But I laughed harder than I had in months, and ended up with some great raffle items- it’s a fun time! And even if community members can’t come to Giggles, I can’t think of a more important time to support the MFN through donations.”

“Families reap so many benefits and rewards from MFN, it’s time to give back.” says Caitlin Smith, Chair of the MFN Advisory Board. “We hope that families who participate in MFN programs, or who have in the past, will donate to the Friends of MFN and support the Giggles FUNraiser in November.”

“MFN provides such wonderful programs for Medford’s children and parents, and they are all 100% free of charge. The Medford Public Schools staff does an amazing job writing grants to fund the programs. Unfortunately, this year’s government budget cuts have impacted MFN’s funding and we are facing a huge shortfall. Any amount of donation will go a long way to help reduce the impact of these budget cuts.”

The Giggles event has historically been the largest annual fund-raiser by the Friends, bringing in upwards of $5,000 annually through ticket sales, raffles, grab bags, and silent auctions. Lewis hopes to increase this number in 2010, but has other plans as well. “We’re working on some exciting new programs that will help the community to give back to the MFN. Interested people can sign up for our e-mail list at www.medfordfamilies.org, and/or our Facebook group (Friends of the Medford family Network), to stay on top of our plans and events. Or just come to Giggles and get the scoop there!”

About the Giggles FUNraiser

The Friends of the Medford Family Network’s 8th Comedy Night FUNraiser will be held on November 11th. Doors will open at 6:30 and the 75-minute show with all-you-can-eat cheese pizza will begin at 7:00. There will be a raffle and silent auctions. Tickets are $20 per person and the show is for adults only.

To purchase tickets, or to make a donation visit www.medfordfamilies.org, call 781-606-0293 or email info@medfordfamilies.org.

About the Friends of the Medford Family Network

The Friends of the Medford Network is a registered 501c(3) charity which exists to provide financial support to the Medford Family Network. All donations to the Friends of the MFN are fully tax-deductible. More information is available at www.medfordfamilies.org.

About the Medford Family Network

The Medford Family Network (MFN) of the Medford Public Schools is a grant-funded family support and parenting education program that is completely free and accessible to every child and caregiver who lives or works in Medford. The MFN helps to nurture development of children from birth through age 13, and to support the families that care for this age group. No-cost programs include parenting and caregiver education classes; playgroups; drop-in play center; family literacy initiatives; and clothing, book and toy swaps. More information is available on their website.

– Information from the Friends of the MFN