WCF Distributes 600 Backpacks, 300 School Uniforms To Local Students

By Denise Fleischman - August 16, 2019

The Wellington Community Foundation recently partnered with the Village of Wellington and the local nonprofit organization Back to Basics to help Wellington students be prepared for a successful school year.

Hundreds of students attended Wellington’s annual event Back to School Bash held at the Wellington Community Center on Saturday, July 27. At that event, 250 of the backpacks, filled with school supplies, were given away, along with hundreds of new school uniforms that were purchased by the foundation through funding from supporters, donors and grants received throughout the year.

WCF Chair Tom Wenham, along with board members Mickey Smith, Maria Becker, James Seder, Pam Tahan and Maggie Zeller were happy to see the many smiles on students’ faces first-hand as they picked their favorite color backpack.

Foundation board members were back in action on Tuesday, Aug. 6 when they joined Back to Basics to distribute school uniforms. The Wellington Community Foundation sponsored uniforms for three Wellington elementary schools: Elbridge Gale, New Horizons and Binks Forest.

“Because of our donors’ generous donations, we were able to help kids right here in the Village of Wellington,” Wenham said. “The Wellington Community Foundation will continue to be an integral part of the Wellington community, helping seniors, children and veterans, and together continue ‘Building a Stronger Community.’ We want to thank everyone for their involvement.”

Zeller was pleased at how the project came together. “Working with Wellington’s staff was such a pleasure,” she said. “The attention to detail helped ensure all students received these much-needed items, and we look forward to participating again next year.”

Smith thanked the foundation’s many supporters for making it all happen. “Contributors to the Wellington Community Foundation have every reason to feel proud,” he noted. “Their generosity is helping deserving students here in our community by providing them the tools they need to succeed.”

For more information, call (561) 333-9843 or visit www.wellingtoncommunityfoundation.org.

WCF Sponsors 25 Campers At Local Boys & Girls Club

By Denise Fleischman - August 9, 2019

The Wellington Community Foundation recently sponsored a full summer camp program for 25 local children this season at the Neil S. Hirsch Family Boys & Girls Club.

This is the foundation’s fourth year providing camp sponsorships, and Wenham noted that his organization is proud to work closely with the local Boys & Girls Club, even expanding the program from 20 to 25 campers this year.

“Our board believes that this program is a great benefit for the kids,” Wenham said. “Our foundation supports seniors, veterans and kids, and this is a wonderful way to support local children, while also introducing them to the Boys & Girls Club and the many amazing programs available there.”

To learn more about the Wellington Community Foundation, visit www.wellingtoncommunityfoundation.org.

Foundation Thanks Sponsors, Donors And Volunteers

By Denise Fleischman - June 7, 2019

The Wellington Community Foundation thanked its sponsors, donors and volunteers at a “Thank You Soirée” held on Thursday, May 30 at the Trophy Room in Wellington.

The event was designed as a way for the foundation to thank all of the people who have contributed to the success of the foundation over the past several years, Wellington Community Foundation Vice Chair Maria Becker explained.

“The board has been discussing a special annual get-together to thank everyone involved for some time and thought this would be the perfect timing, just as we are winding down from the season and before Wellington residents begin their summer travel,” Becker said.

The event allowed for easy conversation and a chance for friends to catch up and form new relationships over cocktails and small bites at the local establishment.

During the event, WCF Chair Tom Wenham thanked everyone for attending and let all of the foundation’s supporters know that “this is your foundation, and this is our way of saying thank you for all of your support in helping the foundation continue to build a stronger community.”

Wenham went on to announce the two inaugural Arle and Ken Adams Scholarship winners, Francesca Herman and Sebastian Suarez, who were honored during the event. Both recipients will receive a one-time scholarship in the amount of $2,500. “The foundation knows they will go on to do great things, and we are happy to be a small part of their successful future,” Wenham said.

Wellington Community Foundation Raises The Flag At Home Of Veteran

By Town-Crier Editor - May 10, 2019

A ceremony and flag raising in Wellington on Friday, May 3 marked a brighter future for a home in the community that has now been brought up to code and freshly painted, courtesy of the Wellington Community Foundation.

The home of Ottis Moore, a U.S. Navy veteran, and his wife Velma was in need of sprucing up with fresh paint, but the work was beyond the capabilities and means of the couple. The Wellington Community Foundation stepped in to foot the bill for the project with a cost approaching $2,000 in value.

“We are here today to continue what our Wellington Village Council started, and that is building a stronger community,” said Tom Wenham, chair of the Wellington Community Foundation.

Wenham explained that the Moore’s home needed some sprucing up, and the foundation was contacted about it by Wellington’s Community Services Department. The foundation then met with the homeowners. “We assured them that the foundation will take care of the situation,” he said.

Wenham noted that the couple agreed that they would like an American flag positioned at the front of their home. A flag was obtained that had been flown above the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.

“Well, here we are today,” Wenham continued “The house has been painted, and we are almost ready to place the flag. But before we do, there are those we need to recognize and thank for their contributions and efforts to make this moment happen.”

Wenham acknowledged the Wellington Village Council, board members of the Wellington Community Foundation, staff of the Wellington’s Community Services Department, Congresswoman Lois Frankel (D-District 21) and WCF Board Member Mickey Smith for securing the flag, Mark Candreva for installing the flagpole and Cullen Painting for helping with the painting project.

The Wellington Community Foundation works to help veterans, seniors and children in the Wellington community. For more information, call (561) 333-9843.

Foundation Awards More Than $5,000 In Grants To Middle Schools

By Town-Crier Editor - February 8, 2019

On Thursday, Jan. 31, Wellington Community Foundation board members Tom Wenham, Mickey Smith, Maria Becker and James Seder visited three local middle schools to deliver checks as part of the foundation’s annual “Our Schools” grant program.

Checks totaling more than $5,000 were presented to Principal Dr. Eugina Smith Feaman of Emerald Cove Middle School, Principal Michael Aronson of Polo Park Middle School and Principal Blake Bennett of Wellington Landings Middle School.

Each of the schools invited to participate in the grant program complete and submit an application that includes the needs at their school for underserved Wellington students. The WCF board reviews all applications and looks for information that will directly impact those students who attend each school that either have been or will face a hardship during the current school year. These hardships may be as simple as needing school supplies or as extreme as attending school while being homeless.

This year, all three Wellington-area middle schools submitted grant applications and were approved to receive funds to cover expenses such as laptop computers and pay for a teacher to provide computer lab access before or after school for students who do not have computer or internet access at home so they can utilize academic programs. Approximately 100 students over the course of the school year will access the computer labs, as well as much-needed arts and craft supplies.

The Wellington Community Foundation Inc. is a nonprofit charitable organization committed to benefiting the seniors, children and veterans in Wellington by supporting and improving their quality of life.

For information about becoming involved in the foundation, or to make a donation, call (561) 333-9843 or visit www.wellingtoncommunityfoundation.org.

Foundation Steps Up To The Plate To Cover Cost Of Uniforms For Baseball Showcase

By Town-Crier Editor - January 18, 2019

On Saturday, Jan. 12, players of all ages were introduced to their “buddy” on the fields at Village Park in Wellington for what turned out to be a fantastic baseball showcase put together by the League of Yes, a nonprofit organization that provides those with special needs a chance to play baseball in a judgment-free zone. The event was staged in cooperation with the Village of Wellington.

The Wellington Community Foundation stepped up to the plate when event organizer Kris Riedell reached out to the foundation in search of uniform donations. The foundation’s board of directors voted to sponsor uniforms for all 20 players and 30 of their “buddy” partners.

The Wellington Community Foundation is a nonprofit charitable organization committed to “Building a Stronger Community” by helping Wellington’s children, seniors and veterans by supporting and improving their quality of life. For more information on how you can become involved, visit www.wellingtoncommunityfoundation.org or call (561) 333-9843.

$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.