This 50-Year Fairhaven Non-Profit Is Walking to Support Local Students With Special Needs

The Southeastern Massachusetts Educational Collaborative (SMEC) is an amazing organization, providing educational services to children and adults with physical and developmental disabilities for more than 50 years.

The Friends of SMEC is now asking for your help, hoping to raise money to benefit those enrolled in their programs. The Friends group is sponsoring the eighth annual Health and Wellness Walk-a-Thon on Saturday, October 24 at 9 a.m. The starting point is 56 Bridge Street in Fairhaven and registration begins at 8:30 a.m.

Sherri Tetrault has worked at SMEC for more than 30 years. She serves as the agency's Director of Communications, and is vice president of the Friends group. Tetrault visited Townsquare Sunday to discuss what SMEC is about and the upcoming fundraiser.

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What Is the Southeastern Massachusetts Educational Collaborative?

Students from 10 local school districts who need specialized instruction or support are referred to SMEC for services. Those districts include New Bedford, Greater New Bedford Voc-Tech, Fairhaven, Fall River, Dartmouth and more.

How the Friends of SMEC Supports SouthCoast Students

Tetrault said the Friends of SMEC organization is a registered nonprofit, made up mainly of parents raising funds to support the educational collaborative and its work.

"The Friends provide startup money for individuals going out on their own, money for field trips and community activities, anything students might need to enrich their educational experience," Tetrault said.

Event Details: 8th Annual Health and Wellness Walk-a-Thon

The Friends group holds several fundraisers throughout the year, and Tetrault said the Health and Wellness Walk-a-Thon has been quite successful.

"One of the main goals of the Walk-a-Thon is, as a community, to get together and walk and enjoy each other's company, and promote health and wellness," she said.

She said money raised from this year's event will promote good health, whether it's purchasing an exercise bike for students to use or paying for a membership to the YMCA.

Those interested in taking part in the Health and Wellness Walk-a-Thon can register at smecollaborative.org, or just show up. The three top fundraisers will receive VISA gift cards. Individual donations are also welcome.

If you would like your nonprofit or charitable event featured on Townsquare Sunday, please email the host at jim.phillips@townsquaremedia.com.