EVENTS
What
has the Walter E. Fernald Association been doing in 2008?
READ
BELOW
Our monthly birthday parties are
still being held the third Wednesday of the month at 6:00p.m-8:00p.m. at
the Activity Center. We supply entertainment, cake, ice cream and sodas.
The students from Xavarian High school help out at every party from
September thru May. The residents are thrilled with their company. There
is a different theme each month according to what Holiday is falling in
that month.
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The annual Square Dance was held on April. 30th, 2007 .
Jane Carlson, a square dance caller is hired each year and does a
wonderful job. She makes sure there are many wheel-chair square dances
for the residents. Everyone is treated to lots of goodies , cold drinks,
coffee and photographs
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This year instead of our annual banquet we decided to
honor all the kind neighbors and friends who go to the cottages and pick
up any residents who are wheelchair bound. They then push the residents
in their wheelchairs to the Chapel Sunday service. They were all honored
with gift certificates and a Brunch catered by Morrison Health Services
which was held at the Hillside Volunteer Center. A good time was had by
all. Some of the volunteers have been doing this for years. Many of the
residents wouldn’t be able to attend the service without their help.
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Every year the Association honors a few of the residents
who have stood out for one reason or another and are usually honored at
our annual banquet. This year on April 24th they were honored at a
luncheon that was held at the Activity Center. Eight of the residents
were honored with a prime rib dinner and each was given an appropriate
gift. Their families were invited to attend and photos and fun was had by
all.
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The Association is always on the lookout for special
people that do an extraordinary job in whatever field of endeavor they
work at. We had a worker from FM&M who comes to clean many areas of the
Fernald Center. This gentleman was always so polite, always willing to do
anything extra that was asked of him, he always wore a smile and would go
about his work without bothering anyone, but always mindful to watch out
for anything he could do extra to help. We decided to have a little
luncheon to honor him and invited a few of the personnel from FM&M to
enlighten them to what a great person he was. They greatly appreciated
our thoughtfulness, and Jose Greca was so thrilled that someone would
honor him, he was delighted. It was a small luncheon, but was duly
appreciated.
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In March we had a fundraiser with Yankee Candle. A letter
was sent out to all our donors and friends who cooperated with us. It was
very successful and raised close to $1400.00. All monies raised goes
directly to the residents for parties, needs for the indigent residents or
just helping out any way we can to make life a little easier for our very
worthy residents.
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We have donated to many other affairs that have been held
at the Center – We donated to the Sukkot that was held for our Jewish
residents, the Sports day that was held at one of the workshops, as well
as $1200.00 donated to the vacation fund to enable the indigent residents
to go on day trips with the other residents.
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On August 7th a group of Xavarian
students are coming for a special day with the residents. The Xavarian
High School has been sending students to volunteer for the last ten
years. It has been greatly appreciated and the residents really enjoy
their input. It has not as yet been finalized as to what the day will
encompass, but it is sure to be filled with fun
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No dates have been set for the many other parties we will
sponsor, but we will keep you updated on our later ventures. We will soon
be sponsoring our annual Memorial Service,
Our annual ball to choose a King
and Queen for 2008, and it won’t be long before we start our Wish List.
We have many local donors that buy gifts for the residents for the
Holidays, otherwise the Association buys gifts for all the residents,(3
for each) which run from a baseball cap to a winter coat or a new TV.
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FORMER EVENTS
2006 & 2007
In December of 2007 the Fernald
Association completed the annual Holiday Wish List.
The Association
distributed over 1,150 gifts to the Fernald Center and 11 group homes.
Our heartfelt thanks to all the sponsors who made this possible and to the
many, many volunteers who donated their time at the busiest time of the
year. This could not have been done without your help.
The Association purchased, wrapped
and distributed over 200 gifts ranging from small toys to winter coats,
bedding, massagers, Clementines to fruit baskets. Here is what the
Volunteer Center looked before the pickup:
There were 126 large black bags, 9 boxes, 2 TV’s and 1 large stereo.
All of this could not have been
accomplished without the help of our teenage group who handled a lot of
the wrapping -- Emily McDonough, Catherine DelloRusso, Carla Baptiste,
Siobhan Kelly, Kateri Thekaekara, Samara, Gary, Justina, Donna, Tara, Joe,
Murray, Doris McPeek, Diane B, Nancy, Gale, and Mike.
There
are so many people to which we owe thanks for help with
the Wish List. Thank you!!
We also owe thanks to our nearby businesses who bought so many of the
gifts, and sent them all prettily wrapped. We thank for selling
innumerable tickets for our Holiday Calendar, the proceeds of which pays
for this program.
Click HERE for
2007-2008
Calendar Square Winners
Now,
it's on to the current year and among the events planned are:
Employee of the month
receptions
Birthday Parties
Valentine's Day Party
Square Dance
Appreciation Dinner
Young at Heart Ball
Annual Memorial Service
Band Concert
Festival (Summer) On Grounds
Evening Concert
Harvest Ball
Holiday Party for all
residents and their families
Annual Wish List
