Solar shed is Walker’s latest bright idea

The most recent addition to the Walker Needham campus is a brand new utility shed, with lights and electricity powered by two 85 watt solar panels. It was designed and built by Paul S. Brown and is the first completed project of One Penny Per Mile, his non-profit organization based in Needham and committed to providing sustainable energy solutions to schools. 

The shed features storage space for outdoor toys and sports equipment, an electrical outlet suitable for low-power devices like radios, and a dusk-to-dawn motion sensor for an outdoor light. A light inside the shed also allows children at Walker to see the inner workings of the solar power equipment. 

During installation in late September, Brown was at the Walker Needham campus to provide an astronomy lesson for the students at the Walker School while demonstrating a design feature of the shed. He adjusted the solar panels to their “fall” position, to account for the autumnal equinox, and he plans to visit again in the spring to readjust the panels to take full advantage of the increased sunlight. 

Brown became connected with Walker several years ago, reading books to children in the Walker CBAT (a crisis and stabilization program) and volunteering with other members of his Needham church. So when he began looking for a place to showcase his first project, “Walker was my first choice.” 

Along with the many hours of labor donated by Brown, funding for the shed was also provided by the participants of One Penny Per Mile. Car owners can pledge one cent for each mile they drive to offset emissions and other environmental consequences of driving. Donations are designated for future sustainable energy projects for area schools. 

You can find out more about how you can support One Penny Per Mile by visiting their website.

Walker holiday cards can help brighten the season

Share the holiday spirit with greeting cards that feature drawings by children at the Walker School. Choose from four different designs:

Holiday Pop , by Robert, age 13
“Have a Sweet Holiday”
(Inside message: blank)

  

Penguins , by John, age 8 and Langdon, age 10
Holidays are the best because you’re with your family!
(Inside message: blank)

Home For the Holidays , by Matt, age 13, and Collin, age 12
(Inside message: “Warm Winter Greetings”)

   

Snow Plow , by Skyler, age 11
“Let It Snow!”
(Inside message: “Happy Holidays”)

 One package of 20 cards with envelopes: $10.00

Your purchase helps to support the children and families served each year by Walker academic and therapeutic programs.  All cards feature a brief description of Walker on the back. 

If you would like to purchase Walker holiday cards, please contact Amy Perna, Walker annual fund manager, by email or at 781-292-2110.

Boston Globe Scholastic photography exhibition features work by Beacon High School students

Seven students at Beacon High School have contributed photographs to the Boston Globe Scholastic Massachusetts High School Photography Exhibition, which opened last month in Boston.

Among the Beacon High School submissions is the photograph below, created on 35mm color film with a pinhole camera that the student constructed himself.

Last semester, the students created a range of work in traditional and experimental photography classes taught by Beacon photography teacher Véronique d’Entremont. “This exhibition is a great opportunity to have a number of our students’ work recognized” she says.

The students will attend an artists’ reception on November 22. The photographs can be seen on the second floor of the State Transportation Building at 10 Park Plaza in Boston. The exhibition opened October 15 and runs until November 27.

Birthday boys celebrate by donating gifts to children at Walker

Ethan and Alex Shifman look forward to their birthdays every year as much as any other kid, but for the past several years, the brothers have celebrated in a special way.

Last month Ethan and Alex visited the Walker Needham campus with their father Ken, and dropped off a carload of presents—toys and gift certificates collected at each of their birthday parties earlier this year and donated to children in residential programs at Walker.

The boys began donating their birthday gifts to Walker in 2007, and for the past three years they have asked friends and family who attend their birthday parties to bring a gift for a child at Walker. Sometimes they even include a Walker wish list of toys and other items on the party invitation, and several of their guests have been similarly inspired to designate Walker as the beneficiary of gifts from their own birthday celebrations.

The two brothers, 8 and 6 years old, learned about Walker from their mother Jill. “I wanted to help them understand and appreciate how fortunate we are, and how important it is to help others,” she said. “The Walker School helps kids who are about the same age as Ethan and Alex, and it is nearby, so on our visits they could see that they were helping kids who, despite their challenges, were a lot like them.”

The two boys look forward to the gift drop-off each year, as six-year-old Alex explains: “We like it, because other people don’t have toys, so if we give it to them, they can play too.”

While visiting Walker, they were treated to birthday cupcakes and were presented with certificates of appreciation. They have also received a heartfelt thank you from Walker executive director Richard W. Small. “Through their generosity, Ethan and Alex are helping to teach a new generation about the importance of philanthropy.”

If you would like to find out how you can turn your special celebration into an opportunity to contribute to the well-being of children in residential care at Walker, please contact Amy Perna, Walker annual fund manager, for more information.

2009 Fore the Children Golf Tournament raises $140,000 for Walker

More than 100 golfers spent a perfect fall afternoon at Weston Golf Club on Monday, October 5th at the annual Walker Fore the Children Golf Tournament. In the year marking the 20th anniversary of the event, the tournament raised $140,000 in support of children and families who depend on Walker programs and services.

This year the first place award for low net score went to the team led by a special guest—former longtime Red Sox rightfielder Dwight Evans. He was joined by tournament teammates Richard Beradino, George Psyhogeos, and Dr. Tom Burke. Terry O’Connor led the first place winners for low gross, along with his fellow team members Douglas Moran, Shawn Mato, and Jeff Campbell.

An active tournament committee, led by John Boyle and Paul Shorthose, ensured an enjoyable day on the course and a post-round program packed with unique auction items. Charity auctioneer, Harry Rose led the bidding on a wide range of auction prizes, including a once-in-a-lifetime helicopter ride over Boston. 

“We are fortunate to have so many generous and dedicated friends,” said Walker executive director Richard W. Small.  ”And we are grateful for the support of so many corporations that share a steadfast committment to improving our communities through philanthropy.”

This year’s tournament sponsors included Intex Solutions, Inc., Proactive Community, United Benefit Services, Middlesex Savings Bank, ATG, Bank of America, The Thordike Family, John and Mary Boyle, and Pete and De Simone.

If you are interested in serving on next year’s golf committee or would like to learn more about the tournament, please contact Nicole Hand, Walker manager of events and corporate giving, for more information.