The REAS Foundation is pleased to announce the establishment of a Chapter in Charlton, MA.

Concerned about the burden shouldered by seniors balancing the challenges of energy, food, and medical costs against the diminished purchasing power of fixed incomes, a group of Charlton residents began exploring options for assisting seniors.

Lead by Charlton Police Chief James Pervier and Charlton Council on Aging Director Elaine Kingston, the group examined various mechanisms over the last two months for providing energy assistance to qualifying Charlton seniors.Those efforts, more and more began to parallel the approach taken in Sturbridge through the REAS Foundation, and ultimately lead to discussions favoring the establishment of a REAS Chapter in Charlton. (more…)

The still young timid voices, tender hearts, and tremendous smiles of Girl Scout Brownies, coupled with the incredible generosity of caring adults resulted in an incredibly successful food drive in support of Sturbridge seniors this past weekend.

Stationed at Shaw’s Supermarket on Saturday and Stop & Shop on Sunday, Brownies from Troop 30426 greeted shoppers with disarming smiles; hope filled eyes, and their still small voices, while gently alerting them to their food drive on behalf of Sturbridge seniors.

And what an amazing job they did. After eight hours of hard work – 4 at each store – the Brownies amassed sixteen, yup16, jammed packed shopping carts loaded with food – 8 from each location – which will be distributed to 25 seniors who have thus far requested assistance from the REAS Foundation.

It was simply amazing to lay witness to the efforts of these young girls, lead by their scout leaders Chris Ellithorpe, Trish Westberg, and Kelly Rynearson, who have clearly done an incredible job in mentoring these children. Equally so, the generosity of the multitudes who stopped by with items for the Brownie’s Senior Food Drive was simply staggering. To witness such compassion, such concern, such commitment from children and adults alike, one could only be left with an overwhelming sense of warmth and teary-eyed joy.

This past weekend was an incredible opportunity to lay witness to an inspiring group of young girls who understood the value of their efforts and the importance of their cause. It was also a wonderful chance to experience the tremendous job our parents and scout leaders are doing in mentoring the future leaders of our community.

The REAS Foundation is honored to have been in service with Brownie Troop 30426.

Thomas R. Creamer - Executive Director

(Click on the photos to enlarge them.)

It’s 9:00 a.m. on a Saturday morning. The temperature is 22 degrees Fahrenheit, with an 18 mile per hour wind, creating a wind chill of 4 degrees. Absolutely wonderful conditions to sit by the kitchen table sipping hot coffee and reading the morning news.

Yet, for a group of local boys, the freezing winds and bone chilling temperature was the setting for a can drive on behalf of Sturbridge seniors. This morning  - 11/22/08 - members of Boy Scout Troop 161, saddled up, bundled up, and stepped up to collect cans in an effort to assist qualifying Sturbridge seniors with their energy costs. The scout troop had dedicated the month of November to collect returnable cans and bottles in partnership with the REAS Foundation.

It was somewhat apropos, that on what turned out to be the coldest day by far of the early winter season (4 degrees with the wind chill), young boys were out braving the weather in support of those who have created this wonderful community. There exists no greater statement about a community’s true essence, than that found in the willingness of its youth to sacrifice for its most vulnerable citizens. Fewer are more vulnerable than our seniors.

Today was a challenging and difficult sacrifice for young boys who will soon become the young men leading our community and our nation. There is little doubt, that those today, who were fortunate enough to participate in this event, were provided a great opportunity for growth by their scout leaders. Our hats off to those adults who take the time to mentor these boys.

All of us within the community should be proud of the efforts of these boys and should feel a sense of pride in their call to duty and their compassion. Nevertheless, we bear in mind as well, that scouts or not, our community if filled with an abundance of incredibly selfless and wonderful youth.

On behalf of the REAS Foundation, I extend our gratitude to Boy Scout Troop 161 and the mentors who guide them.

Thomas R. Creamer - Executive Director

REAS Foundation

The REAS Foundation (partial Board photo to right) would like to extend its deep gratitude to all who attended/supported our successful Gala Wine/Beer Tasting event this past Thursday. Weeks of hard work and planning by Board members and community supporters, resulted in an evening to remember.

It was a great night from beginning to end, accented with beautiful REAS Foundation embossed wine glasses created and donated by Mr. Bill Muir for our guests.

The attendance was perfect, the food wonderful, the wine & beer selections outstanding, the praise from attendees phenomenal, and the ambiance created by the Publick House simply spectacular.

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On behalf of the REAS Foundation and the generous residents and businesses of Sturbridge, I would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to those Sturbridge seniors who have granted us the privilege of providing assistance to them.

We are honored that so many seniors have demonstrated such immense confidence in our organization and have entrusted us with the responsibility of protecting and respecting their personal information. It is a humbling experience to have so many individuals (donors and applicants alike) display such faith in the REAS Foundation.

Words are sufficiently inadequate to convey the level of gratitude and humility we have experienced in service to our community during the four short months that REAS has existed. The willingness of Sturbridge seniors – 30 thus far – to reach out to us with application requests is a great source of pride to each of us at the REAS Foundation. So too, is the incredible generosity demonstrated by residents and businesses whose support is undoubtedly the foundation behind the success of this endeavor. 

With every application and donation received, there comes a great sense of duty and honor within our organization. We are sincerely grateful for the opportunity to be of service.

Sincerely on behalf of the REAS Foundation

Thomas R. Creamer – Executive Director

Brownie Troop 30426 will be conducting a Food Drive on behalf of Sturbridge seniors, at Shaw’s Supermarket on Saturday November 22, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., and at Stop & Shop on Sunday November 23, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Troop Leader Chris Ellithorpe indicated the troop’s desire to conduct a community-centered project that would benefit Sturbridge seniors, while cultivating the importance of compassion and empathy for our seniors among members of the troop.

The Brownies will be stationed at the entrance of the stores and will present flyers with suggested items that can be picked up by shoppers. As shoppers exit, they can deposit any food drive items into awaiting shopping carts, which will be manned by Brownies at the exits. (more…)

The REAS Foundation and the Publick House are teaming up to host a gala Wine & Beer tasting event to express our gratitude for the tremendous community support recieved, on behalf of Sturbridge seniors. We hope you will join us in this celebratory event to mark the four-month mark of our shared efforts and the conclusion of our 10K events.

We still have much to do as requests for assistance are arriving at a fast and furious pace, but we hope you will join us in thanking you for your generosity.

What: Sample from a host of Wines and Beers from around the corner, and around the world! Taste and array of fine food selections from the Public House Chef and Brian Treitman of BT’s Smokehouse, against the backdrop of beautiful music. Be on hand, as the drawing for the REAS Gift Baskets is conducted.

Baskets include:

1)    Pamper Yourself With Lotions from Crabtree & Evelyn

2)    Golf Foursome at Cyprian Keys with a $75.00 Gift Card for Pro Shop/Restaurant/Gift Shop.

3)    Star Wars Themed Basket

4)    Shaw’s Food Basket with $65.00 Worth of Snacks and a $100.00 Shaw’s Gift Card

5)    Spa & Jewelry Basket: Massage, Pedicure, & Facial, along with a $75.00 Gift Card for Garieri’ Jewelers.

Where: PUBLICK HOUSE TAP ROOM & PINEAPPLE ROOM
 
When: THURSDAY - NOVEMBER 20, 6:30 – 10:30 PM
 
Why: Please join us as we celebrate a successful fundraising drive in our first year of serving Sturbridge seniors. 100% of all proceeds go directly towards Sturbridge senior energy assistance. All event costs are being shared by individual members of the REAS Foundation with support from the Public House, Yankee Spirits, and others.

How Much: $35.00 per person  /  $50.00 per couple

RSVP: 508-434-4614
info@reasfoundation.org