In 2009 Carolyn Ouellette was taking her three year old daughter, Megan, back to school shopping. Megan quite innocently asked if all children went shopping for clothing and back to school supplies. Carolyn thought and shared with Megan that not all children were as lucky as her and had parents with money to buy them what they need to go back to school. Again, Megan asked, “Can we do something about that?”
What resulted was a neighborhood and family collection drive where Megan collected $500 in donations that she and her mother delivered to “Cradles to Crayons.” Their effort was chronicled in the Quincy Patriot Ledger in the story “Pint Sized Philanthropist” and began a long term commitment for Carolyn and Megan.
In an sad twist of fate, Carolyn succumbed to a valiant two-year battle with breast cancer in 2012. Our family founded the Carolyn Ouellette Memorial Butterfly Foundation, an approved 501c3 non-profit foundation, whose purpose is to keep Carolyn’s legacy and spirit alive and carry out her dream. The dream continues to be providing for children of need so that they can enjoy the simple joy of going to school warmly clothed, with the supplies they need to have a worthwhile and meaningful educational experience.
Currently the charity holds two campaigns a year; one in late summer to help children get ready for school, and a second in winter, to insure that children have warm outer clothing, as well as winter school clothing. The Carolyn Ouellette Memorial Butterfly Foundation, Inc. is staffed entirely by volunteers, and all administrative costs are covered by family friends, organization officers and Board members. Our efforts accept school supplies, new and gently used clothing, and cash donations. 100% of all donations go directly to charities such as Cradles to Crayons.
Megan is now joined by her sister Emma, and her seven cousins in this special effort. We hope you share Carolyn’s dream.
