100 Women Making a Difference gives $15,700 to Simon Acts

Patti Wilde and Robin Bleile passed on $15,700 to Simon Acts, the latest non-profit to be chosen by 100 Women Making a Difference. "It was surprising and very humbling and greatly appreciated," said Mark Chase, president of the non-denominational Christian organization. "We're a new organization that's just trying to help people out. When we find out there are other people with the same ambition of helping others, it's heartwarming. They trust us by giving us some of their blessings for us to share with others." He said Simon Acts serves people in the rural and small-town areas of Fitchville, New London, Greenwich, Hartland Center, Wakeman, Clarksfield, North Fairfield and Collins. It works with New London, South Central and Western Reserve school districts. Chase said the name for the group was chosen to reflect the service that Simon, a foreigner, gave to Jesus Christ when Simon stepped forward to help carry the cross as Jesus faltered. "Simon acted," Church said. "So we want to follow that example and act when we see need." Simon Acts now has six programs. One provides financial support such as rent and utilities and has helped 110 families over the past two years with $40,000 in support. Another program has provided Christmas gifts for 84 children in struggling families. Volunteers take the families shopping so families can choose the gifts and the volunteers can get to know the families. A third program provides food baskets at Easter for families in need. Chase said several groups offer food at Thanksgiving and Christmas so Simon Acts chose Easter and helped 64 families last Easter. The non-profit also provides nutritious snacks and easy meals over the summer break for families that the schools refer to them because the children might not be able to get proper meals since school is out. Chase said Simon Acts is supplying 75 families, with 211 children, with food this summer. Simon Acts also works with Second Harvest Food Bank to provide 35 senior citizens with New London and Greenwich zip codes with food baskets monthly. Simon Acts recently accepted the Luke Clemons Fund as their sixth program. That fund was established to help families when a member faces a lift-threatening illness, Chase said, but it was turned over so recently that they haven't set up guidelines for this program yet. Following the motto "Spreading God's love through service to our community," Simon Acts has operated since 2022 with funding from Norwalk Area United Fund, New London Rotary United Fund, Firelands Electric Peoples Fund, 21 st Century Foundation, Rooted in Christ Church of Collins, individual donors and company donors. Simon Acts has also been supported by Second Harvest Food Bank of North Central Ohio. Chase said the donations from 100 Women "will allow us to keep going." "What we really like to do is focus on younger people and elderly people," he said. The organization's website is www.simonacts.com.