Shop Providence’s Pottery at Wegmans at Waugh Chapel

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Audra Harrison

September 4, 2012
(410)766-2212 x111

Wegmans at Waugh Chapel Managers Volunteer at Providence’s Pottery Studio and Offer Customers Center Products

Glen Burnie – Providence, a non-profit organization that serves adults with developmental disabilities, was visited last week by managers from Wegmans at Waugh Chapel. Eight Wegmans employees volunteered their time making pottery with clients on Thursday, August 30, 2012, as part of the company’s commitment to improving communities. Wegmans of Waugh Chapel will also offer their customers pottery when the store opens off of Route 3 in Crofton. The store is slated to open in October.

Wegmans at Waugh Chapel will be providing dedicated space for the Providence pottery in its store and information on the work done there on behalf of adults with developmental disabilities. The store has also hired two Providence clients enrolled in its Supported Employment program.

The Wegmans team worked through the day at the Pottery Studio in Arnold, taking part in every step of the pottery process. They poured clay into molds, rolled clay for molding pieces such as platters, removed fired items from the electric kilns, and helped clients clean up.

Shayla Harding, Human Resources Manager of Wegmans of Maryland, noted that working with the clients and seeing their take-charge approach to the pottery process was gratifying. “Everyone is very knowledgeable about the process,” Harding said.

Store Manager Gerry Troisi said that volunteering at the studio was part of the core mission of Wegmans. “Wegmans has five values and the one that best applies here is for us to make a difference in every community we serve. What we are doing here today meets that.”

Wegmans Troisi added, “It is so great to see the enormous pride in the products. We are just very impressed.”

Tom Wright, Providence Director of Production, was happy to welcome the Wegmans team and announce the partnership that will result in more community members seeing and purchasing the work by Providence clients. “We are thrilled that Wegmans will be selling our pottery to their customers and highlighting the important work we do and the achievements of our participants. Our products are top quality and help our participants gain greater independence by providing them a paycheck for the work they produce.  This new partnership is an important piece for Providence to meet our mission and provide the best care and support to those we serve.”

Providence Executive Director Chuck Coble stressed the importance of community partnerships like that with Wegmans. “Wegmans has a well-earned reputation for being a good corporate citizen. We are proud to receive their support and look forward to strengthening our relationship so that together we can continue to improve our communities.”

Providence, a non-profit organization based in Anne Arundel County, operates five facilities which provide care and training in programs such as Horticulture, Woodshop, and Pottery throughout the county. It meets the growing needs of nearly 500 individuals through an array of services and supports, including medical supervision and care, psychological assistance, skills training for activities of daily living, vocational training and job placement as well as retirement services.

The mission of Providence is to provide services that allow individuals with disabilities to enjoy increased self-determination in leading a more independent, valuable and functioning role in society. These support services are individually designed and professionally managed to enable these individuals to exercise higher levels of control over their lives.