Winning Home Steps Up to Support Woburn Schools During COVID-19

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The Winning Home Foundation remains committed to Woburn’s children at this most critical time in their educational experience.  WCEF is proud to announce receipt of a $10,000 charitable grant from Winning Home, Inc., to fund special projects and new initiatives to address the educational needs of Woburn’s high-risk students in a hybrid learning environment during COVID-19.  This year’s award brings the total investment from Winning Home, Inc., to $40,000 in just 5 years; past grants have supported 35 innovative new projects that continue to benefit every student in the Woburn Public Schools. 

This generous grant from Winning Home will be gifted to the schools to improve the learning experience of children struggling to learn remotely, and also fund innovative programs to support enhanced livestream and in-person instruction.  “This year, the district’s English language learners and those from low-income households are more at-risk than ever,” explains WCEF’s Maureen Willis.  “The realities of COVID-19 place limits on their ability to interact directly with educators, and to form supportive bonds with their peers.  This affects not only their academic progress but their emotional health and well-being.”  She continues, “This grant from Winning Home will not only support their educational experience this year, but also will impact their learning success for years to come.  We are grateful to the board of Winning Home for its continued commitment to Woburn’s most at-risk children.”

About Winning Home:  The Winning Home Foundation was formed through the sale of land assets of what was locally known as “Winning Farm for Children”.  The sale process produced cash assets for long-term investment, and preserved approximately 50 acres of the farmland as permanent open space.  Winning Home, Inc. remains true to the spirit and intent of its benefactor by working “for the benefit of children who are economically, socially, physically, emotionally or mentally handicapped or disadvantaged and their families.” Since its conversion from a landowner to a charitable trust, Winning Home has made grants over $4.8 million to area charitable organizations.  Learn more at www.winninghome.org

Photo Caption:  Due to COVID-19, the board of Winning Home did not make in-person check presentations this year.  Members of the WCEF gathered after a recent meeting to thank the Foundation.  Pictured are (l-r):  WCEF Board Member Michael Martini, WCEF Board Chair Joe Crowley, WCEF Board Member Robert E. Maguire, WCEF Executive Director Maureen Willis, WCEF Board Member Joanne Mulkerin.  Learn more about WCEF at www.woburnedfoundation.org          

Announcing Our First Annual Holiday Door Decorating Contest!

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Our schools need the support of our community more than ever!  WCEF is pleased to announce the First Annual Holiday Door Decorating Contest!  Designed to raise spirits and raise funds for the Woburn Public Schools, families are invited to “Deck Their Doors”, with bragging rights up for grabs for the most creative, most traditional, and most festive around!  Register with a $20 donation to WCEF, and 100% of your support will directly benefit Woburn Schools.

To participate, decorate your door, send in your registration, and post a picture of your door on social media with the hashtag #WuHolidayDoors, or email your picture to contactus@woburnedfoundation.org. Entries will be posted in our online gallery and addresses added to our “Door Tour” listing.  The deadline to enter is December 16, 2020; winners will be announced and the complete Door Tour list published on December 21st.  Complete information and Registration forms can be found online at  www.bit.ly/WuHolidayDoors

Woburn families, Deck Your Door to Support Woburn Schools!

Presenting our 2020 Woburn’s Awesome Teachers!

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WCEF is pleased to present the impressive list of Woburn Educators honored this year with a Woburn’s Awesome Teacher Tribute.  This year’s campaign was our most successful ever, with 224 tributes received, 163 individual educators honored, and more than $5,500 raised to support the Educator Grants Program.        

This year, honored educators received their tributes via email, and we have asked them to post selfies with their tributes on social media with the hashtag #WATT2020.  The WCEF board truly missed visiting the classrooms in person this year, to thank our educators for their great work which inspires such generous support.   

Special thanks to the Woburn community for helping us remind our awesome teachers that their efforts are noticed and appreciated, most especially this year.  Your gifts and tributes in honor of your teachers, friends, family members and colleagues directly funds Educator Grants in our schools.  This support means more today than ever!

View the Awesome Teacher Tribute Gallery as we build it!

WCEF kicks off Teacher Appreciation Week with launch of Woburn’s Awesome Teacher Tribute Campaign!

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We invite the Woburn Community to honor and thank a special educator with a Woburn’s Awesome Teacher Tribute!  This campaign supports Woburn Community Educational Foundation’s Educator Grant Program, which, to date, has awarded more than $100,000 to support new projects and initiatives in the Woburn Public Schools. This year especially, a tribute to your awesome Woburn teacher is the perfect way to send a personal message of thanks when you cannot do so in person.  Your Educators would love to hear from you, and your donation supports our schools. 

Any member of the community is encouraged to honor of any current or former educator in the Woburn Public Schools.  Personalized tribute awards will be delivered via email to each honored Educator, and will include your special tribute message.  The amount of your contribution is completely confidential.     

To participate, simply complete a 2020 WATT Donation Form and mail to WCEF as per the instructions.  Forms can be downloaded and tribute donations made directly via the WCEF website . 

The deadline to participate in this year’s Woburn’s Awesome Teacher Tribute is Friday, May 29, 2020.  Call us at 781-281-9589.  

Special Announcement: 2020 Woburn Hall of Fame Induction Event Postponed

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The Woburn Community Educational Foundation (WCEF) and the Woburn Hall of Fame Committee wishes to express its gratitude to everyone who has taken action and made sacrifices during this unprecedented crisis to keep others safe and healthy.  We also feel deep empathy and sadness for everyone around the world who has been affected, and for those who will be.

Given what we are facing today, and the uncertainty of the near-future, we have made the decision to postpone this year’s induction event.  The 2020 Woburn Hall of Fame induction event will now take place on Saturday, September 26, 2020. 

We are grateful for the understanding of the inductees, our event sponsors and the cooperation of the Hilton Boston/Woburn in support of our shared commitment to produce a high-quality, enjoyable event that truly honors the achievements and contributions of this year’s impressive slate of inductees.

We invite our community to support Woburn’s newest institution and join in this celebration of Tanner Pride.    Please visit the Woburn Hall of Fame webpage for Sponsor, Program Ad and Ticket Information.   

 

The 2019-2020 Educator Grants Program is now OPEN!

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The Woburn Community Educational Foundation is pleased to announce that this year’s Educator Grants Program is now open.  Educational Professionals from the Woburn Public Schools are invited to apply for funds to support their creative ideas for programs or projects that are not funded by the regular school budget.  Grants of up to $1,000 will be made to support new initiatives at any grade level and in any subject, to include the arts, sciences, literacy, math, social studies, physical education and 21st Century skills. 

The deadline for grant applications is Monday, January 21, 2020.  Grant awards will be announced in early March 2020. 

Educators, we have updated the Guidelines for this year’s program! Please visit the Educator Grants Page for the complete Grant Application and Guidelines.        

Call of Nominations for the 2020 Woburn Hall of Fame

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The Inaugural Woburn Hall of Fame event was a tremendous success, honoring the achievements and contributions of 18 individuals and 3 championship teams.  To build on this momentum and secure the legacy of the Woburn Hall of Fame, the committee will vote to induct another class of honorees at an event set for May 16, 2020.  Nominations are now being accepted for the 2020 Woburn Hall of Fame.

“Every member of the selection committee received at least one call or email asking why a certain person or team was not part of the Inaugural Class”, explains WCEF Executive Director Maureen Willis.  “These people could not be inducted because they were not nominated.  The Selection Committee wants to see nominations in all categories, but especially those that maybe should have been part of that first group of inductees.” 

So Woburn, who did we miss?  Nominations will be accepted until December 1, 2019 for the 2020 induction event.   

The Woburn Hall of Fame honors contributions in sports, including categories for individual athletes, teams, coaches, and community members.  It also honors distinguished alumni who have achieved remarkable success in industry or have made outstanding contributions to society.  Any member of the greater Woburn community is invited to submit a nomination for an individual or team in any category. 

Nominations forms are available online at http://bit.ly/WoburnHOF or call 781-281-9589 to request nomination forms by mail. 

Your nomination helps secure the legacy of the Woburn Hall of Fame!

Radley London is Back in Our Raffle – This Bag has Personality and Function!

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You will truly have it all with this Radley to the Core Medium Multiway Grab Bag!

Crafted from smooth leather, this purse features zip-top fastening, grab handles, multi-compartment design and a cross body strap.
Appliquéd with scottie dogs, apples and flowers, this bag will carry you through fall – and organize everything you have to carry! 

This purse is sponsored by Little Folks Day School, Woburn. 

It’s not too late to get your tickets and join us at the 6th Annual Women’s Forum & Purse Raffle!  We have 14 Purses on the Raffle Table, plus a delicious brunch buffet and featured keynote Loren Raye.  

Get your tickets today! 

A Special Preview Reveal for our Social Media Followers …Show Your Woburn Pride with this Great Bag by Michael Kors!

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Presenting the Bedford Legacy Leather Flap Shoulder Bag in Burnt Orange. 

Modern details highlight this Michael Michael Kors shoulder bag cut in a sleek silhouette for maximum portability and style.

Features 10-1/2″ goldtone and leather handles with a 23″ long adjustable removable strap.  Zip closure, Gold-tone exterior hardware, with 2 zip pockets & 1 snap pocket on the outside, 1 zip pocket & 2 slip pockets on this inside.  
This bag is perfectly sized for everyday in very stylish “Woburn Tanner” orange!

This bag is sponsored by Michael Martini. 

Show your Woburn Pride!  Get your tickets today for the WCEF Women’s Forum Event!  Your $50 ticket gets you entered in our Purse Raffle, as well as a wonderful brunch buffet and inspiring words from this year’s keynote Loren Raye! 

Visit our event page for tickets and event details.