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Why we need you: Catherine McAdam Rago has been giving back to her community for 30 years, and now it is time for her community to give back to her. We hope that friends, both known and unknown, near and far, will open their hearts to her story and contribute generously to this cause.
This past October 2020, Catherine’s husband John passed away unexpectedly and left her, and her family broken-hearted. As an indirect effect to losing John, she is facing overwhelming financial debt and a house in need of vital repairs. Though money cannot take away the pain of losing a loved one, we know that it can help to relieve some stress, thus giving a sense of security and comfort. This is what we hope to achieve by initiating the GoFundMe… a chance to exhale, and feel comforted and secure in the home that has been so open and welcoming to the Bedford Hills community for decades.
About Catherine: Since moving into their home in 1991 to raise their family, Catherine and John have been active participants in the neighborhood. The home we seek to repair served as the garden to which multiple community-based projects have taken root. Around her kitchen table, neighborhood children Catherine lovingly looked after engaged in often messy art projects while eating healthy snacks. Her dining room table served as the cutting room for the Bedford Hills Elementary School (BHES) yearbook for many years, as she painstakingly spent hours creating photo arrays in which EVERY child was represented. Over the years, Catherine volunteered for just about every school and community based committee there was - from serving on the BHES steering committee, to organizing craft fairs, food drives, fundraisers, and cultural celebrations, to leading girl scout troops and after school enrichment programs, to participating in library events, acting in local theater productions, and assisting with neighborhood clean-up days. When a community mom and dear friend suddenly passed away in 2007, Catherine created and secured donations for an annual scholarship to be given in her memory to a graduating Fox Lane High School student. While Catherine was volunteering and supporting the community in these ways, John could be found hauling sporting equipment and corralling kids, as he fulfilled his many softball, baseball, and soccer coaching roles.
But perhaps most worth noting, was the constant buzz of activity at their home - be it a holiday backyard BBQ, or an after school group play-date, an evening party, a morning coffee/committee planning meeting, or a weekend birthday pool party - their home has always been a beacon of joy and community fellowship, and is now in need of significant physical attention.
Our Projects: Home repairs and maintenance priorities are to replace the roof and gutters, replace old wooden windows; mold and mildew analysis and remediation; replace the existing crumbling and steep driveway; repair entryway stairs and railing and remove dangerous trees near the house. Secondary priorities are updating heating and cooling systems, inspecting and updating plumbing, inspecting and updating electrical systems, removing water damaged carpets and replacing floors.
Sharing is Caring: We understand that not everyone is in a position to contribute monetarily. If Catherine’s story has resonated with you and you would like to help, please consider sharing this link with friends, or posting this link on your social media platforms.
We want to thank you in advance for your generosity, kindness and support. We will be sure to provide updates as the fundraiser moves forward.
This past October 2020, Catherine’s husband John passed away unexpectedly and left her, and her family broken-hearted. As an indirect effect to losing John, she is facing overwhelming financial debt and a house in need of vital repairs. Though money cannot take away the pain of losing a loved one, we know that it can help to relieve some stress, thus giving a sense of security and comfort. This is what we hope to achieve by initiating the GoFundMe… a chance to exhale, and feel comforted and secure in the home that has been so open and welcoming to the Bedford Hills community for decades.
About Catherine: Since moving into their home in 1991 to raise their family, Catherine and John have been active participants in the neighborhood. The home we seek to repair served as the garden to which multiple community-based projects have taken root. Around her kitchen table, neighborhood children Catherine lovingly looked after engaged in often messy art projects while eating healthy snacks. Her dining room table served as the cutting room for the Bedford Hills Elementary School (BHES) yearbook for many years, as she painstakingly spent hours creating photo arrays in which EVERY child was represented. Over the years, Catherine volunteered for just about every school and community based committee there was - from serving on the BHES steering committee, to organizing craft fairs, food drives, fundraisers, and cultural celebrations, to leading girl scout troops and after school enrichment programs, to participating in library events, acting in local theater productions, and assisting with neighborhood clean-up days. When a community mom and dear friend suddenly passed away in 2007, Catherine created and secured donations for an annual scholarship to be given in her memory to a graduating Fox Lane High School student. While Catherine was volunteering and supporting the community in these ways, John could be found hauling sporting equipment and corralling kids, as he fulfilled his many softball, baseball, and soccer coaching roles.
But perhaps most worth noting, was the constant buzz of activity at their home - be it a holiday backyard BBQ, or an after school group play-date, an evening party, a morning coffee/committee planning meeting, or a weekend birthday pool party - their home has always been a beacon of joy and community fellowship, and is now in need of significant physical attention.
Our Projects: Home repairs and maintenance priorities are to replace the roof and gutters, replace old wooden windows; mold and mildew analysis and remediation; replace the existing crumbling and steep driveway; repair entryway stairs and railing and remove dangerous trees near the house. Secondary priorities are updating heating and cooling systems, inspecting and updating plumbing, inspecting and updating electrical systems, removing water damaged carpets and replacing floors.
Sharing is Caring: We understand that not everyone is in a position to contribute monetarily. If Catherine’s story has resonated with you and you would like to help, please consider sharing this link with friends, or posting this link on your social media platforms.
We want to thank you in advance for your generosity, kindness and support. We will be sure to provide updates as the fundraiser moves forward.