NEIGHBORS.

• Position: LOCAL NEWS

COLUMN: NEIGHBORS

YMCA groundbreaking kicks off construction

WESTBORO - The Boroughs Family Branch of the YMCA of Central Massachusetts held a groundbreaking this week to launch the construction of the branch's new wellness center.

The wellness center is part of a capital improvement project that will allow the Y to better serve its 14,000 members.

"This new construction project and the expanded Wellness Center's impact will go far beyond the physical changes of the building," said Kathryn Zingg Hunter, president and CEO of the YMCA of Central Massachusetts.

"It is what will be possible within the walls of the building that's important. Through the generosity of the community we will be able to more effectively serve more people than ever before, and that's the true value of this project."

To date, the branch has received close to $800,000 from the community to help with the cost of the expansion. The YMCA's benefactors include Avidia Bank, Ball Financial, Price Chopper/Golub Foundation, Melvin S. Cutler Foundation, DCU For Kids, Curry Printing, Fallon Community Health Plan and Marlborough Savings Bank, and others.

Center for Children has new board members

SOUTHBORO - The New England Center for Children announced this week that Robert K. Sheridan and his wife, Jean O'Hara Sheridan, have been elected to the NECC board of directors.

Mr. Sheridan has been president and chief executive officer of the Savings Bank Life Insurance Company of Massachusetts since 1992. Mrs. Sheridan taught in the Brockton public schools for 27 years, retiring in 2007. The couple lives in Hingham.

"We are thrilled to have the support of Bob and Jean Sheridan. We deeply appreciate their volunteer service on behalf of children with autism," said Vincent Strully Jr., NECC's chief executive officer and founder.

The New England Center for Children provides state-of-the-art education and individualized treatment, with care and respect, for children with autism, pervasive development disorder and Asperger's syndrome.

Since 1975, NECC has maintained a steadfast dedication to helping individuals reach their potential and live productively; to minimizing dependence and maximizing independence; to eliminating isolation and to increasing social, educational and employment opportunities through integration into all aspects of community life.

Library grant to fund computer, camcorder

WHITINSVILLE - UniBank has...