Capital Campaign
Friends of Wilbraham Seniors, Inc.
Supporting Our New Senior Center
Find a Friend. Be a Friend. Support the Friends.
Today’s seniors are a new breed. They’re much more active than prior generations, have a greater focus on health, exercise and socialization, and are more technologically inclined (computers, emailing, internet searches and social media). It’s our hope that our Capital Campaign will continue to help raise funds necessary to provide fixtures, furniture, equipment, and new, improved and expanded products and services. This will enable us to meet the growing and challenging needs of our seniors today, and in the years to come.
The New Wilbraham Senior Center Is Open
On October 18, 2021, 92% of attendees at Wilbraham’s Special Town Meeting gave overwhelming support for a new Senior Center! This was great news because approximately 38% of Wilbraham’s adult population are seniors and this number continues to grow. On November 28, 2022, construction on our New Senior Center began behind the Wilbraham Town Hall. It was completed in record time. The Friends sponsored a gala Thank You reception for major donors in the new building on Friday, April 19. This was followed on Saturday, April 20 by the official ribbon cutting and an open house for the public afterwards and on Sunday, April 21. Wilbraham residents have responded enthusiastically to this beautiful new building with record program attendance and membership sign ups.
In this new 15,554 sq. ft. Senior Center, a spacious 2,500 sq. ft. multi-purpose room provides ample space to accommodate more people for luncheons and other large group activities. In addition, the library, café/lounge, performance area, wellness, exercise and game rooms offer meeting spaces for seminars, arts and crafts, support groups and quiet conversations with friends.
The new Senior Center focuses on the three key elements that studies show are critical for our seniors’ wellbeing: socialization, nutrition, and exercise. This will improve the quality of their lives. Many people helped make this 12 year dream a reality. When we come together as a community, we can all help ensure that this new building will provide services and programs to assist our seniors in their independence, wellbeing, and dignity today and for generations to come. As allies and friends, we can grow older and better together!
On February 10, 2023, the official groundbreaking ceremony took place and the formal ribbon cutting and grand opening was held in the spring of 2024.
What your donations will be used for
Since the construction and building budget did not cover fixtures, furnishings and equipment for inside the new Senior Center, the Friends set a goal to raise $750,000 to furnish various accessories such as tables, chairs, furniture, kitchen items and utensils, café amenities, audio-visual equipment, recreational games, bocce court, television monitors, back-up generator, IT equipment, exercise equipment and more. In addition, we want to support new and expanded programs the Senior Center provides.
How you can help
Make an impact and be a part of our success! Various gift giving opportunities from naming opportunities for different rooms throughout the building to naming opportunities for products/ items such as furniture, benches, bookshelves, patio bricks, windows, planters, landscaping and more. All donations are greatly appreciated! Our special brick patio in the rear of the building is named the Friends Legacy Club. The Friends will assist you in writing inscriptions/personal messages for plaques and personalized bricks whether it’s “In Memory” of a loved one, “In Tribute To…”, “Made Possible With Generous Donation From….” and more.
The Capital Campaign Committee members continue accept donations and pledges. There are different gift-giving levels suitable for all budgets! Please consider supporting this important campaign by contacting a member of our Capital Campaign Committee for details and pricing:
Capital Campaign Committee
Photo by Charlie Bennett
Friends Capital Campaign Sub-Committee – (Standing L to R) Charlie Bennett, Matt Villamaino, Steve Cooper. Seated (L) Peter Salerno and Chuck Pelouze.
To contact these members, feel free to send an email with any questions to our general mailbox: Friends01095@gmail.com
Ways to Support with Gift-Giving Opportunities
- Make a Bequest or Cash Gift. This can be a one-time or two or three year pledge.
- Name Recognition for Rooms on the 1st or 2nd floor of the Senior Center.
- Name Recognition for specific items like windows, benches, bookcases, furniture, defibrillators, planters, bocce court, cornhole games and more.
- Join Friends Legacy Club – All donors who contribute $250 – $999 can have their name and a personalized message inscribed on a 4” x 8” or 8” x 8” brick that will be part of the rear brick patio.
- Provide for Planned Giving in your will/estate, life insurance, trust, etc.
- Make an In-Kind Donation.
- Sponsor a Community Fundraising Event.
- Donate Real Property.
Many employers offer a Matching Gift Program to their employees and retirees. Check with your company’s Human Resources Department to see if you are eligible to participate in a Matching Gift Program.
Distributions from IRA’s may be eligible for a potential tax-saving benefit by gifting directly from a donor’s Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) to the Friends as we are a registered non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable corporation (EIN#04-2864067). Please note that all donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. The Friends cannot provide legal or tax advice and recommend seeking guidance from an attorney or financial planner if warranted.
Donors who request naming rights for rooms and other items can have a commemorative plaque affixed on the wall or item in recognition of their generous donation. All are on first-come, first-serve basis.
Memorial & Honorary Gifts are a nice way to recognize those you wish to remember in a lasting and special way.
All donations will be published in a special flyer on a timely basis, unless anonymity is requested. Donors who contribute $1,000 or more can also have their name engraved on a large plaque placed in a prominent location in the reception area.
Contact a Campaign Committee member or our general email address (Friends01095@gmail.com) for details and information.
Friends Legacy Club
Donations for personalized bricks in the Friends Legacy Club (brick patio in the rear of the Senior Center), may be ordered online (see below) or by completing the form (click here) and mailing with your check to Friends of Wilbraham, 40 Post Office Park, #747, Wilbraham, MA 01095. Everyone who purchases a brick will be contacted at a later date for their personalized brick message.
