Posted in Charity & Fundraising News People

Neighbor Brigade invades MetroWest

Wayland Town Crier 1/24/11: Neighbor Brigade invades MetroWest. It's the little things that can make a difference. A ride to the pharmacy. A prepared meal waiting for you after a long day at the hospital. A community effort that began quietly in Wayland in 2002 has begun to take root in other MetroWest communities with a simple mission: to help neighbors in need. When Wayland friends Pam Washek and the late Jean Seiden were diagnosed with cancer within weeks of each other in 2002, they did what any friend would do – offer a helping hand. A small network of friends and neighbors that delivered meals blossomed eventually into the Wayland Angels, a group providing basic services to families in need. Between then and 2010, eight other Angels chapters sprung up across the state.

Continue Reading...
Posted in News Volunteering

Neighbor brigade

Boston Globe 6/13/10: Neighbor brigade. In 2002, Pam Washek and Jean Seiden of Wayland were both diagnosed with cancer in 2002. Washek was lucky to only have the support of Seiden, but also the assistance of other friends, family, and community members who drove her daughters — ages 4, 10, and 12 — to school, soccer, and Girl Scouts, and delivered meals according to a schedule organized by Seiden. After her treatment ended in 2003, Washek decided to help others who didn’t have such luxuries. With the support of Seiden, whose cancer would return and take her life in 2006, Washek established the Wayland Angels Food Network to provide an easily duplicated meal chain model benefiting families in temporary crisis due to illness or injury. The organization, which was recently renamed Neighbor Brigade after attaining nonprofit status, continues to recruit chapter leaders throughout Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

Continue Reading...