Situated on 400 acres of beautiful rolling farmland in Southeastern Massachusetts, the Wrentham Developmental Center has long enjoyed positive relations with its neighbors and the surrounding community. For many years, a sizable number of volunteer and civic organizations, serving in numerous volunteer capacities, have generously donated their time and resources to benefit the facility’s residents. These groups and individuals have put in literally tens of thousands of hours, with individual contributions ranging from anywhere between 2 to 40 hours per month. Our affiliations include: the Blessed Sacrament Church in Walpole; Foxboro; St. Mary’s Church, Wrentham; Boy Scout Troops in Wrentham, Plainville, and Foxboro; Honor Society Students from Foxboro and Wrentham; the gold-medal winning King Philip Band; the Wrentham Lions Club; the Foxboro Jaycees; Community Friends for Human Services, Boston, Walpole, and Foxboro; Bishop Feehan High School; Martin Elementary School, North Attleboro; Medway VFW; Wrentham Sportsmens’ Club; MyMandi Cricket Club, Attleboro; Norfolk American Legion.
The following organizations have been particularly generous in remembering Wrentham when donating clothing, furniture, and other items, particularly around the holiday season: Blessed Sacrament Church, Walpole; St. Timothy’s Church, Norwood; Methodist Church, Plainville; FM Global, Norwood; Norfolk County District Attorney’s Office, Dedham.
Additionally, we remain fortunate to be associated with a varied and talented group of sports and media celebrities.
The strong relationship we continue to enjoy with the New England Patriots was forged more than 28 years ago, as a result of Steve Nelson’s and Steve Zabel’s request to use the Center’s pool for hydrotherapy. Because of the close bond and friendship that ensued, there have been many shared parties, football games, sports days, tours, presentations, special events, and good times, in general. Today, the New England Patriots continue to be represented on the Board of Directors. Steve King, current President of the Friends of Wrentham, Inc., remains a driving force to the success of the charity organization. Prior to his appointment, Tim Fox and Steve Nelson served many successful years. Bill Lenkaitis and many other friends continue to advocate with the same commitment they demonstrated on the playing field. The Friends of Wrentham, Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to raising funds, owes its origin to this relationship and is dedicated to improving the quality of life for the men and women who live at Wrentham Developmental Center.
Due to the generosity, talent and commitment of all our volunteers, the Friends of Wrentham continues to thrive and grow and successfully sponsors the following major fund-raising events each year:
Celebrity Golf Tournament – This annual event attracts 200 participants for the day plus an additional 100 for the evening dinner/auction.
Cracker-Barrel Fair – This 4-day fall festival attracts between 6,000 and 8,000 people and includes food booths, live entertainment, carnival rides, 4-H exhibits, fireworks, and much more.
Spring Fund-raiser – This is a black-tie optional Dinner Dance and Auction held in spring, which attracts between 300 – 500 patrons.
Holiday Gift Drive – Every Christmas, the Volunteer Services Department coordinates the donation of over 1400 gifts from surrounding businesses and families.
Through these fundraising efforts, important facility adaptations have been made and valuable supplies and equipment purchased, including:
- Mile-and-a-half, 12-station par-fitness course
- 40’ x 60’ handicapped-accessible pavilion with a recreational and leisure park
- A technological resource center that enables residents to be more independent
- 20’ x 40’ greenhouse at the Quinn Program Center, equipped with the supplies and resources for a Hortitherapy program
- Expressive Arts
- Two screened-in porches with accessibility for people who are elderly and physically handicapped.
- Six pieces of physical fitness equipment for the gymnasium
- A “Memorial Walk” (outdoor walkway and water garden) in memory of deceased residents, parents, family members, and staff
- Auditorium renovations – flooring
- A multi-sensory program room for residents
- Sponsorship of special resident parties and events (i.e., Spring Fling, St. Patrick’s Day Party, etc.)
- Furniture for the sun deck of one of the residences
- Funding toward the Drop-In Center and its activities and entertainment
- Funding of “The Pines,” an outdoor recreational area with a shed, picnic tables, and a campfire pit
- New surround sound television projection system with DVC & VCR
Wrentham Developmental Center is extremely grateful to its many volunteers for their contributions. Their help with everything from transporting residents to church services, holding clothing drives, raising funds for a new auditorium stage curtain, assisting with campus beautification, and painting homes and other areas, to purchasing TV’s, stereos, and equipment, and Christmas gifts for our residents enriches and touches lives. Because of the generosity of these fine individuals, our residents enjoy a far better quality of life. Their efforts are both invaluable and deeply appreciated.
|
