Michael's Treasure 603 of Rochester aims to help nonprofit agencies: 'People need help'

ROCHESTER — The mission of a newly formed charity in the Rochester area is to lift up and support other charities through their own fundraising efforts.

Michael's Treasure 603 Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit operated entirely by volunteers who want to help shape a better community, according to Kevin Gauthier, its president. The founders, most of them members of the fraternal organization Knights of Columbus, have already planned their first event.

A three-course dinner and dance will be held on Saturday, Feb. 11, from 5-10 p.m., at Holy Rosary Church, 189 North Main St., in Rochester. Tickets are $25 each, or $180 for a table of eight.

"We started this in response to watching what is going on in the world today," Gauthier said. "A lot of people need help, and we think we have found a way to make that happen."

How Michael's Treasure 603 will work

The goal of the charity is to raise money, and to donate it to established groups working to build better lives.

"People need help with rent, with finding a home, with substance use," said Gauthier. "We are not equipped to take on such hefty issues, but we know there are plenty of agencies who are tackling them."

Michael's Treasure 603 will raise and donate money to those agencies.

"We have even talked about possibly setting up a scholarship fund," Gauthier said. "We are just starting out so we are still formulating ideas."

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The mission statement of the new charity is: "Build better communities by raising funds to ensure teachers have material for every student, charitable pantries and kitchens have food and clothing items to help the less fortunate, and assisting pregnancy, child, and adult care centers to ensure they are equipped to provide support and dignity to those they serve."

Tom McNamara, secretary/treasurer for the group, said, "The purpose of the charity is to help people rise above their current conditions, recognizes their dignity, and equip them to help shape a better community."

He said local charities that will benefit will include Vouchers for Veterans, churches, food and soup kitchens and pantries, a local Share Fund, homeless shelters, a pregnancy help center, local public and private nonprofit schools from day care centers through high school, and their students, teachers, and administrators with classroom materials and food stuffs and the Salvation Army. Also planned are public service events such a dinner to honor first responders and American Red Cross blood drives.

Father Michael McGivney is namesake of Michael's Treasure 603

The name Michael's Treasure 603 has deep meaning to the group. It is named after Father Michael McGivney, who founded the Knights on March 29, 1882.

"Now there are over 12,000 councils here, and in Europe and Asia," McNamara said.

This article originally appeared on Fosters Daily Democrat: New Rochester charity aims to support other charities who help people