How GoodWorks’ Handcrafted Products Help the Homeless

“Sunday Breakfast on the Beach” is a weekly event spearheaded by Al Siekert and the nonprofit Al & Friends which prepares and serves a hot breakfast to approximately 80 homeless people every Sunday in Monterey. Volunteers set up tables and chairs, and serve a hardy, healthy meal prepared from scratch. Donated supplies, new and used clothing, and bedding are also distributed.

To assist Al & Friends with fundraising, Christian Gebhardt, (a Carmel High School student), began a community-based initiative in 2017 which he branded GoodWorks to produce and sell handcrafted wood products. 100% of the proceeds are donated to Al & Friends. The funds raised by GoodWorks help Al & Friends to purchase groceries and provide much needed clothing and supplies to the homeless.

To date, GoodWorks has raised over $12,500 (current as of 10/2019) for Al & Friends. Al Siekert, the Founder of Al & Friends comments, “The funds from GoodWorks have made a significant difference to our organization. We need and appreciate donated food and clothing, but monetary contributions enable us to target the money to where it is most needed.”

The production of the wine stands and candle votives is a community-wide effort. Local wineries donate the French Oak staves; Christian designs and produces the products with the assistance of teacher Matt Ishler at the Carmel Middle School woodshop; and Christian markets the products to local residents, event planners, businesses and retailers who display and promote the products for sale.

A strong selling feature is that the wine stands can be custom-etched with names, logos or short messages which makes them ideal for customer or board member meetings, wine club mailings, golf member-guest prizes, realtor house-warming gifts, wedding favors, and birthday, anniversary and thank you gifts. The votive candleholders make beautiful centerpieces for dining table, coffee tables and wine cellars.

Building Community

In addition to fundraising, GoodWorks is about: raising social awareness and understanding of the complexities around homelessness, building a compassionate, caring, engaged community, and coming together to find new and innovative ways to support those who face short and long term challenges.

Want to get involved and make a difference?

Please contact Christian Gebhardt at cggoodworks@gmail.com to discuss how you can help.