$12,000 WCF Donation Will Allow 60 WHS Students To Attend Vinceremos

By Denise Fleischman - January 11, 2019

In collaboration with the Village of Wellington, the Wellington Community Foundation has donated $12,000 to give 60 Wellington High School students the opportunity to participate in programs at the Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center. A check presentation was made at the Tuesday, Jan. 8 meeting of the Wellington Village Council.

Vinceremos offers therapeutic riding programs, hippotherapy and equine-assisted learning. It is accredited by the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship (PATH) and has been serving individuals with disabilities in central Palm Beach County for more than 35 years.

The benefits of therapeutic riding include improved balance, core strength and refined motor skills, all done in a fun, recreational setting. The lessons provide social interaction and camaraderie while riders learn equestrian skills, build self-confidence and independence.

“These types of programs fall right in line with our foundation’s mission,” said Tom Wenham, chair of the Wellington Community Foundation.

The foundation is committed to benefiting seniors, children and veterans in the Wellington community by supporting and improving their quality of life. “That is exactly what this donation will do — afford an opportunity that can greatly impact these students’ lives,” Wenham said.

He went on to share how during a visit to Vinceremos, he witnessed first-hand a young child unable to walk being lifted from his wheelchair and placed in the saddle of a horse waiting to take him around the ring. “Can you imagine the power that child felt?” Wenham asked. “That is what got to me.”

The foundation’s board of directors voted unanimously to fund the project in 2019. Foundation board members were joined by Wellington High School and Vinceremos representatives at the Jan. 8 council meeting.

In attendance to accept the donation were Assistant Village Manager Jim Barnes; Vinceremos founder Ruth Menor and Chief Operating Officer Susan Guinan; Wellington High School Principal Cara Hayden and ESE Coordinator Suzanne Pollard; as well as Wellington Community Foundation board members and the Wellington Village Council.

Wellington Community Foundation Wraps More Than 270 Christmas Gifts

By Town-Crier Editor-December 21, 2018

Many underprivileged Wellington children will receive a gift package filled with new sneakers, socks, underwear and an age-appropriate toy this Christmas season thanks to the generous donations of the many supporters of the Wellington Community Foundation.

The foundation worked directly with Beverly Perham and the team at the local nonprofit Back To Basics to identify children participating in the Angel Tree Program, which provides basic necessities for children in need. For many of these children, it may be the only gifts they will receive for Christmas. This project is directly in line with the Wellington Community Foundation’s mission to serve children, seniors and veterans in need.

After Wellington Community Foundation board members Maggie Zeller and Hope Barron did hours of shopping, the foundation held a gift-wrapping party at center court in the original Wellington Mall on Friday, Nov. 30 to wrap more than 270 gifts in preparation for the foundation’s visit to local schools to deliver the packages in time for Christmas.

“We are committed to benefiting the residents by supporting and improving their quality of life,” WCF Chair Tom Wenham said. “It is an honor to work with a team that is so dedicated to serve our most vulnerable neighbors: our children, seniors and veterans of Wellington.”

This is the third-consecutive year that the foundation has participated with Back to Basics and the Angel Tree Program.

The Wellington Community Foundation is a charitable organization committed to “building a stronger community” for the residents of Wellington by supporting and improving their quality of life.

For more information on how you can get involved, call (561) 333-9843 or visitwww.wellingtoncommunityfoundation.org.

WCF Receives A $10,000 Grant From The Quantum Foundation

By Town-Crier Editor-November 23, 2018

The Wellington Community Foundation recently received a $10,000 grant from the Quantum Foundation to help continue the local nonprofit’s mission to help seniors, veterans and children in Wellington.

The grant was awarded at a breakfast held earlier this month at the Riviera Beach Marina. Quantum awarded grants totaling $750,000 to 94 organizations. Wellington Community Foundation Chair Tom Wenham and Secretary Mickey Smith were on hand to receive the grant money.

“The breakfast was very moving, and it was inspirational for us to see all the good work the Quantum Foundation does,” Wenham wrote in a letter thanking the foundation for the grant. “Rest assured, we will be good stewards of the funds we were given. Furthermore, we are anxious to participate in the educational programs that the Quantum Foundation provides.”

The grant was part of the eighth annual Quantum in the Community initiative that provides funds for operating support in amounts up to $25,000 to qualifying nonprofits that help meet the basic needs of the county’s most vulnerable residents. The grantee organizations represent all corners of the county.

In 2011, Quantum made a commitment to this annual program when surveys showed that local nonprofits were struggling to keep their doors open. Since then, the foundation has awarded a total of $5.5 million through this initiative.

Applications open in the spring and funds are awarded in November. Visitwww.quantumfnd.org/quantum-in-the-community for more info.

Learn more about the work of the Wellington Community Foundation atwww.wellingtoncommunityfoundation.org.

WCF Hosts ‘A Salute To Our Heroes’ Fundraiser

By Denise Fleischman-November 16, 2018

The Wellington Community Foundation held its third annual Red, White & Blue Jeans event to honor local veterans and heroes on Friday, Nov. 9 at the Wellington National Golf Club. The evening was dubbed “A Salute To Our Heroes,” and many local heroes were honored, including a special guest of honor, U.S. Air Force veteran Ken Adams. This patriotic event brings the community together for dinner, dancing and a special ceremony honoring veterans, including those missing in action. Along with recognizing all veterans in attendance, special recognition awards were given out to U.S. Air Force veteran Al Ziker, Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue Capt. Bob Dawson, Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office Detective Daniel Delia, Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue Capt. Tom Dalman, U.S. Air Force Academy recruit Wyatt Boswell, U.S. Air Force Academy recruit Mikey Garofalo and U.S. Air Force Academy recruit Zack Beatty.

WCF’s Red, White & Blue Jeans Fundraiser Returning On Nov. 9

By M. Dennis Taylor-November 2, 2018

With November underway, the Wellington Community Foundation is gearing up for its growing tradition, the annual Red, White & Blue Jeans “Salute To Our Heroes” benefit.

This year, the fundraiser will once again be held at the Wellington National Golf Club on Friday, Nov. 9 from 6:30 to 10 p.m.

“We hold the event in November, so it is near Veterans Day,” explained Tom Wenham, chair of the Wellington Community Foundation. “It brings a lot of people together.”

The patriotic evening is where veterans and local heroes, their families and members of the Wellington community come together for a night of camaraderie, patriotism, gratitude and fun — and raising money for a great cause.

The Wellington Community Foundation is a nonprofit charitable organization committed to benefiting community residents by supporting and improving their quality of life, particularly for children, seniors and veterans.

Wenham, along with foundation board members attorney Mickey Smith of Lesser, Lesser, Landy & Smith and Robbin Lee, CEO of Wellington Regional Medical Center, are enthusiastic about the continued success of the November fundraiser, which has been growing each year.

The number of people in attendance last year was approximately 170. Although only begun two years ago, the event raised more than $55,000 last year — all of which is used to support those in the Wellington community.

Wenham explained that the 2018 edition will be bigger, better and even more fun than its successful predecessors.

“It is cocktails, dinner and a dance. It’s red, white and blue jeans, with the emphasis on jeans,” Wenham explained. “It is a casual event. There’s no need to get dressed up. Just a sports shirt and a red, white and blue combo.”

Smith highlighted the fun aspects of the evening. “This event is just plain, laid-back fun,” he said. “An added bonus is the fact that all the money raised will stay right here in Wellington to help our children, seniors and veterans. It’s truly a win-win situation. I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

Wenham explained that the fundraiser is a double event, designed to honor and recognize Wellington’s veterans and first responders, and to raise funds to help seniors, veterans and children.

Lee said that the foundation puts its focus on community awareness.

“We give back to our neighbors,” she said. “We help those in the community. For example, we have bought school uniforms, and done other projects supporting seniors and veterans.”

Earlier this year, the foundation signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Village of Wellington to work on charitable community projects.

“This has worked out very well,” Wenham said. “The village knows that we will get things done and done right.”

Wenham remarked that the formalized cooperation with the village helps the efforts to serve Wellington residents in need.

Wenham explained examples of how the MOU with the village facilitates the efforts of the foundation in helping seniors who are aging-in-place, by doing home modification programs, such as installing a new hot water heater for an elderly resident. They have put in wheelchair ramps for veterans in need and supplied 600 school uniforms to help provide for children.

“The Red, White & Blue Jeans event is the best event of the whole year,” Lee said. “I am so looking forward to it. We have a good time doing it.”

Smith is excited about the social aspects of the evening. “After all, how many premier events can you attend in blue jeans and have the opportunity to chat with so many of your Wellington friends and neighbors?” he asked.

Wenham thanked the many volunteers and sponsors who make the event possible.

“We have assembled a super group of people from the community as volunteers,” he said. “Ticket sales are brisk with people buying tickets and tables.”

For questions about the Red, White & Blue Jeans event, or to secure your tickets, call Wenham at (561) 333-9843.