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ANN WOFFORD
It’s Ann Wofford’s 50th birthday on Sunday, March 3 and she wants presents — but not for herself. Wofford, a member of the Mother Lode Rehabilitation Enterprises board of directors, came up with a different idea for celebrating 50 years of life.
MORE is an El Dorado County organization serving adults with developmental disabilities since 1973.
“We were talking about fundraising at a board meeting and one of the other directors said when her sister retired they had asked for donations to MORE in her name instead of gifts. I have a 50th birthday coming up and thought it would be a great idea,” said Wofford.
Susie Davies, executive director of MORE , followed up on the idea and the result is a party at the MORE facility on March 3 with soup, birthday cake, Wofford Acres Vineyard wines and entertainment by Liam Irish, a Celtic music performer.
The public is invited to the celebration. Wofford would like participants to honor the clients at MORE by donating money in any amount ending in 50 cents up to $50.
The money will be used to purchase a new lift for clients moving from wheelchairs to restroom facilities.
“The old lift is not working and this one will cost $1,500,” said Wofford. ”I want to let the world know that MORE is there and that we have on-going needs. We are not completely funded by the state and we need donations. MORE’s clientele is part of our community and any way I can support them is my pleasure.”
She hopes people who come to the party will also tour the facility and see what the clientele does.
“The creative arts program is exceptional and maybe people will buy some art, too,” said Wofford. “MORE’s clients are amazing and productive people in our community. This is where they can go to be in a safe place to create.”
In addition to other programs and services MORE offers to its clients, the organization has one out of only two programs for autism spectrum disorder clients in the state.
“We’ve graduated some clients out of the program and some are earning paychecks for the first time in their lives,” said Robin Chronister, executive assistant at MORE.
Still another program is making furniture and carpenter John is teaching clients to safely use tools with the goal of creating a crew that will assist construction crews on job sites.
“The clients are everywhere doing jobs in the community,” said Wofford. “They are perceived as being ‘different’, but they are just regular folks.”
Clients are employed in a variety of service areas such as grounds keeping, building and maintaining the downtown flower baskets, food services and document shredding and are available for individuals and businesses to hire, as well.
In addition to her involvement with MORE, Wofford is a trustee on the Camino School District board of trustees, a member of El Dorado Farm Trails, the Camino Community Action Committee, the El Dorado Women’s Foundation, the El Dorado Farm Bureau’s board of directors, the Apple Hill Grower’s Association board of directors, the Asociacion Guadalupana board of directors, secretary of the El Dorado Winery Association and co-owner with her husband Paul and his brother, Mike, of Wofford Acres Vineyard in Camino.
The public is invited to Wofford’s birthday party on Sunday, March 3, at MORE, 399 Placerville Drive in Placerville. Soup, bread and Wofford Acres Vineyard wines will be served along with birthday cake from 2 to 6 p.m.
Donations to MORE can be made in Ann Wofford’s name. If you wish to contribute and cannot attend, donations can be made online at morerehab.org or by calling MORE at 530-622-4848.
“Come and have a good time and see a part of the community you might not be aware of,” said Wofford.
Contact Wendy Schultz at 530 344-5069 or wschultz@mtdemocrat.net. Follow @wschultzMtDemo on Twitter.
