Press Release

Honorable mentions go to four other exceptional
MetroWest philanthropists;
Crossroads welcomes two new trustees

Natick, Mass., May 18, 2009 — Crossroads Community Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the needs of the MetroWest community, today announced that the 2009 Woolsey Conover Award has been given to Edward and Lillian Fassino of Natick. The couple was chosen from nearly two dozen nominees for exemplifying the spirit of philanthropy in MetroWest. The Conover Award is accompanied by a $5,000 grant, which is being split between the two nonprofits that nominated the Fassinos, the Natick Visiting Nurses Association (VNA) and A Suitable Image of Framingham.

The Fassinos have quietly served local nonprofits for more than ten years, focusing on social services, education, and healthcare. Natick VNA, A Suitable Image, the Natick Service Council, The Center for Arts in Natick (TCAN), Boston Medical Center, and Lovelane Special Needs Horseback Riding Program are a few of the organizations that have benefited from the couple’s philanthropic efforts.

“We are so pleased to present this year’s Conover Award to the Fassinos,” said Judy Salerno, Crossroads’ executive director. “Edward and Lillian are very modest about their contributions, but they represent all that is good in MetroWest philanthropy – concern for their community, dedication, and generosity. We congratulate them on winning this award.”

At Crossroads’ annual meeting on May 11, the community foundation also awarded four honorable mention awards to individuals who have demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to philanthropy and are highly regarded in their communities. Each of these awards comes with a $1,000 grant. The winners are:

• Laura Goldin of Waltham, professor of environmental law at Brandeis University, who works tirelessly with the Waltham Alliance to Create Housing (WATCH) to provide tenant advocate services to low-income tenants.
• Barbara and Ira Smith of Acton, founders and long-time supporters of Household Goods Recycling of Massachusetts (HGRM) in Acton, which has become the largest used furniture bank in New England.
• Garry Weiner of Wayland, board member of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Mass./Metrowest and a committed volunteer, fundraiser and donor for the organization.
• Peter Hilton of Concord, president of Open Table, who has spent countless hours and financial resources helping that organization as well as numerous social action programs in the area.

New Board Members Added

Crossroads also announced the appointment of two new trustees to its board:

• Garry Holmes, president of R.W. Holmes, a Wayland-based commercial real estate brokerage firm and a resident of Southborough
• Deirdre W. Martin of Medfield, an attorney and senior vice president at the Bank of America Charitable Foundation

Long-time Crossroads trustee and Natick resident Rudman Ham has ended his term and stepped down from the board.

About Crossroads

Crossroads Community Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of family life in MetroWest Massachusetts. The Foundation serves as a resource, leader and catalyst for philanthropy by connecting donors with nonprofits, and nonprofits with each other, across the region. Established in 1996 by a group of concerned individuals who saw a need for philanthropy in their own backyard, Crossroads now has more than $8 million in assets and has helped thousands of people in towns like Maynard, Framingham, Millis and Waltham. Our service area comprises more than two dozen towns west of Route 128 and east of Route 495. Crossroads is headquartered in an historic building in South Natick.