Making moments of childhood magic and sweet memories for children served by the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families is a core mission for the newly relaunched Wonderfund–and Edaville Family Theme Park has stepped up with an extraordinary donation: Free visits for 2,300 DCF-engaged children and their parents, foster parents, guardians, and siblings.
With the generosity of Edaville owner Jon Delli Priscoli and the Edaville staff, hundreds of children served by DCF through the Commonwealth got a chance this week to see Edaville’s Christmas Festival of Lights Display, take a ride on the Edaville Railroad and its Mini Carousel, enjoy Thomas the Tank Engine at Thomas Land, and enjoy a special dinner.
Rockland Trust, a leading supporter of the Wonderfund, also sponsored a free photo session for Wonderfund kids and their families with Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus at Edaville’s Dickens Village.
Massachusetts First Lady Lauren Baker, who serves as vice chair of the Wonderfund, said: “One of our core missions at the Wonderfund is to ensure that children in the care of DCF get the opportunity to enjoy the moments that matter in childhood and make the happy lifelong memories that all kids deserve. Jon and everyone at Edaville have been so generous to welcome 2,300 Wonderfund-supported kids and their family members to this amazing place to experience the spectacular holiday lights, Thomas Land, and everything Edaville offers. We saw so many smiles and heard so many laughs, and we heard from countless kids and parents how happy and grateful they were for a night they will never forget.”
Mr. Delli Priscoli said: “There’s nothing we love more at Edaville more than making beautiful holiday memories for children and their families, and especially for the kids the Wonderfund serves and hundreds of Massachusetts biggest-hearted, most devoted parents: Our state’s foster parents. Everyone at Edaville has been honored for the chance to give back and support the Wonderfund’s mission of ensuring all kids get to enjoy moments of childhood magic.”
Jennifer Marino, Rockland Trust’s Chief Marketing and Customer Officer, said: “Edaville has been such an important part of this community for generations of families who have enjoyed Thomas Land, Dino Land, and all their other fun attractions. Year after year, they continue to provide a magical experience for children and families across Massachusetts and beyond. We’re inspired by the Wonderfund’s mission to provide kids served by the DCF with the opportunity to dream, imagine, and just be kids. Partnering with local institutions like Edaville and supporting nonprofits such as the Wonderfund are at the heart of how Rockland Trust believes in truly being a part of our communities. “
At a special presentation event on Tuesday, November 21, Edaville had Mr. and Mrs. Claus arrive on a train pulled by Thomas the Tank Engine with a giant railroad ticket marked “Good for 2,300 rides,” prepared by Rockland Trust’s graphic design team, that Mr. Delli Priscoli then presented to Mrs. Baker, Wonderfund CEO Erin Murphy Rafferty, and Wonderfund Executive Director Jennifer Kitchenham.
Edaville Family Theme Park is home to three adventures in one park: Cran Central, Thomas Land (which opened in 2015), Dino Land (seasonal) and Christmas Festival of Lights (seasonal). A Top 3 Winner for Best New Amusement Park Attraction as chosen by readers of USA TODAY and 10Best, Edaville’s Thomas Land brings the famous Island of Sodor to life while being decked out in gorgeous white lights. This Thomas Land is the only one in the United States, and has 11 themed rides that feature favorite characters like Cranky the Crane, Harold the Helicopter, Winston and so much more! This part of the park also hosts an amazing live show in front of the famous Tidmouths Shed with Sir Topham Hatt himself. Kids can interact and engage with Topham Hatt, Percy, Gordon, and James during this fun holiday show. For more information and to purchase advance tickets, go to www.Edaville.com.
Independent Bank Corp. (NASDAQ Global Select Market: INDB) has approximately $7.7 billion in assets and is the holding company for Rockland Trust Company, a full-service commercial bank headquartered in Massachusetts. Named in 2016 to The Boston Globe’s “Top Places to Work” list for the eighth consecutive year, Rockland Trust offers a wide range of banking, investment, and insurance services. Rockland Trust serves businesses and individuals through approximately 100 retail branches, commercial lending offices, investment management offices, and residential lending centers located in Eastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island, as well as through telephone and mobile banking, and the Internet. Rockland Trust is also an FDIC member and an Equal Housing Lender. To find out why Rockland Trust is the bank “Where Each Relationship Matters®”, please visit www.rocklandtrust.com.
The Wonderfund, a private, nonprofit, 501(c)(3) federally tax-exempt charity, was formerly known as the DCF Kids Fund and relaunched in June 2017 with support from Massachusetts First Lady Lauren Baker, who serves as the Wonderfund’s vice chair. The Wonderfund has a vision to provide resources and opportunities, above what state funding can do, for the more than 50,000 children engaged with DCF on any given day:
