At an assembly on May 24, student council president Anabelle Farnham ’18 presented a donation of $3,220 to the president of Riverside Industries, Char Gentes. Students then got to hear about an organization based near the school’s campus in Easthampton that for 50 years has been working for adults with developmental disabilities.
The donation represented 5 percent of the proceeds earned at the student café, the StuBop, in the 2017-18 school year. Each year, the student council votes to donate those proceeds to a charity. The council chose Riverside in 2016, and the Easthampton Community Center last year.
Riverside Industries provides individualized services combining life-skills development, rehabilitation, and employment options for more than 270 individuals living with developmental disabilities from 33 towns in Hampshire, Hampden, and Franklin counties.
Williston has had a working relationship with Riverside for many years. At various times, the school has employed clients for housekeeping, dining services, and grounds positions. Recently, Riverside held a Windows of Opportunity Campaign and Williston contributed $15,000 over a three-year period.
“The work Riverside Industries is doing benefits the community on multiple levels,” said Head of School Robert W. Hill III. “Williston is delighted to support this organization.”