SCOTT WILLIS LEGACY FOUNDATION

2021 UPDATE

With the pandemic still at the forefront, we continue to do as much as we can without actively fundraising.   We know that so many people continue to face financial hardships as families and businesses continue to struggle.  We are blessed that those who can help continue to donate to Scott’s Legacy.  Through this support, we have been able to continue our work both in Africa and the United States.  Africa, a country that relies so heavily on tourism now faces another new Covid variant, Omicron.  Here are a few of the projects we’ve supported because of your help.

 CAMP OPPORTUNITY OF MARYLAND, INC.

Camp Opportunity provides a summer camp for children in Maryland that have experienced abuse.  Because of the pandemic, many children were at a heightened risk of abuse or neglect because they were not attending in-person school.  They did not have access to teachers and counselors who were on the frontline of detecting and reporting abuse.  In 2021, Camp Opportunity was able to hold an in-person camp for these at-risk children.  Scott’s Legacy was proud to offer $3000 in support to help with their programs.

FLAMBOYANT SPECIAL NEEDS SCHOOL IN MAZABUKA, ZAMBIA

Flamboyant serves special needs children and we have funded many programs there including Scotty’s Garden, Karen’s Play Park, Connor’s Toy Box and Delilah’s Music Box.

In addition, the eggs are used to feed the students and their families.  The income generated by selling the extra eggs will help support the school.   We generated over $4000 for the school by “selling” chickens to donors for $20.  This fundraising concept was based on the successful program we have at Mama Jane’s.

RALPH UNGERMANN MEMORIAL GIFT:  Scott’s Aunt Susan donated funds in memory of the first principal she taught with, Ralph Ungermann.  He was a champion for special needs children.  He worked tirelessly as a principal for a cerebral palsy school in Santa Paula, California as well as the special education department in Conejo Valley School District.  The funds were used to purchase crutches, walkers and wheelchairs for the children at Flamboyant.

KAREN’S PLAY PARK:  We provided additional funds for Karen’s Play Park and to have a celebration on her Angelversary.   Karen’s Play Park has become a favorite place of children and staff.

SCOTTY’S GARDEN: We sent additional funds on Scotty’s Angelversary and Birthday to make sure Flamboyant had everything they needed to keep the garden operational.  While the children were out of school during the pandemic, Brother Jose paid the older children to work the garden and harvest the crops.   The food from the garden and orchard help feed the children, the poor of the village as well as being sold at market to generate income.

FENNY: Fenny is a young girl in the village near Flamboyant.  She was near death and through the help of Sr. Andrea, Sr. Claude and so many others; she was able to travel to Israel to get the 2 heart surgeries she needed to survive.  She returned to a beautiful new home that was funded by Scott’s Aunt, Uncle and Cousins as well as Scott’s Legacy.  Fenny is doing well and is a healthy and happy little girl.

SHADES OF HOPE ACADEMY IN ARUSHA, TANZANIA

SHADES OF HOPE ACADEMY CONSTRUCTION:   Scott’s Legacy funded the second phase of the construction of the new school and it is now complete.   Over 200 students attend Shades of Hope Academy and 30 vulnerable or orphaned children live at SOH full time.  An education is the only way these children will break the cycle of poverty.

SHADES OF HOPE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM:   We continue to support the needs of Shades of Hope Academy where we support the scholarships of 11 of the 30 children that live full time at the school.   We are so grateful that many of the families that committed to supporting the children continue to do so.  The donors receive photos and have contact with the children throughout the year and they have truly become part of their families. This year, three families stepped up to support the three brothers in need of sponsors.  We thank Cate & John Sergeant and family (Shadrack), Phyliss & Vito Mosca and family (Yohanna) and Barbara Hock (Lawrence).  They are supporting the educational, medical and housing needs of these brothers.    Our “Giving Tuesday” fundraiser on Facebook provided additional funds for this continued support.

SHADES OF HOPE BIRTHDAY & HOLIDAY PROGRAM:   As orphans, many of these children have never celebrated their birthdays.   We send funds each quarter to provide a party on each child’s birthday.   We also send funds for food and holiday parties as well.  Last year the children went to an amusement park for the Christmas holiday and had a wonderful dinner.  Pictured is Kim Dewalt with her scholar/daughter, Yvonne.  The Dewalt Family also provided this year’s Christmas Celebration funding.

MAMA JANE’S ORPHANAGE IN ARUSA, TANZANIA

JOANN FABRICS:  Our super-supporter and avid seamstress, Alex Stetka, reached out to Shauntina Lilly and her wonderful team at Joann Fabrics requesting supplies for Mama Jane’s.  Joann’s allowed us to pick items that would best serve Mama Jane’s needs including sewing materials, beads and wire for purses, yarn and other products.   They sent four oversized boxes of items. Through Eileen’s Sewing Center and Helen’s Closet, the children at Mama Jane’s make beautiful products that they sell to generate revenue.   We are working on safely shipping the items to Africa.  We are so grateful to Alex and to the team at Joann Fabrics for their support.

BUTLER’S BUNKHOUSE FOR GIRLS:   In 2021, the Butler’s Bunkhouse for girls was completed and furnished and now the older girls have a safe place to stay.  We will dedicate this beautiful building in memory of Mark Butler when we can travel there safely. We hope that Mark’s daughters will be able to travel with us as well to put the final touches on it and dedicate it in memory of their Dad.

POPPY’S PLACE:  In 2021, Poppy’s Place was completed and furnished for the older boys.  Once boys reach a certain age, they can no longer live at the orphanage but they are too young and do not have the resources or skills to live on their own.  Poppy’s Place was constructed just outside the walls of Mama Jane’s and on the edge of Wyatt’s Garden.   We can’t wait to dedicate Poppy’s Place in honor of Scott’s Grandfather, James Hock, Sr. when we return. 

FOOD PROGRAM:   We continue to provide funds for additional meals through Sara’s Kitchen.   The self-sustaining programs we helped her establish including Micah’s Chicken Coop, Susanne’s Salon, Helen’s Closet and Eileen’s Sewing Center continue to help her through this difficult time.  Wyatt’s Garden in Scott’s Courtyard continues to thrive and provide fresh produce for Mama Jane and the surrounding community. 

BEAU’S BUNDLES: While we haven’t been able to travel to Tanzania to provide Beau’s Bundles to new moms, dads and babies, Beau’s Mom and Dad, Katie & Brian Benden, continue to honor Beau’s Legacy by helping babies and moms in need.  In honor of Beau’s 4th birthday, they once again collected items to fill Beau’s Bundles for the Women’s Care Center in Baltimore and they continue to champion the work of the Maryland Chapter of the TEARS Foundation.

CONNOR’S TOY BOX:   Eleven toy boxes have been constructed and delivered with toys since we’ve started this program.   We are currently working on a way to purchase and ship toys from the United States directly to our contact Kundael, in Tanzania, so he can restock the toy boxes until we can return to visit the recipients.  We will keep you posted on our progress. On the left, Kundael, our partner in Tanzania is shown delivering a toy box to Faraja Orphanage.

A SPECIAL THANK YOU

GIVING TUESDAY DONORS: We thank the over 20 donors who supported Scott’s Legacy on Facebook’s Giving Tuesday Fundraiser as well as those who gave through PayPal.   All funds raised will help support the children we sponsor at Shades of Hope Academy.  We thank our current scholarship sponsors. 

SIGNS 4 JOY:  This company was founded by Scott’s Aunt Bonnie and his cousin Jamie to spread joy through lawn signs.  They donate a portion of every sign rental to a charity in Harford County.  Scott’s Legacy was one of the recipients this year and the funds were used to provide meals for Mama Jane’s.

JOANN FABRICS & CRAFTS:   This amazing company donated exactly what we needed to help Mama Jane.  It wasn’t from their overstock or surplus.  They let us choose the items that would make the most impact.  We hope all of you will shop at Joann’s to show them how much we appreciate their kindness.

JAMES BODDICKER:  James hosted an on-line auction at the end of 2020 and the funds raised helped support many of our projects in 2021 including providing funds to Flamboyant Special School.

LUCA ROMANOLI:  We featured Luca in our March Facebook post.   This remarkable young man puts aside 1/3 of any cash gift he receives and donates it to charity.   He donated funds to help celebrate birthdays for the kids at Shades of Hope. 

We thank each and every one of you for your support.  If you question whether your donation makes a difference, just see the changes in the photos below.  On the left is when we met Hamima in 2017, homeless and living on the street.  The photo on the right is Hamima today – living healthy and happy at Shades of Hope Academy and getting an education. Whether you financially supported us, shared a link or just wished us well, we are grateful.    Please visit www.scottslegacy.com frequently to see our updates.  Asante Sana!