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Local Voices

MENTOR Network of North Andover volunteers at Windrush Farm

Windrush Farm was pleased to host a group from The MENTOR Network on Saturday, April 12th for the company’s 2nd Annual National Volunteer Day.

The MENTOR Network is a national network of local health and human service providers offering an array of quality, community-based services to adults and children with intellectual and developmental disabilities, individuals with brain and spinal cord injuries and to youth facing emotional, behavioral and other medically complex challenges, as well as their families. Nearly 800 employees across The MENTOR Network volunteered in nine states on April 12th along with friends and family. Participants organized spring cleanups and painting projects at a Boys & Girls Club, community boathouse, battered women’s shelter and various parks across the country, while others boxed products at food banks and sorted donated items at The Salvation Army.

With two corporate offices in Massachusetts, Boston and North Andover, the organization was seeking a volunteer location in each area that supports the same populations they serve as a company. Windrush was chosen for its specialized services for those with developmental and intellectual disabilities, and for its proximity to the North Andover office.

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“The mission of Windrush Farm directly aligns with the values of The MENTOR Network, and I felt it was a unique organization that our employees would enjoy volunteering at,” says MENTOR Marketing and Corporate Philanthropy Coordinator, Victoria Hay.

A group of 7 volunteers spent the day cleaning the sensory trail area and parking area gardens. It was the perfect face-lift for the farm.

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“It means a lot that friends in our community took time on their day off to volunteer doing tasks here at the farm,” says Mandy Hogan, Windrush Farm executive director. “Our volunteers are critical to the success of the program, we couldn’t do it without them.”

To learn more about The MENTOR Network, please visit their website, http://www.thementornetwork.com/

About Windrush Farm:

Windrush Farm is a nonprofit horse farm specializing in teaching physically, emotionally, and learning disabled children and adults to ride and work with horses. Each year, Windrush provides an array of educational services and therapeutic activities to more than 1,770 children and adults – and their families. Founded in 1964, Windrush Farm was one of the first programs to provide equine assisted activities and therapies in the US and is celebrating 50 years of service.  For more information about Windrush Farm, please email Jennifer Belanger at jenny.belanger@windrushfarm.org or visit www.windrushfarm.org.

 

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