I
nstead of eggnog and hors d'oeuvres this year, a local staffing agency has decided to donate the money they would have used on an elaborate Christmas party for a more important cause.
This year, the 160 employees of Winter, Wyman Companies, a staffing firm located at 950 Winter St., decided to forgo their annual Christmas party and give $20,000 to children in need.
"We kind of put this idea out to the population here of whether or not to forgo the party to make an impact on an organization and the answer was a resounding 'yes,"' said Bob Boudreau, CEO of the company. "When I sent out that e-mail I got so many e-mails back saying this is a great idea."
The money will fund the launch of a new program, Art, Music and Movement Experience, at The Home For Little Wanderers Parents' Center at the Saltonstall House in Brighton.
The Home For Little Wanderers was chosen from several proposals submitted by area nonprofit organizations.
"We had four or five organizations send us a proposal," Boudreau said. "When the votes came back (from our staff members) I believe about 80 percent of the folks had picked The Home For Little Wanderers."
The Saltonstall House is a facility for children ages 3 and under who have been victims of abuse or neglect. The staff at Saltonstall House provide education, therapeutic and support services for them.
"Often children who have endured trauma need a variety of ways to express their feelings ... (this donation) will not only expose children to fun and exciting opportunities, but will provide important tools for self-expression," said Scott Inman, The Home For Little Wanderers' senior corporate relations manager. "The program also allows children to have different means to share their stories, bringing them therapeutic creative arts programming that they would never have been exposed to."
Inman said the program is something his organization has been talking about starting, but could not find funding to do so.
The soon-to-be launched Art, Music and Movement Experience will include bi-weekly music classes for learning songs and dances taught by a trained musician. It will also include therapeutic art classes and art supplies, field trips and equipment for indoor use to encourage physical activity.
"Most of the kids have been abused or neglected so physical therapy is an important part of their recovery," Inman said. "Anything that plays a part in movement helps them overcome the behavioral issues caused by the abuse and neglect."
For the employees of Winter, Wyman Companies, Boudreau said giving up the party this year was a no-brainer.
"We're all still thrilled we were able to do this," Boudreau said. "I think all 160 employees are just thrilled about this and it was a pretty easy decision to help kids like this instead of going out for the holidays."
Jeff Gilbride can be reached at 781-398-8005 or at jgilbrid@cnc.com
