Mohawk Valley Gives Week Kicked off at The Community Giving and Mural Party

By Cheyenne Dorsagno

The fourth-annual Mohawk Valley Gives Campaign kicked off in Herkimer with The Community Giving and Mural Party organized and hosted by the nonprofit, The Art Thing Collaborative, at the recently-opened Stone Soup American Bistroon Monday evening.

The eclectic face of the venue invited visitors to a packed aisle of tables that led to a bustling backyard. There, a few children played darts on the board hanging on the blue, upcycled storage unit that drinks were served from. Music featured songs like “Dancing in the Moonlight”. Volunteer artists from The Art Thing Collaborative were live-painting a mural of soup flowing across the back of the neighboring building – the waves of broth carried a large onion. Other scenic touches included empty wooden barrels and leafy vines encasing the surrounding fences.

One event attendant, Kameron Omidian, commented on the energetic atmosphere: “Many people are dedicating their personal time to share in the spirit of giving. The people here are friendly, upbeat, and glad to donate, because they understand the missions of the nonprofits. Everyone’s happy to be here, and it’s a good time. And the food is great!”

The diverse menu featured dishes ranging from Creole shrimp to Korean bibimbap.

There were periodic announcements: “We are here tonight to celebrate community and those who help serve.”

Nonprofits join The Art Thing Collaborative to enjoy a night connecting with the community

A few distinct local nonprofits lined the endpoint of the beer garden: Arc Herkimer, Hoffman Wellness Collective(HWC), and Mohawk Valley Today.

Arc Herkimer

Arc Herkimer intends to empower people with intellectual and developmental disabilities with transportation services, career connections, accessible recreation, fundraising, and other support.

Hoffman Wellness Center

HWC aims to enrich Herkimer County with bikes, gardens, programs, and wellness initiatives.

“We believe healthy choices should be accessible everywhere,” said Elizabeth and Justin Hoffman of the HWC.

Mohawk Valley Today

Mohawk Valley Today is emblematic of the event as a comprehensive champion of the Mohawk Valley, serving Fulton, Herkimer, Montgomery, Oneida, Otsego, and Schoharie counties. This regional hubeducates the public on our shared history, current events, local businesses, recreational opportunities, and agricultural resources. That way, people can truly “live local” in a defining, mutually-beneficial way.

During the event, Mohawk Valley Today offered a free photo booth where folks stopped by to have a bit of fun.

“When people come to our Mohawk Valley Today tent and realize we’re giving them printed Polaroid photos, for free, their faces light up.”

These are just a few examples of the over 400 organizations that can be empowered by the Mohawk Valley Gives campaign through this Friday.

UpMobility Foundation, NYSTEC, The ShoreLine Group Fund, and The Griffin Charitable Foundation are offering matching gifts to double or even triple the power of donations!

The public can join in doing their part until fundraising ends midnight on September 19.