U.S., NEW ENGLAND: The Friends of Mel Foundation Call it “Word of Mouth”

By Noelle Southwick

New England Bureau Chief
(Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut)

I met Pauline Aligherie, President of the Friends of Mel Foundation, at the Massachusetts Women’s Conference in Boston. The Friends of Mel Foundation sells colorful bracelets to raise money to fund creative and promising projects that impact cancer patient care. The foundation began as a way to honor a dear friend, Mel Simmons, who died of breast cancer in 2005.

Pauline told me they originally wanted to raise $5 thousand and have raised $5 million. When I asked her how they have grown so quickly she told me “word of mouth”. I thought, “We call that networking now” and decided to learn more.

Although Pauline is not sure how they did it, there were definitely some factors that have played into the success of the Friends of Mel Foundation.

Relationships

From my discussion with Ms. Aligherie, I realized Mel was a natural networker. She made lots of friends easily.

If you read Mel’s story, you will learn that Mel was a woman who people wanted to contribute to because of her authentic desire to make a difference in the lives of others.

A large network

As flight attendants Pauline and her colleagues were in contact with thousands of people who could contribute in various ways to the growth of the organization. The company they worked for, Delta Airlines also supported the cause.

Partnering with a large company like Delta Airlines and the flight attendants who had the ability and desire to make a difference was key in the initial fundraising of the group.

Open for guidance

Pauline’s inexperience in business could be one of her greatest strengths. From the beginning Pauline was open to learn from others.

It was at the direction of the staff at Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Clinic that the foundation was formed. After making donations of almost $300k, on July 28, 2006 the Friends of Mel Foundation was established as a legal non-profit organization.

Partnering with other organizations that were raising funds for cancer research and education, Pauline learned from their experience.

Pauline is open to divine guidance as well. She says, “I really and truly believe my friend Mel is still pulling the strings.”

Hired help to support growth

Again, Pauline wanted to have the support of people that had the knowledge she did not have. She looked for a media company that specialized in working with non-profits.

In May 2007 the Friends of Mel Foundation hired Teak Media Communications to do media outreach and increase the number of donations made to the organization. Pauline learned that media coverage is important to create a larger audience to hear their message.

Uses her experience

Although Pauline did not have much business experience, she did have people experience. As a flight attendant with almost 40 years experience she was comfortable talking with people and finding out how to serve them. Also, as an On Board Leader she knew how to empower the people who are part of her crew. Regular meetings with the volunteers involved everyone in the decisions regarding direction of the company.

Over the past 3 years Pauline has personally distributed the bracelets to local retailers and organizations. The personal contact allowed her to develop relationships and learn first hand what people who supported the Foundation wanted.

Pauline listens to the stories and the needs people have. Cancer is stressful and being able to ease that stress she recognized as a service the organization can provide. The inner needs of patients are an important part of treatment for cancer patients and their caretakers.

New growth

It started as a desire to raise money to donate to the staff that supported a friend though a difficult time. However, it turned into an organization that has helped tens of thousands of cancer patients and caretakers. Pauline now has 2 support staff and 30-40 regular volunteers and the growth of the organization continues.

Pauline is open to opportunities to grow the Foundation and increase donations. Her ever-expanding network of support includes people who help raise funds and those to whom they have made contributions.

Pauline plans to add a blog, testimonials, and additional links to advocacy information to the website. She wants the site to be a place of community, education and support.

You can help too

The Friends of Mel Foundation gives people a strong cause for action and a simple way to contribute. Cancer is a disease that is so prevalent that it affects almost everyone in some way. Buying a bracelet is an easy way to show support. As Pauline says you can “still make a difference on a limited budget.”

You can purchase bracelets from the Friends of Mel Foundation website for a donation of $15 or more. www.friendsofmel.org

The Friends of Mel Foundation is always looking for support for their cause. If you would like to join their volunteer e-mail list, send your name to info@friendsofmel.org. They promise that you will have fun and meet some amazing friends.

Friends of Mel Foundation
20 Pond Park Road, Suite 107, Hingham, MA 02043 781-740-2511

“Good goes around. That’s our movement.”

Pauline Aligherie, President of the Friends of Mel Foundation

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U.S., NEW ENGLAND: The Friends of Mel Foundation Call it “Word of Mouth”