The Wellington Village Council approved a proclamation last week recognizing Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2020 as Wellington Community Foundation Day in Wellington to coincide with the foundation’s popular Red, White & Blue Jeans “A Salute To Our Heroes” fundraiser event, which this year will be held online.
Former Wellington Mayor Tom Wenham, currently chair of the Wellington Community Foundation, thanked the council for their support.
For the past four years, the patriotic evening has allowed veterans and other local heroes, their families and members of the Wellington community to come together for a night of camaraderie, patriotism, gratitude and fun — all while raising money for a great cause.
Wenham said that while the event will not be held in person this year, it will be held virtually, starting on Tuesday, Nov. 10. He explained that this year, the event, using the hashtag #wellathon2020, is dedicated to the foundation’s superheroes. “The superheroes are the donors,” Wenham said.
Mayor Anne Gerwig praised the foundation and the upcoming virtual event.
“This event allows the organization to do so much for the community of Wellington,” she said.
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.
Throughout Wellington, this local nonprofit has continued to support and improve the quality of life for some of the community’s most vulnerable residents by providing food, home repairs that enable seniors to age in place, school uniforms, backpacks, summer camp programs, equestrian riding programs for disabled students, school grants, college scholarships, as well as beautifully wrapped gifts that include the essentials, such as socks, underwear, sneakers and an age-appropriate gift for young children to open on Christmas, many of whom would go without if not for the generous donations, sponsorships and volunteers.
This year has been a challenge for everyone due to the pandemic, which forced the foundation to cancel its one annual in-person fundraiser. Expectations for the event were to surpass last year’s $100,000 accomplishment. But the needs of the community have not been canceled. So together, foundation supporters must go above and beyond to continue helping Wellington residents in need.
This year, the Red, White & Blue Jeans “A Salute To Our Heroes” fundraiser has been converted into a virtual experience. Meet up with foundation supporters on Facebook to show your support and help spread the word beginning on Tuesday, Nov. 10 at 7 p.m. Grab a flag and wave it proudly, snap a selfie and post with the hashtag #wellathon2020 in support of the foundation’s fundraising efforts.
Traditionally, this event brings the community together under one roof to share in the honoring of our heroes. This year, the foundation is dedicating the event to its “superheroes,” the donors. “Without their generous support, the efforts of the foundation would not be possible,” Wenham said.
The WCF board is urging the community to rally behind those in need, now more than ever. Join them in supporting the Wellington Community Foundation and help them keep their commitments to the community.
“Over the last five years, the foundation has been able to help hundreds of those in need through the generous support of our donors, just like you,” said WCF Board Member Jim Sackett, who will serve as master of ceremonies for the event. “Together, we have made an impressive impact in the lives of hundreds of our neighbors, adding enormous value to our community and its most vulnerable.”
Supporters can donate online during the Wellathon 2020 fundraiser beginning Tuesday, Nov. 10, visit www.wellingtoncommunityfoundation.org, or drop a check in the mail to: Wellington Community Foundation, 12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 19F, Wellington, FL 33414.
Either way you choose to give will help the foundation.
Meanwhile, the Wellington Community Foundation looks forward to once again hosting everyone all under one roof at next year’s Red, White & Blue Jeans “A Salute To Our Heroes” event in 2021.
