Adds Special Support for WayCAM, Charitable Committee
May 8, 2009 – WAYLAND, MA – More than $7,500 has been donated so far this year by the Wayland Business Association (WBA) to community groups and funds. Despite the economy and a smaller fundraising event than in past years, the WBA has maintained its contribution level. “This is very important to us,” said co-president Dave D’Orlando, reporting the sentiment of the entire board. The WBA was formed over 30 years ago based on a mission of community support.
The largest donation was to the Wayland High School Scholarship Fund ($4,000), the WBA’s annual major beneficiary. The board has approved $500 each for Vokes Theatre, the Wayland Scouters and the Wayland Historical Society.
At this month’s board meeting, two $1,000 donations were approved for WayCAM and for the Wayland Charitable Committee. The WayCAM donation is to support the on-demand delivery of locally-produced programs to residents via the World Wide Web. The WBA gift is the principal contribution to support this new initiative by WayCAM and, along with a number of smaller contributions received from Wayland residents, will enable WayCAM to provide this service beginning in June this year vs having to wait well into 2010. The video-on-demand feature will allow residents of Wayland to download WayCAM-produced public, education and government programs on demand to their computer directly from the WayCAM website.
The gift to the Wayland Charitable Committee was in response to an appeal to support Wayland citizens having difficulties paying for utilities and other necessities. Donations to this organization have fallen off significantly due to the current economic situation, so it is more important than ever to support it now, agreed the WBA board members this week.
This year, the Wayland Business Association grew to 97 members, which helped to fund its donations. The business group also changed its annual fundraising event to hosting a night at a Vokes Theatre production and appears ready to continue that format next year.
The WBA has actively solicited written requests from community groups needing its support this year. The requests were detailed and compelling, enabling quick decisions by the board.
Membership in the Wayland Business Association, costs significantly less than many such area business groups, and it now includes a Web page for members at no extra charge. Members are able to edit the information and publish a photo and logo as well.
To join the WBA, mail the appropriate membership dues to the Wayland Business Association, PO Box 218, Wayland, MA 01778. The categories of membership are:
- Full membership is $150 which includes dinners at bi-monthly meetings
- Associate membership is $75 with no dinners included (pay only if you go)
- Gold membership is $250 for businesses with more than 25 employees or those that want special recognition for supporting the organization and its community activities
For more information email info@waylandbusinessassociation.org or call any of the officers shown on the Web site: www.waylandbusinessassociation.org.
Photo caption:
WayCAM officers (from left) Susan Koffman, Treasurer and Richard Turner, VP Operations accept a $1,000 donation from Wayland Business Association Treasurer Jerry Boos at a meeting this week to help fund a new “video-on-demand” initiative for the community. The gift will allow many locally produced programs to be available free to the public via the Internet.
