Wellington Cares officially changed its name to Our Community Cares. Since 2010, Wellington Cares has been coordinating volunteers of all ages to assist in enabling people age 65 and over to remain in their homes with the help of volunteers. In 2020, service was expanded to the Royal Palm Beach senior community. As the organization continues to look for expansion opportunities, the new name and image further supports the group’s mission of providing free services to the senior community.
“The rebranding of Wellington Cares to Our Community Cares represents an exciting time of growth for our organization,” said Bill Maher, board member and marketing chair. “Our mission is already proving successful in helping seniors age in the comfort and familiarity of their own homes.”
Our Community Cares’ free services include: transportation (door-through-door) to medical appointments, food shopping and places of worship. Other services include pick-up and delivery of prescriptions; socialization through home visits and phone calls; advocacy in scheduling appointments and written communication; and coordinating services available to participants within the community.
The official announcement of the new name and desire for expansion came at a packed reception at Village Music in Wellington. Guests included community leaders, volunteers from the organization, and supporters.
The evening began with a welcome from board chair Cheryl Anders, who gave a brief history of the organization and announced that since its inception, the organization has provided more than $1 million of free support. Director of Operations Diane Gutman followed with information, including a record 660 participant engagements and a new high of 840 volunteer hours in the first quarter of 2024. She also shared that more than 16,000 volunteer miles are driven annually in support of program participants. The launch event and support to aid recent growth trends has largely been made possible through a capacity-building grant from the Palm Health Foundation.
Although participants must be residents of Wellington or Royal Palm Beach to receive services, volunteers may be from anywhere after passing a level two background check. For more information on services, volunteering or being a participant, contact Our Community Cares at (561) 568-8818.
Our Community Cares is a community-based, not-for-profit organization committed to coordinating volunteers of all ages to assist in enabling those age 65 and over to remain in their home with the support of volunteers and local organizations. Visit www.ourcommunitycaresfl.org for more information.
