Wedgwood Celebrates Anniversary & Raises Funds

“This is a very unique place, and all of you who are doing this, you are changing the lives of people for generations to come,” said Dr. Wendi Miller. “Thank you. I’m fortunate to be able to sit here and tell you that, yes, what you do works, it matters, and it’s the greatest blessing ever.” 

Wedgwood Christian Services hosted it’s 61st Anniversary Celebration on Thursday, October 21 at the Amway Hangar at Gerald R. Ford Airport. The event celebrates this organization’s 61st anniversary, honors exemplary leaders and volunteers, expresses gratitude for donor faithfulness and generosity, shares powerful stories of transformation, and raises funds for Wedgwood’s 100% donor-funded Transforming Services.  

The Doug & Lois Nagel Leadership Award was presented to Jim & Jane Zwiers for their years of commitment to Wedgwood, servant leadership, and ability to encourage others to participate in transforming lives. 

“It is truly humbling to receive this recognition tonight. Wedgwood has become a very special place in our hearts,” said Jane Zwiers. “Wedgwood makes a difference for our community and for the lives of the children at risk. It provides a voice for those who do not have a voice. And most importantly, it provides Christ-centered care and love for those that need it most each and every day. On behalf of our entire family, I want to extend a huge thank you to Wedgwood and the staff for their great work, and for this recognition.” 

The Molly Guillaume Volunteer of the Year Award was presented to Deb VanderBand, the founder of Equine Assisted Development, for her dedication to supporting kids in Wedgwood’s Residential Program through equine therapy. 

“We can say the horses help profoundly with the healing process that Wedgwood provides for these kids. It has been a pleasure and a heart mission to be with them,” said Deb VanderBand. “It’s been an amazing journey, and one I am excited to continue for a very long time.” 

This year, Wedgwood’s Anniversary Celebration raised over $275,000 to support the 100% donor-funded programs which are crucial to the healing of children, teens, families, and adults who rely on Wedgwood’s grace-filled care. These programs include Recreation & Wellness, Employment Training, Chaplaincy, Prevention, and Manasseh Project Outreach. 

“For the last 61 years, we’ve been incredibly fortunate to have generous donors in our midst. Without hesitation that have helped Wedgwood fill the gaps in our community,” said Wedgwood’s President/CEO Dr. Dan Gowdy. “We’re at a critical time in our history. And how we respond today will directly impact those among us. I hope you’ll join us as we tackle the biggest mental health crisis of our time. I want to thank you once again for the incredibly talented team at Wedgewood that cares each day to serve others with the same way and with the same care that God has shown to us. Thank you for helping every child. Thank you for helping every teen, every family, every adult in our care, find their wings and fly.”  

The event featured a very special live interview, hosted by WOOD TV8’s Maranda, with a former Wedgwood Resident, Dr. Wendi Miller. Now an Emergency Room doctor, mother of 5 and grandmother of 3, Dr. Miller shared with guests how she spent a portion of her teenage years in Wedgwood’s Residential program, and the impact of the grace-filled care she received on not only her life, but the lives of her children and grandchildren. 

 “I very much noticed that the staff at Wedgwood were different than any place I’d been before. It wasn’t all discipline, it was a lot of caring, that you just didn’t experience in a lot of placements back then,” said Dr. Miller. “So it was very different than what I was used to. I was used to being shuffled around. This was a whole different experience; it was like having a home.” 

Dr. Miller shared her powerful story of transformation to a room of 300 guests, thanking them for their support of the organization that had such a profound impact on her life. 

“This is a very unique place, and all of you who are doing this, you are changing the lives of people for generations to come,” she said. “Thank you. I’m fortunate to be able to sit here and tell you that, yes, what you do works, it matters, and it’s the greatest blessing ever.” 

Guests could also get a glimpse into the hearts of the kids currently in Wedgwood’s care through an art exhibit titled “Where My Wings Will Take Me.” The exhibit featured art created by kids who rely on Wedgwood depicting their perceptions of hope and what they dream their futures to be.  

Event proceeds go to support the Children’s Hope Annual Fund, which makes Wedgwood’s 100% donor-funded Transforming Services possible. These donor-funded services work in tandem with Wedgwood’s core services, funded by public contract sources, to provide children, teens, families, and adults a holistic, comprehensive continuum of care which restores hope, wholeness, and healing. With this approach, Wedgwood sees a 91% success rate among kids in Residential Care, compared to the national success rate of 75%. Learn more and make an impact today at www.wedgwood.org.   

The Title Sponsor for Wedgwood’s Anniversary Celebration is Eastbrook Homes.  

ABOUT WEDGWOOD | Since 1960, Wedgwood Christian Services has been dedicated to boldly taking on the toughest problems facing children, teens, families, and adults through residential care, counseling services, and community programs. Our goal is to support and help restore the physical, social, intellectual, emotional, and spiritual well-being of those who rely on Wedgwood. 

 

Visit Wedgwood’s Resident’s Artwork Gallery and Leave an Encouraging Comment for the Artist to See!