HOPE celebrates community involvement at annual meeting

By Owen Boss

GARDNER — The House of Peace & Education held its annual meeting at the Colonial Hotel Wednesday as a way to celebrate the tremendous dedication of the nonprofit’s staff while thanking various community leaders for their support. The event opened with a changing of the guard of sorts, as retiring members of the Board of Directors were thanked for their years of hard work and new members were welcomed into the organization. Tina Sbrega, a member of the board, said that it was through the hard work of board members that many of the outreach services HOPE offers to the community were made possible. “Luckily for us there is a tremendous demand for positions on the board of directors,” said Ms. Sbrega. “Unlike many other organizations, we actually have a very long waiting list of people who want to serve here, and that is amazing.” To illustrate the wide-ranging effect of the work done through the organization, two regular participants of HOPE activities shared their stories. Fifth-grader Abby Dellefemine spoke of the dedicated staff at the after-school and summer programs, and Samantha Bernier read an original poem she had written during her time as a Teen HOPE participant. Representing the Hope for Women program, Director Mary Roth called a recent graduate to the podium to share her very emotional story with those in attendance, which she said stood as a testament to the life-changing effect of HOPE. Chrissie McDonald’s life changed dramatically and unexpectedly when she suffered a work-related injury, and said that without the good work being done at HOPE she wouldn’t be where she is today. “I was lost and had no hope, and HOPE was like someone taking my hand and helping me,” said Ms. McDonald. “Along with other women in the house we cheered on each other and learned that we had skills and that we were all strong women.” She said that after she finishes her time at HOPE, she plans to enroll in college and continue learning so that she can one day help victims of domestic violence overcome adversity. Receiving special recognition at the event was longtime HOPE supporter Ellen Daly, who received the Wings of HOPE Award, which reflected her continued service to the organization and the greater Gardner community. Also honored for their support of HOPE from its inception were Lorraine Bell, Jeanette Deveau, John Fischesser, Marcia Hopper, Maryann Langlois, Beth Posco, Gladys Richardson, Jean Schneider SSJ, Joan Schneider SSJ, Eileen Sisk, Edward Stromski, Colleen Trainor, Claire Twine and Lorraine Wickman, all of whom received the Lucia Service Award. Performing at the event was HOPE for Women graduate Deborah Morris, who sang Bette Midler’s “Wind Beneath My Wings” as a personal tribute to the uplifting support she gained from her participation in the program. As the program winded down, Ms. Sbrega called retired founding director Maxyne Schneider to the podium for a surprise unveiling of a $3,900 donation in a newly-established fund called “The Founders Fund,” which will be a permanent way of paying tribute to the hard work and dedication of the programs founding members. “I think we finally put one past you,” Ms. Sbrega joked. “I want you to realize that you have helped build something that will carry on. We wish well for the future in all of your endeavors and we know that you will remain a close friend to HOPE.” oboss@thegardnernews.com

Appeared on Page 1 on 6/19/2008 (Vol. 206 No. 145)