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Giving back through acts of kindness

Power a Dream helps senior citizens achieve their dreams and the Wonderfund supports children involved with the Department of Children and Families

Giving back through acts of kindness

Power a Dream helps senior citizens achieve their dreams and the Wonderfund supports children involved with the Department of Children and Families

DREAMS ARE COMING TRUE. SHIRLEY DEVELOPED A LOVE OF THE GAME EVEN THOUGH GIRLS WERE NOT ALLOWED TO PLAY IN HER DAY. >> I WAS TOLD GIRLS DON’T DO THIS. AND GIRLS DON’T DO THAT. REMEMBER I AM 93. THAT WAS A LONG TIME AGO. >> SURELY HAS CHEERED ON THE RED SOX SINCE THE AGE OF 10, SHE RELIED ON HER COUSIN AND BROTHER TO FILL HER IN ON ALL THE ACTION FROM FENWAY. >> THEY USED TO GO AND I USED TO SAY HAVE FUN. AND THEY COME BACK AND TELL ME ALL ABOUT THE PLAYERS. >> DECADES AGO SHE MADE IT TO HER FIRST AND ONLY RED SOX GAME WITH HER LATE HUSBAND. >> I PICKED THE VERY LAST ROW AND EVERYBODY DOWN ON THE FIELD LOOK LIKE LITTLE STICKS. I WATCHED THE GAME BUT I REALLY DID NOT ENJOY IT THAT MUCH. >> SURELY SAID SHE ALWAYS HAD A GOAL OF GOING TO ANOTHER RED SOX GAME BUT LIFE GOT IN THE WAY. FINALLY A SPECIAL PROGRAM HELPED HER DREAM COME TRUE. >> OUR DREAM IS A SMALLER COMMITTEE INSIDE THIS LARGER ORGANIZATION, IT STARTED IN 2018. WHAT WE DO IS WE ASKED SEVERAL COMMITTEES IF THEY WOULD LIKE TO NOMINATE SOMEONE TO HAVE THEIR WISH OR DREAM FULFILLED. >> THIS GROUP OF SENIORS LIVES IN THE JACKSON HER HOUSE, PART OF THE HEBREW SENIOR LIFE COMMITTEE. THEY WERE ALL NOMINATED TO HAVE A DREAM FULFILLED. HELENE RECEIVED HER FIRST SPA FACIAL, A LUXURY SEASIDE SHE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO AFFORD. >> IF I WAS A MILLIONAIRE AND I HAD MONEY TO PUT INTO THESE PROGRAMS ARE PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN, I WOULD DO IT. >> JUDY AND JACK ATTENDED THEIR FIRST PATRIOTS GAME. >> WE HAD GREAT SEATS. LIKE IT ANY OTHER FOOTBALL GAME EVERYBODY STANDS IN FRONT OF YOU BUT WE STILL ENJOYED THE GAME. >> YOU CAN’T BELIEVE THE PEOPLE THERE, A THOUSAND PEOPLE THERE. HOW MANY? IT’S UNBELIEVABLE. YOU LOOK AROUND AND SAY OH MY GOSH I AM HERE A PART OF THIS. EVERY TIME THEY TOOK A BREAK I WOULD WAIVE. >> THE DREAMS THEY ARE MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH PRIVATE DONATIONS. >> WE HAD SOMEONE THAT RODE A MOTORCYCLE OVER 90 YEARS OLD, WE HAVE HAD SEVERAL PEOPLE GO TO PATRIOTS GAMES AND SEVERAL SPORTING EVENTS, GO TO THE OPERA SENT SOMEONE TO THE SYMPHONY. >> AS FOR SURELY SHE IS GRATEFUL FOR THE GENEROSITY THAT ALLOWED HER DREAM TO BECOME A CHERISHED MEMORY. >> IT WAS A DAY I WILL NEVER FORGET. >> A SIMPLE ACT OF GENEROSITY CAN MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE IN THE LIFE OF A CHILD. IN 2017 MASSACHUSETTS FIRST LADY LAUREN BAKER ESTABLISHED THE WONDER FUND. TO HELP THE STATE’S MOST VULNERABLE CHILDREN. >> THE WONDER FUND IT SERVES EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THE 50,000 KIDS ENGAGED WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES. OF THOSE KIDS EVERY YEAR ABOUT 6500 CHILDREN NEED TO BE REMOVED FROM AN UNSAFE HOME AND THEY CAN’T BE WITH THEIR FAMILIES. >> WONDER FUND GRANTS TO HELP FUND LITTLE EXTRAS THAT GO BEYOND BASIC NEEDS FOR CHILDREN INVOLVED WITH DCS INCLUDING THINGS LIKE SPORTS EQUIPMENT, DANCE LESSONS OR SUMMER CAMP. >> IN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS WHEN A CHILD HAS TO BE REMOVED FROM AN UNSAFE LIVING SITUATION, THE WONDER FUND IS THERE TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT CHILD HAS A NEW DUFFEL BAG THAT’S FULL OF NEW CLOTHING, PAJAMAS, SOCKS, UNDERWEAR AND OTHER NECESSITIES SO THAT THE CHILD FEELS A LITTLE BIT EXTRA CARE AND RESPECT IN WHAT MUST BE THE MOST DRAMATIC AND HORRIBLE MOMENT. >> THE WONDER FUND OPERATES ALL YEAR ROUND, DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON THERE IS A SPECIAL GIFT DRIVE. >> THIS IS A MEGA PROJECT WE START EARLY IN THE FALL, AND WE PROVIDE DONATED HOLIDAY GIFTS TO OVER 55,000 KIDS ACROSS MASSACHUSETTS. >> THE WONDER FUND PARTNERS WITH THE LENOX HOTEL IN BOSTON WHERE DONATIONS CAN BE DROPPED OFF. >> THEY FILL A HOTEL ROOM FROM FLOOR TO CEILING WITH TOYS AND GIFTS THAT COME FROM GUESTS AND VENDORS AND PASSERSBY. IT IS REALLY IMPORTANT TO ME AND I THINK TO ALL OF US AT THE WONDER FUND THAT THESE KIDS KNOW THAT THEY ARE LOVED AND KNOW THAT THERE IS SOMEBODY LOOKING OUT FOR THEM AND MAKING THEM FEEL SPECIAL AT THE HOLIDAYS. >> THE FOLKS AT THE WONDER FUND HAVE WRAPPED UP IN PERSON DONATIONS AT THE LENOX BUT SAY THEY ARE STILL ACCEPTING ONLINE. WE HAVE A LINK TO INFORMATION ON OUR WEBSITE. BACK TO POWER DREAM, IT IS AVAILABLE TO RESIDENTS OF HEAT -- SENIOR HEBREW ROUTE LIFE COMMUNITIES TH
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Giving back through acts of kindness

Power a Dream helps senior citizens achieve their dreams and the Wonderfund supports children involved with the Department of Children and Families

Power A Dream is a program that helps makes dreams come true for residents of Hebrew SeniorLife communities. Among the wishes granted: a couple's first trip to a New England Patriots game, and one resident's first-ever spa facial.The Wonderfund helps meet the needs of children whose families are engaged with the Massachusetts of Department of Children and Families. The Wonderfund, led by Massachusetts First Lady Lauren Baker, provides for such extras as dance lessons, sports fees, and makes sure every child has basic necessities.

Power A Dream is a program that helps makes dreams come true for residents of Hebrew SeniorLife communities. Among the wishes granted: a couple's first trip to a New England Patriots game, and one resident's first-ever spa facial.

The Wonderfund helps meet the needs of children whose families are engaged with the Massachusetts of Department of Children and Families. The Wonderfund, led by Massachusetts First Lady Lauren Baker, provides for such extras as dance lessons, sports fees, and makes sure every child has basic necessities.

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