40th Anniversary Fidelity House 

Annual Meeting and Breakfast

Featured Special Guest:

 Travis Roy 

Travis Roy first put on ice skates when he was just 20 months old. As years passed, his love for the game of hockey quickly became a passion. In the fall of 1995 Roy accomplished one of his dream goals by earning a hockey scholarship to Boston University. At twenty-years of age he entered into his first collegiate hockey game. Eleven seconds into his first shift, his life changed forever as he crashed into the boards and cracked his fourth and fifth cervical vertebra, paralyzing him from the neck down.

Despite this ill twist of fate, Roy has continued to persevere and defy the odds. With an intense rehabilitation regime, he has regained some movement in his right arm. While coming to grips with his life as a quadriplegic, he returned to Boston University less than a year after his accident. Four years later, he graduated with a degree in public relations from Boston University’s prestigious College of Communication. In the storied history of BU Terriers hockey, Roy’s #24 is the only jersey to have been retired. 

Travis Roy Foundation

Here are a few takeaways from Travis’ presentation:

• Being your best at your profession, should always be one of your primary motivating factors.
• Professional challenges, chosen or not, should be viewed as new opportunities.
• Your ability to find solutions in times of adversity, are defining moments.
• Staying motivated in your job, requires setting goals and implementing incentives.
• Attitude is about perspective… how you look at things, more importantly, how you choose to look at things.

Sponsored By

More than 350 members of the Fidelity House (FHHS) community: individuals, families, volunteers and staff, gathered together on a beautiful summer day to celebrate 40 exceptional years of service and growth in the Merrimack Valley.

Our 40^th anniversary picnic and barbecue was generously sponsored by our corporate partner Sapphire Technologies/Randstad.  About 20 volunteers in blue Randstad shirts organized activities designed to accommodate those with and without disabilities including whiffle ball, limbo, mini-golf, face painting, Frisbee decorating, bean bag toss, volleyball and more.  A DJ contributed to the fun with festive dance music and he really got folks up off their feet! While those wanting to cool off could enjoy swimming or simply floating in the lovely pool.  All attendees received goodie bags from Sapphire as well as free raffle tickets for a chance at some terrific prizes. 

 The Rolling Ridge Center in North Andover provided a wonderful venue and a delicious spread for all to enjoy.  Everyone munched on hot dogs, hamburgers, watermelon, salads and more and those with a sweet tooth were delighted by the large shared dessert table filled to overflowing with individual and family contributions as well as the fabulous 40^th anniversary cake! 

From beginning to end, everything ran smoothly. Everyone enjoyed being outside on a beautiful sun-shining day. There was shade, sun and picnic tables where groups gathered, relaxed and reminisced about past anniversary events and milestones at Fidelity House.  One mother expressed it this way “I am so happy to be here for this wonderful day. Over the years Fidelity House has done so much to support me, my son and our whole family.  But having a day like this, where we can be together having fun as a regular family, a day where my son is accepted for who he is makes all the difference.  This is a wonderful day!” The day was still filled with smiles and laughter as the buses, vans and cars pulled in, ready to take people home.

 Since 1971 Fidelity House Human Services headquartered in Lawrence, MA has offered individuals with developmental disabilities opportunities and supports to live rich and full lives within their own communities.  Established as a non profit agency 40 years ago in response to advocacy efforts by local families, we bought and renovated our first home on Haverhill St in 1972.  Since that day our goals have been the same: to offer supports and services in the three complementary areas necessary to empower individuals with disabilities to live a better life –family, home and community.

Today, Fidelity House serves more than 600 adults and children with developmental disabilities and their families throughout the Merrimack Valley. We manage 18 staffed homes with a 19th is now being built in Haverhill. Our homes are located in Lawrence, Methuen, Andover, and Georgetown as well as in Haverhill.

Prizes Generously donated

Vacations

Luxury waterfront Week (7 nights!) on Martha’s Vineyard at the Harborside Inn

Two weekends at the  Marriott, Andover

Atkinson Country Club Deluxe Overnight for 2 – Includes Dinner/Breakfast and a FOURSOME too!

GOLF

Haverhill Country Club – Golf 4-some

Indian Ridge Country Club - Golf 4-some

Renaissance Golf Club-Golf 4-some

Sports Tickets & More..

2 Bruins Tickets

Signed Bruins item-To be announced

2 Red Sox Tickets – September 17 v. Tampa Bay

2 Red Sox Tickets – September 21 v. Orioles

2 Red Sox Tickets- September

2 more Red Sox Tickets-September

Red Sox Daniel Bard Autographed Baseball!!!

2 Celtics Club Seats-TBA

2 Celtics Tickets -TBA

4-pack of Tickets to NH Fisher Cats

Other Fun Prizes

Samuel Adam’s - Bucket of Cheer

Scratch Ticket Wreath

Academy Lanes – 30 Strings of Bowling

Andover Liquors – Wine Gift Basket

TJ Maxx Gift Card

Bertucci’s Gift Card

Spa Gift Card

Fidelity House Hosts Annual Holiday Party for Children and Families

More than 150 Fidelity House Children and Families gathered with volunteers, partners, friends and staff to celebrate the holidays. The festive day began with a movie outing to see Yogi Bear and then families gathered at the Lawrence Elks for visits and gifts with Santa, music and dancing, refreshments and crafts. A wonderful day was had by all!

Fidelity House is grateful for extra support from Toys for Tots and Sapphire Technologies!

Fidelity House, Inc Receives 2010 Best of Lawrence Award

NEW YORK, NY, December 2010 — Fidelity House, Inc has been selected for the 2010 Best of Lawrence Award in the Developmental Disability Services category by the U.S. Commerce Association (USCA).
The USCA “Best of Local Business” Award Program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country. Each year, the USCA identifies companies that they believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of business through service to their customers and community.
Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2010 USCA Award Program focuses on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the USCA and data provided by third parties.
U.S. Commerce Association (USCA) is a New York City based organization funded by local businesses operating in towns, large and small, across America. The purpose of USCA is to promote local business through public relations, marketing and advertising.
The USCA was established to recognize the best of local businesses in their community. Our organization works exclusively with local business owners, trade groups, professional associations, chambers of commerce and other business advertising and marketing groups. Our mission is to be an advocate for small and medium size businesses and business entrepreneurs across America.

URL: http://www.uscaaward.com

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Sapphire Technologies, making the Holiday Bright!   

Sapphire Technologies Decorates Fidelity House Homes

Our newest corporate partner, Sapphire Technologies, sent close to 50 volunteers loaded with beautiful pre-lit trees, ornaments, lights, hot chocolate and holiday cheer out to Fidelity House homes in Lawrence, Methuen,  Haverhill and Georgetown this month.  The Sapphire volunteers included Vice Presidents, Account Managers and Coordinators, all working together to make the season bright for our residents.  Fidelity House staff provided home baked goods, and music and everyone, especially our residents, enjoyed giving their homes a new  holiday look.

Sapphire also Donates Toys for Fidelity House Children in Need.

Sapphire employees placed the names of 20 of our neediest children on their giving tree this season, insuring a Happy Holiday for these families.  Raising a child with developmental disabilities requires many expensive medications, therapies and treatments, but thanks to Sapphire, these children will also enjoy new toys  this season! 

THANK YOU SAPPHIRE!