‘So heartwarming’

LEOMINSTER —A significant donation was recently made to city-based nonprofit Fostering Change.

The over $21,000 in funding came about through the efforts of Cheryl Noel, the now former madame state president of the Fraternal Order of Eagles (FOE) Auxiliary in Massachusetts who has long been part of the international nonprofit organization uniting in the spirit of liberty, truth, justice, and equality for people.

“The FOE donates more than $10 million a year to local communities, fundraisers, charities, and more,” said the woman who lives locally and has belonged to the FOE Aerie Worcester #4311 for two decades. “As part of its philosophy, the FOE gives back 100% of monies raised in the form of grants and as madame state president during my 2025-26 term, I chose Fostering Change as my local charity and with the help of our local clubs and individual contributions raised $ 21,017.34.”

Noel brought in the money through a collaboration with all of the FOE clubs in the state, selling potholders her girlfriend made along with tickets to raffles while visiting the women’s auxiliaries throughout the state and holding bingo events after her state meetings. She relayed that she is proud to be part of the FOE, whose motto is “People Helping People,” and is “deeply touched and honored and have so much gratitude for everyone’s help and excited to present Fostering Change with a large donation.”

Fostering Change Founder and President Lindsey English said the generous gesture “means so much to the kids we support.”

“The amount of funds that were donated would take us four to five years to raise using our normal fundraising opportunities,” she disclosed. “This donation allows us to breathe a little and be able to focus on targeting more of our efforts toward the programs and resources we provide.  This has truly been a blessing to us, and we cannot thank Cheryl and the Eagles organization enough for what they have given us.”

English founded Fostering Change in April of 2018, pulling from her own experience as a foster child on and off as an infant and then again from 15 to 19 years old. The Leominster nonprofit’s own motto is “Forging Family through Community” and more information on what they do for foster kids of all ages from all over the area and state year-round can be found by following Fostering Change on Facebook.

English was joined by several Fostering Change board members for the check presentation on Aug. 8 at the Leominster Eagles #477 on Litchfield St. Noel disclosed that selecting Fostering Change as the donation recipient comes from a personal place for her having also been in the foster system herself.

“I knew the challenges of transitioning out of foster care and into my own apartment at the age of 17,” she shared. “Fostering Change supports this along with a long list of other aid for foster children and their families and it was so heartwarming to be able to fundraise throughout my term and watch the funds grow.”