Cape May Cares About Christmas—and Beyond
This article first appeared in Cape May Magazine’s Winter 2023 print edition.
The holidays bring on an annual spike of altruism, but this local nonprofit organization maintains a consistent pace of giving back to the community all year round. Founder Keith Lafferty, his wife Cathy Lafferty, and Co-Chair Claudia Von Savage are the pillars of Cape May Cares. Over the past five years—since its inception—they have developed multiple branches of operation, collaboration with local sponsors, and an immense cultural impact in our area.
How Cape May Cares Came About
Humble beginnings make for the most inspirational stories, and Keith Lafferty has had plenty to overcome. From growing up in the Housing Authority of Philadelphia with his mom and sister, he pays forward the kindnesses he was shown then to our Cape May County community, and he has done so since he moved here 18 years ago.
When Keith discovered that the City of Cape May has its own housing authority, he felt compelled to help. His involvement began when he went to the Housing Authority inquiring about how many families lived there, intending to give them Christmas trees. The housing authority holds 30 families, 69 children, 55 seniors, and people with disabilities throughout 85 units.
The Christmas kindness continued when Keith and Cathy, along with their daughters Karli and Koko, would provide presents for local families in need straight out of their own pockets. It was as independent and simple a process as local shopping for local kids. Cathy remembers, “I would tell Karli ‘You have a 9-year-old girl— go’ and she would hunt for presents on the Washington Street Mall.” The Lafferty clan would then return home and perform the work of Santa’s elves by wrapping and personalizing the gifts with the names of their recipients.
This led to Keith being inducted onto the board of the Cape May Housing Authority and soon thereafter chairman of that board.
A board member turnover shifted the dynamics at the Housing Authority and prompted Keith to form Cape May Cares in 2018. In order to continue his mission of helping local families, he thought that teamwork would prove the most efficient strategy. Cathy’s partnership was a given, and the recruitment of Claudia Von Savage officially established the organization.
Claudia reflected on the onset of the venture. “I remember getting a call from Keith telling me how he and Cathy were thinking of expanding their involvement in helping the children living at the Housing Authority from an annual Christmas gift delivery to some kind of program that would offer help and hope the entire year-round. I was all in immediately, and I gravitated towards helping to establish the educational programs.”
“Education is the backbone of Cape May Cares.”
Claudia taught at a middle school in Manhattan for two years, and her experience in the city inspired much of her initiative with the organization: “Many of my students were living in welfare hotels throughout the five boroughs. The experience really opened my eyes to the dynamics of working with school-age children who were dealing with very difficult home and life situations.”
Keith shares this passion for prioritizing education and placed it at the forefront of Cape May Cares. “The ticket out of any socio-economically deprived area is education,” stated Keith. He serves as a strong example since he went to school, became a doctor, and found success through his education.
Cape May Cares currently has almost 40 kids in tutoring programs with 15 active volunteer tutors who offer one-on-one sessions three days a week. Because of the interpersonal nature of the tutoring sessions and the individual attention each child receives, the benefits transcend the contents of the textbooks.
The bonds formed between the children and the volunteers have blossomed into mentorships, an outcome the trio says they never could have predicted but has resulted in undeniable improvement. Students’ grades have improved so much that the organization has developed relationships with the schools, keeping Cape May Cares directly in the loop with the children’s progress.
The organization’s newest development is their scholarship programs. In the spring semester of 2023, they gave two $ 2,000 scholarships to Lower Cape May Regional High School students, a direct example of Keith’s belief that scholastic advancement has the power to break the cycle of poverty.
This is the group’s third year hosting an internship with a Stockton University student specializing in social work. This project helps both the students gain hands-on experience in the field and puts in place another caring figure for the children.
The group has also branched out into art education with renowned artist Mark Innerst. Mark’s work is exhibited in the DC Moore Gallery in New York City and has been displayed in high-profile museums throughout the country. He visits about once a month and conducts a two-hour art class with the children. Each volunteer is cherished at Cape May Cares. As Keith put it “People can give not just treasure but time and talent.”
Holiday Cheer and Charity
Cape May Cares was born from Keith’s Christmas spirit. His concept of playing Santa became an entire operation that benefits families beyond a seasonal expiration date. But this special time of year continues to push Cape May Cares to make the holidays meaningful for families in need.
2023 marks the 10-year anniversary of the Lafferty family providing a bag of presents to a child on Christmas Eve morning. Throughout the past decade, they have supplied presents to an average of 65 children each year, adding up to approximately $65,000 in gifts.
“The kids expect us on Christmas Eve morning by now and wait at the window for Santa to bring a bag of presents to their door,” explained Cathy in gratitude for the growth and impact Cape May Cares has made over the years.
Cathy keeps her finger on the pulse of the Christmas season activity, managing each bag of presents with individualized wish lists and names. At this stage in the game, the gifts are 100% donation-based, which is an extraordinary feat when considering how back in 2013 it began with their time and expense alone.
The supply of presents increases each year, and they partner with other local non-profits like Family Promise, Cape Hope, or Big Brothers Big Sisters to distribute any extra gifts. These organizations share mutual goals prompting them to keep in contact and collaborate.
Support, Sponsors, and Natural Networking
“The people on this island are unbelievable, I’m amazed every day,” gushed Keith when discussing the generosity he has witnessed from members of the community.
Sponsors like Curtis Bashaw, owner of Congress Hall and Cape Resorts, have been beyond instrumental in helping the organization establish credibility and gain resources. “Curtis Bashaw has been a consistent supporter of our cause, whether by hosting Breakfast with Santa at Congress Hall every year for our families or by helping to raise the entire cost of our new family pavilion through the efforts of the Fund for Cape May,” said Claudia.
She went on, “The Wallace Stuard Sailing Foundation at the Corinthian Yacht Club of Cape May has given the children over 40 junior sailing scholarships over the years and an incredible opportunity to leave their apartments in the summer and be outside learning sailing and sportsmanship skills. The Cape May Tennis Club and its new Junior USTA program have provided our kids with terrific opportunities as well. The churches of Cape May are also a great resource and well-supported for our programs. The City Council of Cape May and Police Department, particularly Chief Dekon Fashaw and his secretary Dorann Hemmingway, provide amazing support as well.”
Keith also emphasizes the presence of the Cape May Police Department in this sphere of influence. Chief Dekon Fashaw has spent much personal effort to promote positive exposure of law enforcement to local youth.
Keith reflects on a memorable event that Cape May Cares held at Cape May Brewery to raise funds for a playground and pavilion on the property of the Housing Authority. Their goals were easily met and surpassed with about $30,000 raised at the brewery.
“When you give people an opportunity to give back, through a legitimate and credible platform, they go all out,” says Keith. Cape May Cares allows sponsors and donors to witness how their philanthropy becomes a tangible enhancement to the community.
“Last but not least, the support and expertise that Jackie Jones, Executive Director of the Cape May Housing Authority, and Maryellen Francke, longtime secretary, provide to Cape May Cares have been essential to our growth and success,” added Claudia.
All in all
The Cape May Cares contributions became a reality when they brought me to the grounds of the Housing Authority and walked me through where the tutoring happens. The space holds children’s cubbies and drawings, plenty of books, art supplies, and more; it is an accessible environment that encourages education, growth, and joy.
It was obvious that Keith is a frequent and present figure. His personal relations with the tenants of the Housing Authority demonstrate how invested he is. Keith used personal misfortune as a motivating factor to drive forward his aspirations and infuse that right back into his community. He leads this mission with humility and a refreshing sense of humor.
The generosity and ambition of the volunteers at Cape May Cares have the power to fundamentally change the course of these children’s lives. The many resources they provide to the underserved will have a lasting and rippling effect.
Cape May’s affluence is pronounced and at times starkly distracts from the pockets of the community that are neglected. Funneling equal if not more attention in those directions would serve our area’s greater good. Cape May Cares thinks in terms of the big picture Cape May, not just the picture-perfect Cape May.
How To Get Involved
There is still a great deal in store for this organization, which has seen astounding growth within only five years. They plan to branch out of the boundaries of Cape May City and reach as many people as they can; the possibilities seem limitless.
“Cape May Cares helps to foster community spirit and involvement by providing a vehicle to make volunteering easier,” says Claudia. “There is a saying that ‘great opportunities to help others seldom come, but small ones surround us every day.’ I believe that’s what Cape May Cares is all about!
We welcome all ideas and volunteers who want to share their talent and areas of interest and expertise. I have personally seen the tremendous benefit the children receive from their involvement with caring mentors and encourage anyone who has an hour or two to volunteer—no experience necessary, just a good heart—to contact Cape May Cares.”
If you are interested in volunteering, donating, the annual toy drive, or any further information about Cape May Cares please visit them at capemaycares.org.