Women and Wishes to hold fundraiser Friday

NAHANT – Beverley Dawson aims to fill the cracks in the social system, one washing machine at a time.As president of the New England chapter of Women and Wishes, Dawson brought the organization, with its mission of “helping women through life’s challenges,” to Nahant two years ago after volunteering for its Florida chapter. Its five fundraising events have provided 20 wishes for local women, and they are gearing up to give one more after the Comedy Night fundraiser on Friday.”Women need it everywhere, but when my back door is Lynn there’s a lot to be done,” said Dawson. “I’m such a supporter of women, and the trials and tribulation we go through.”Dawson said the wishes are granted to women who are American citizens and live paycheck to paycheck to barely make ends meet, yet receive no local, state or federal assistance. “It’s so sad that American women who are out busting their buns and can’t get assistance,” said Dawson. “They are actually going out and contributing to society, and then they are out of luck when something happens. There’s so many people like that, it’s a shame.”Dawson said the wishes help these women out of “a bump in the road,” like when the organization purchased a washing machine for a woman who was hand washing her family’s laundry for months after her machine broke down. Last winter two women were provided with heating oil for their families to keep warm. A majority of the wishes pay for a month’s rent or mortgage payments, and plenty other wishes are granted for food, gas or clothing. Dawson said she has even advocated for women in court who were about to be evicted.”Everything that we’ve done are necessities,” said Dawson. “These women are basically living hand to mouth, then they come to a bump in the road and there’s nothing for them, and that’s where Women and Wishes comes into play.”Dawson recalled how one woman drove a van to work everyday, plus used it for a pickup and drop-off service at night for extra money. “When the van broke down, she couldn’t get to work or do her second job, and then she was really in a bad situation,” said Dawson. “There are so many women who have that bump in the road.”Dawson said she wishes the organization could give more wishes. “We can only have so many fundraisers,” she said. “We’ve almost done one wish every month. It’s unbelievable.”Dawson said Friday’s Comedy Night at the Nahant Country Club from 7 to 10 p.m. is one of the less expensive fundraising events so they can get a lot of attendees. Other events they’ve held include a Madhatter’s Tea and Sweet Repeats, a used clothing sale.Comedy Night will feature four comedians and “the best food – for $25 you can’t go wrong,” said Dawson. There will also be baskets filled with liquor, lottery tickets, jewelry and gift certificates to women’s stores. For tickets, contact Dawson at the country club at 781-581-0515.Women who have wishes to be granted, are American citizens and receive no assistance (including food stamps) can go to the organization’s website, www.womenandwishes.org, to apply for a wish.When asked if men will ever be included in the mix for wishes, Dawson said that question recently came up at a board meeting when a single father expressed the need for assistance. “I’m not opposed to giving wishes to men,” she said. “There are a lot of dads out there who need help. Probably down the road we’ll be giving wishes to men as well.”Kait Taylor can be reached at [email protected].