December 2016
From left, Heather Elster, Executive Director of the Whitin Community Center accepting the UniBank Community Building Award from Alternatives Executive Director  Dennis H. Rice.
WHITINSVILLE — Each year, at the organization’s annual Thank You Reception, Alternatives recognizes an individual or organization that has used their talents and resources to strength en the community with the UniBank Community Building Award.
This year’s award, Alternatives’ most prestigious, was granted to the Whitin Community Center in Whitinsville. More than 700 people were on hand at the Holiday Inn in Boxborough as Heather Elster, the Community Center’s Executive Director accepted the honor from Alternatives’ Executive Director Dennis H. Rice.
In his remarks, Rice noted that the Community Center’s mission to “enhance the health and well-being of individuals and families and to build a strong community†mirrors Alternatives own values. Alternatives, which is headquartered at the Whitin Mill in Whitinsville, serves individu als with disabilities, some of whom regularly participate in swimming and health and wellness classes at the Community Center.
Rice added that “over the years, the relationship between the Community Center and Alternatives has become a true and successful partnership.â€
Another area of commonality between the two organizations is their shared history. Both the Whitin Mill and the Community Center have his torical significance as part of George Marston Whitin’s vision for the town of Whitinsville.
Blackstone Valley Tribune
December 2016