Big Dipper History
Big Dipper 2010
Nashville Singer-Songwriters Sean and Laurie O'Shea on June 5th at 7:30 PM
The Miles-Lincoln Silent and Live Auction and Dinner Gala on March 6, 2010
Fifth Annual Carriage House Concert 2009
160th Anniversary Gala at Higgins Armory Museum

The Big Dipper All You Can Eat Ice Cream Festival History
The Big Dipper All You Can Eat Ice Cream Festival began in 1989 as a family oriented fundraiser for Children’s Friend and was originally planned and organized by some of the agency’s adoptive families. Over the past twenty years, the festival has hosted thousands of children and families. So, The Big Dipper not only creates a great opportunity for family fun, but the money it raises supports the programs and services of Children’s Friend, the oldest child and family service agency in Worcester. Chartered in 1849, we have been improving the lives of children and those who love them for 160 years.

Big Dipper All-You-Can-Eat Ice Cream Festival 2010

SAVE THE DATE for 2010!

Ayla Brown, American Idol Finalist to Perform and Senator Scott Brown and Family to Celebrity Scoop at the Dipper at 11 AM

Join us on Saturday, July 17th at Worcester’s favorite festival, the Big Dipper All-You-Can-Eat Ice Cream Festival at Elm Park from 10:30 AM to 5:30 PM. The festival fronts on Russell Street.

Proceeds from the Big Dipper benefit the programs of Children’s Friend, so not only will you be sampling some of the best ice cream in the region, you’ll be supporting a great cause. Chartered in 1849, Children’s Friend is the oldest child and family service agency in central Massachusetts. Want to volunteer? Email Deb Huegel at dhuegel@childrensfriend.org. Our volunteers have fun, eat all the ice cream they want, and get a free t-shirt.

In addition to scrumptious all-you-can-eat ice cream from national and local vendors, there will be a huge raffle with a Bose Wave Radio as the Grand Prize, a food tent with charbroiled hot dogs and hamburgers, snacks and drinks, face painting, Moonwalks, an obstacle course, all-day entertainment, balloons, clowns, team mascots, and the very cute and cuddly NEADS puppies. The Lions District 33A will be at the Dipper with their Sightmobile to provide free hearing and sight checks. Child Protection Resources, Inc. and New York Life Insurance Co. will supply free fingerprinting and photo ID’s for the kids. This is a great and affordable day for kids and adults.

Admission to the all-you-can-eat ice cream tent is $5.00 for ages 10 and up; $2.00 for ages 5 – 9; and free for under 5.

2010 Big Dipper Sponsors

For more on Elm Park, go to:  http://www.ci.worcester.ma.us/dpw/parks_rec/city_parks/elm_park/home.htm. 

See you at the 2010 Dipper!

To volunteer, sponsor, or donate a raffle item or ice cream, please contact:

Deborah Huegel
Phone: 508-753-5425
Email: dhuegel@childrensfriend.org

Nashville Singer-Songwriters Sean and Laurie O'Shea on June 5 at 7:30 PM

Nashville singer-songwriters Sean and Laurie O’Shea will present an intimate concert on Saturday, June 5th at 7:30 PM in the Children's Friend Historic Great Room at 21 Cedar St. in Worcester. Admission and parking are FREE. Donations are welcome for Children's Friend if you feel so moved. Sean and Laurie will perform a mix of favorites along with original songs in a coffeehouse style setting.

LAURIE O'SHEA is a singer, songwriter and piano teacher. She's been a cast member at Disney World Orlando, is active in the Nashville Songwriters' Association and has been featured at songwriters' showcases including the world-renowned Bluebird Cafe.

SEAN O'SHEA is an inspirational speaker, singer and songwriter. He has twice opened for author and television personality Dr. Wayne Dyer and has been interviewed on ABC's Good Morning America. His entertaining and uplifting workshops have inspired an upcoming book called "Spiritual People Skills".

Together, Sean & Laurie travel the country from their home base of Nashville to share their inspiring songs and stories.

For more information, please contact:

The Miles-Lincoln Silent and Live Auction and Dinner Gala 2010

We held our biggest fundraiser, a silent and live auction and awards dinner gala at beautiful Mechanics Hall in Worcester on Saturday, March 6, 2010 at 5:30 PM. Our honorees, Stephen A. and Kathleen M. Lynch, are long-time leaders and volunteers on behalf of Children’s Friend and are truly deserving of our highest award. We had a very successful auction and dinner gala, and thank everyone who supported us with donations, sponsorships, and attendance at the Gala. The Miles-Lincoln award is named after two of the leaders who founded Children’s Friend in 1849, Mrs. Jonas M. Miles, and Colonel John Waldo Lincoln. We are celebrating over 160 years of helping to improve the lives of children and those who love them.

View the Miles-Lincoln Page

160th Anniversary Gala at Higgins Armory Museum
Chartered in 1849, Children's Friend began as an orphans' home for neglected children, and today, our critical programs for children and families are still going strong. We are the oldest child and family service agency in Worcester! As part of our 160th anniversary, we held a Gala at the Higgins Armory Museum on Saturday, March 14th, 2009. As people roamed the museum, they were treated to delicious food, a wine raffle, a special performance by noted singer Sharon Henderson, and special awards. Our honorees were the adoptive parents on our Board, a nice connection with our beginnings as an orphans’ home. Lieutenant Governor Timothy P. Murray and Tammy Murray presented the awards to our honorees. Not only did we celebrate our 160th anniversary, we raised over $14,000 to support our programs. Thank you to everyone who participated!

Sponsors

The Fifth Annual Carriage House Concert 2009 To Benefit our Grief Center

Our fifth annual Carriage House to benefit our grief center was a huge success. Held in our lovely and historic Great Room at Children's Friend, 21 Cedar Street in Worcester, it was a special evening. Performed by local professionals who sang Broadway hits with a French twist, the concerts were enjoyed by young and old. The complimentary champagne and French delicacies during our candlelit intermission were a big hit, too! Special thanks go to our fabulous professional singers - Paulette LaBarre, Michael Gondek, Elisabeth LaBarre Gondek, Tom Lynch, Richard Monroe, and Alison Zangari. Internationally known Music Director Ian Watson accompanied on a baby grand piano. (Mr. Watson let us know that this is not his biggest gig, as he's played for her Majesty the Queen of England). All donated their time and talents for a magical evening and afternoon of song.

The concerts raised just over $9,000 to benefit our grief center, The Carriage House, a safe place for youngsters to grieve when they experience the death of someone very close – a sibling, a parent or another primary caregiver. Services to grieving families are provided at The Carriage House grief support center at no charge, the only free grief center in central Massachusetts.

Thank you to our sponsors. 2009 Carriage House Sponsors