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Woodforest Charitable Foundation supports mentally challenged adults with contributions to Special Angels and Bridgewood Farms Many challenged adults live lives of neglect and isolation, hidden away or socially excluded from full participation in schools or society.

Special Angels and Bridgewood Farms Receive Contributions

Photo Caption:Woodforest Charitable Foundation recently provided a $5,000 contribution to Bridgewood Farms. Pictured left to right are: Kim Marling and Dr. David Gottlieb of Woodforest Charitable Foundation; David Dowden; John Gandy; Jody Shumpert; Linda Tiernan; Pat Sendelbach, Bridgewood Farms Board of Directors - Secretary; Enid Goodman, Bridgewood Farms Administrator; and Tim McCaw, Bridgewood Farms Board of Directors – President.

THE WOODLANDS, TX (March2010)  In support of adults with mental challenges, Woodforest Charitable Foundation has recently donated $5,000 to Special Angels of The Woodlands and $5,000 to Bridgewood Farms.  Both organizations strive to provide services that allow individuals with intellectual disabilities to enhance their potential through community participation, self development, and the experience of success.

The mission of Special Angels of The Woodlands is to provide a day activity center for mentally challenged adults, at little cost, with an emphasis on the Special Olympics Program.  Special Olympics is often the only place that individuals with intellectual disabilities have an opportunity to participate in their communities and develop belief in themselves.  Many challenged adults live lives of neglect and isolation, hidden away or socially excluded from full participation in schools or society.  Transforming the athlete, Special Olympics sports are a gateway to empowerment, competence, acceptance and joy.

Since 1968, Special Olympics has been bringing one message to the world: people with intellectual disabilities can and will succeed if given the opportunity.  Woodforest Charitable Foundation's recent contribution will help Special Angels of The Woodlands continue to provide daily activities and Special Olympics training for the adult mentally challenged of Montgomery County and surrounding areas.

“Special Angels helps facilitate physical training, self esteem, and social competence in any environment of home, work or play.  Through our program, we have seen many lives changed for the better," said Thelma Braddock, Founder of Special Angels of The Woodlands. “With the help of donations from our supporters such as Woodforest Charitable Foundation, we will continue to see improvements.  We thank them for their generous support of our efforts to meet the needs of the adult mentally challenged."

For more information about Special Angels of The Woodlands, please call (281) 292-2073 or visit www.specialangelsofthewoodlands.org.

Bridgewood Farms provides day programs and services for individuals with special needs and is located in Conroe, TX.  In partnership with the local community, they enable individuals who are intellectually disabled to reach their highest potential.  According to Enid Goodman, Administrator of Bridgewood Farms, through continual education, these adults learn and improve their functional skills, acquire meaningful job skills for the possibility of working in the community, experience the joys that come with their accomplishments at the Center, and grow socially and emotionally.

For more information about Bridgewood Farms, call (936) 856-6460 or visit www.bridgewoodfarms.org.

The Woodforest Charitable Foundation was created by Woodforest National Bank in 2005 as a direct result of its desire to support and invest in the communities in which it serves.  The Foundation is creating a legacy of commitment to those in need, enriching lives and communities through dedicated leadership and faithful administration by providing funding to qualifying 501(c)(3) charities. For additional information regarding The Woodforest Charitable Foundation, call (832) 375-CARE (2273) or visit the foundation’s website at www.woodforestcharitablefoundation.org.

Celebrating 30 years of service and ranked among the top earning banks in the United States, the Woodforest family of banks currently has assets of approximately $3.2 billion and services more than 770,000 customers with branches in excess of 700 throughout fifteen states: Texas, Alabama, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia. For information about Woodforest National Bank, please call 832-375-2000 or visit the bank’s website at www.woodforest.com.