Keep the Change – Angelo & Claudia Nardone

Keep the Change! A stitch in time saves nine…an old adage that means that if a job needs doing it is better to do it now, because if left undone, the need will only get greater.

In his keynote address at Easter Seals’ 2010 Celebration of Giving; Easter Seals president and CEO, Jim Williams impressed upon the audience the importance of early diagnostics and intervention in treating developmental and cognitive impairments.  In fact, one dollar spent for early intervention saves as much as $7 in later services.

Claudia Nardone and Leila Levesque were in the audience and so moved by the idea that one dollar can make a big difference that their entire dinner conversation revolved around what they could do with that idea. Claudia remembered the saying, “A stitch in time…” and thought that they could provide that “stitch in time” for Easter Seals.

They came up with the idea to encourage IBOs to collect their loose change and deposit it in Stitch In Time buckets – change to make a change. IBOs are encouraged to look for those pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters that often find their way under furniture cushions, into “junk drawers”, under car seats, pockets, and the bottom of purses. “The change that is often overlooked can do a world of good for the children and families served by Easter Seals,” shares Claudia.

 Claudia says that IBOs have shared that they really think differently about their spare change now. “We’ve actually received a check for $8.29. That may seem like a small amount, but it is in fact one more stitch to close the hole in needed funding.”

The beauty of the Stitch In Time campaign is that 100% of the change collected goes directly to Easter Seals and contributions are allocated back to the geographic area from which the funds originated. This campaign, along with additional fundraising, raised over $105,000 for Easter Seals in 2010.

 In recognition of their contributions to Easter Seals, Claudia and Angelo Nardone were presented with the organization’s highest honor, the Lilli and Allan Shedlin Award for their uncompromising commitment to helping others, their advocacy, and generosity.