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Longtime community leaders and Wellesley Council on Aging activists John and Dwin Schuler and Mary Bowers are being recognized as outstanding individuals for their significant contributions to the Town and to the Council on Aging over many years. Two prominent rooms at the new Tolles Parsons Center (TPC) will be named in their honor: The John and Dwin Schuler Multi-Purpose Room and the Mary Bowers Café. The Wellesley Board of Selectmen unanimously approved this request by the New Era Fund, a program of the Friends of Wellesley Council on Aging.
“When it opens in the fall of 2017, the new Tolles Parsons Center will be an amazing town-wide benefit and resource that serves seniors and multiple generations. How appropriate that two rooms will honor John and Dwin Schuler and Mary Bowers” said David Himmelberger, Chair, New Era Fund.
Mary Bowers, who will be honored with the Tolles Parsons Center's Mary Bowers Café.
The John and Dwin Schuler Multi-Purpose Room and the Mary Bowers Café will serve as the foundation for fundraising for the Inaugural phase of the 1.5 million New Era campaign. All donors who contribute by October 31 will be recognized as inaugural donors. Special recognition will be given to those who contribute $10,000 or more.
John and Dwin Schuler are well known in Wellesley. John was born and raised in town. He is known throughout Wellesley as a community leader, having been active in countless activities, including serving as Town Meeting member, for 65 years. Dwin has been active as a community supporter and organizer in multiple activities. Both John and Dwin have been tireless advocates for the Council on Aging and for the Tolles Parsons Center with Town officials and throughout Wellesley.
Mary Bowers has been the prime mover, principal organizer, chief spokesperson, and cheerleader for Wellesley COA volunteer efforts for many years. In addition to all of her volunteer work with the COA, she has been an advocate for the Tolles Parsons Center for more than a decade, and is well known for her efforts to “rally the troops” and ensure strong senior citizen participation when public meetings were held.
Sponsored by the Friends of the Wellesley Council on Aging, the New Era Fund is a public-private partnership formed to raise private funds to augment the Town’s construction budget and to support future and expanded programming as the Wellesley COA grows into the Tolles Parsons Center. The New Era Fund will be administered by the Foundation for MetroWest, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Co-Chairs of the Fund are Cynthia Sibold, Tony Parker and Miguel Lessing. More information about the New Era Fund can be found at www.newerafund.org.
