SANFORD — Once again, area residents came through for Waban Projects, pledging $80,112 in the annual telethon that took place on Saturday.

“Although our economy continues to struggle and many people face significant financial obstacles, the community once again rose to the challenge,” said Waban Executive Director Neal Meltzer. “In spite of gasoline costing over $3.60 per gallon, and the price of heating oil hovering around $4 per gallon during one of our longest and coldest winters in recent memory, individuals, businesses and organizations came together and demonstrated their unflagging support of the programs at Waban.”

Funds raised through the telethon, sponsored annually by St. Thérèse de Lisieux parish and are used for developmental therapy, specialized equipment, therapeutic recreation, and other educational and habilitation-based services for children who attend the Fraser-Ford Waban Child Development Center or who receive services from the case management program. 

Meltzer said every year, hundreds of children with autism, Down syndrome, developmental delay, and other special needs receive thousands of hours of early intervention, therapy and special programming from Waban that enable them to be mainstreamed in schools and to develop skills they will need to be successful later in life.

Over the past 42 years, more than $2 million has been raised through the telethon.

In the course of one year, the Fraser-Ford Child Development Center provides service to more than 150 children ages 3-5, the Infant Toddler Program will support more than 40 children ages birth through 2 1/2, while the Children’s Case Management Program will provide services to more than 175 children and their families.

Waban staff members Marie Kingsbury and Sandra Flynn received the Waban Making a Difference Award for their committed and passionate service. In the community category, the Waban Making a Difference Award was given to Mark and Matt Rouillard for Central Furniture’s long-time family tradition of generosity and donations made to Waban. As well, of special note was the donation made by the Normand family in memory of Marie and Andy Normand who started, and for many years maintained, the penny drive for Waban, said Meltzer.

The telethon was produced by Metrocast Cablevision. Coverage was provided by Metrocast Cablevision and Time-Warner.

— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 (local call in Sanford) or 282-1535, ext. 327 or [email protected].