The Massachusetts Avenue Project is raising money to help its long-time
partner, the Oles Family Farm, rebuild in the wake of a barn fire.
MAP’s shareholders have already donated to The Oles Family Farm in Corfu,
and the organization as a whole
is raising money in any way possible.
"We've already raised some
money for them and offered to go help put the barn up and help with any labor
needs they have, once we know what they need," said Diane Picard, executive director of MAP.
According to Picard, donations
prove vital because although the community is working to help, it may not cover
the total amount of loss.
The partnership between the two organizations spans back to about six or
seven years, including the annual Tour de Farms event, in which the Oles have
donated their farm as the destination point.
"They have been incredibly generous to us and so many other people,”
said Picard. “We really value their partnership and friendship and it is an
awful thing that happened, so we are trying to do what we can to help."
Jane Oles, co-owner of the Oles Family Farm, said that they are
rebuilding and focusing on the new structure of the barn, and are hoping to
have it finished by November.
Oles said that the
outpour of support the farm has, serves a builder of faith within the
community. Story by Lakisha Ford and
Narmeen Karzoun
