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Butter Paddle celebrates 40 years of raising funds to help children

By Shannon Burkey

It all began with a group of women, a few bake sales and a desire to help, but over the years it has evolved into so much more.

In 1967, the women of the Junior Auxiliary decided they needed something more than cupcakes and cookies to raise the amount of money they wanted for EMQ Children and Family Services, a nonprofit agency that helps children deal with complex emotional, social and behavioral issues.

"The women wanted to have some sort of stable fundraising means to support EMQ and they came up with the Butter Paddle," said Susie Schechter, a Junior Auxiliary member and 16-year volunteer at the Butter Paddle.

Now, 40 years and $3 million later, the women who run the Butter Paddle have a lot to celebrate as they come upon their anniversary.

"We're delighted that we've been able to do so much for the kids," Schechter said. "Everybody wants to raise more and more money because EMQ does such a wonderful job, and when we hear from someone who has really been impacted by what EMQ can do, it revs us up even more."

When the Butter Paddle opened its doors 40 years ago, its concept was innovative for the time. It was the first gourmet kitchen store in the Santa Clara Valley and it was going to be run completely by volunteers so that all the money made could be donated to EMQ.

Today, more than 70 volunteers--all Junior Auxiliary members--run the store and each year it brings in between $80,000 and $100,000 for EMQ.

The funds raised from the store have helped with many of EMQ's programs, including its art and music therapy program and its wrap-around program, which at its inception was an innovative program unlike anything else in the state.

"The impact they have had has been more than just money. They raise money, but equally important is that they help shape the vision of EMQ," said Scott Staub, EMQ's vice president of fund development. "Especially with our wrap-around program, the ladies believed when no one else did and they helped to launch it."

Donna Butcher has been a volunteer at the Butter Paddle for 24 years and recently became a member of EMQ's board of directors.

"I love the cause," Butcher said. "I think mental health for our children is just about the most important cause there is. It's just a wonderful thing to know we've been able to do all the extras for the kids that would not have been there had we not been there."

Like the women who expanded their fundraising efforts, the Butter Paddle has expanded its stock to keep up with the times. Along with cookware and kitchen items, the store now also carries a wide variety of other items, including pottery, baby items, books, high-end food products, wine accessories and home accessories.

"We have wonderful customers and they come back over and over because they really feel they are making a difference," Schechter said. "People appreciate that we have the merchandise they're looking for but at the same time people really like the idea that they are helping the kids."

And knowing that they are helping the kids is what the volunteers said keeps them going.

"I really feel the cause," Schechter said. "There are so many kids in need and its wonderful that we can contribute to help better their lives."