CHEECH OUTREACH
Spa City resident looks to help community’s homeless and less fortunate
Spa City resident Michael Cecchini is making an impact in his community through Cheech Outreach.
Founded in 2020, Cheech Outreach is a local initiative with a mission of helping the homeless and less fortunate citizens of Saratoga Springs and Saratoga County.
Cheech Outreach helps those in need in a wide variety of ways. Beyond regularly providing donations of food, clothing and firewood, this effort has assisted individuals in securing housing and employment.
Though often one of the best ways to help, Cecchini said, is simply being there to listen.
By spending time getting to know people, Cecchini is better able to help them. “You can help a friend more than you can help a stranger,” he said.
Cheech Outreach operates differently than area nonprofits with similar missions, and thinking outside the box has proven successful so far.
No matter what the task at hand, “My whole goal is to spread kindness,” said Cecchini, who believes there should be no red tape when someone in need is seeking something as basic as food or clothing.
Since Cheech Outreach got started last year, Cecchini has used social media to grow. Posting videos on Facebook and Instagram has been extremely effective when seeking donations.
Cecchini’s approach to running this operation is a bit unconventional, but it’s working.
In just the past few months, several homeless individuals, who were previously living in the woods, have moved into better environments thanks to the efforts of Cheech Outreach.
With no experience in the nonprofit sector, the former semi-pro hockey player admits that he never imagined he’d be leading this type of endeavor - but it’s been the coolest thing he’s ever done.
“I won the state championships. I’ve hit a hole in one in golf. I’ve done a lot of cool things, but this is by far the most fulfilling,” he said. “I love it.”
When Cecchini made a connection with some folks among the homeless community in Saratoga Springs, he was inspired to do everything in his power to help.
Before this chance encounter, “I never knew that I was passionate about this,
or even cared about it,” said Cecchini, who has found a new sense of purpose in running Cheech Outreach.
“I changed my whole life around,” Cecchini shared, explaining that he traded his car for a truck that’s better equipped for snow removal and firewood deliveries, and sold his entire collection of autographed football helmets to buy essentials for his new friends.
From Cheech Outreach’s first donation to its recent growth, “Everything happened so organically. Nothing was forced,” Cecchini said.
Next, as Cheech Outreach continues to evolve, Cecchini plans to start a landscaping business called Cheech Enterprises LLC, through which he can provide employment to some of the guys he’s met.
Other goals for the future of Cheech Outreach are to raise awareness about the organization, and get the community more involved.
Cheech Outreach is currently seeking a storage space, and invited anyone who may be able to help to reach out.
More information about Cheech Outreach is available online at www.facebook.com/cheechoutreach and @cheechoutreach on Instagram.
Anyone interested in donating or volunteering with Cheech Outreach can contact the organization on these social media pages.
Cheech Outreach can also be contacted by email at cheechoutreach@gmail. com.