dbelisle – Wesley's Way Foundation

Wesley’s Way Annual Scholarship – 2024

December 29, 2024 dbelisle Leave a comment Literacy and Education Program

We are happy to announce that the second scholarship payment was made from the recently established Wesley’s Way Scholarship Fund, where a $6,100 award was given to a student from Hooksett, NH. This recipient is a junior currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Marine Science at Boston University.

Wesley’s Way Foundation wishes this student the best of luck in their studies and their future career in Marine Science!

November 20, 2022

Wesley’s Way Foundation is excited to announce the establishment of our annual Wesley’s Way Scholarship through the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation.

Our foundation’s mission includes improving water safety and supporting educational opportunities in our community, and the establishment of this permanent scholarship will help further this mission while financially assisting students as they pursue their college degree in meaningful fields of study.

The scholarship is available to NH residents only, and will be awarded annually to one individual who is pursuing a degree in Ocean Sciences (ocean engineering or oceanography) or in Education (focusing on early childhood education, preschool education, or elementary education).

The scholarship is administered by the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, the largest provider of publicly available scholarships in New Hampshire. They will award the scholarship to a student pursuing a degree in either Ocean Sciences or Education, while factoring in financial need.

For more information about applying for a scholarship through the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, please visit their website at https://www.nhcf.org/how-can-we-help-you/apply-for-a-scholarship/.

Wesley’s Wheels for the Outer Banks – 2024

December 22, 2024 dbelisle Leave a comment Community Assistance for Children

Wesley’s Way Foundation is continuing its tradition of bringing some joy this holiday season to children in the Outer Banks as part of our Wesley’s Wheels initiative. We were able to purchase and donate bicycles for 18 children which were distributed by the Outer Banks Woman’s Club as part of their Angel Gift program for 2024.

Susan and Valerie from OBX Woman’s Club with a few of the bikes donated by Wesley’s Way

We hope these bikes help make a great holiday season for these children in the Outer Banks!

Wesley’s Wheels for NH – 2024

December 6, 2024 dbelisle Leave a comment Community Assistance for Children

For the seventh year in a row, Wesley’s Way Foundation has purchased and delivered toys to the Salvation Army’s Toy Shop to help out families in need this holiday season.

This year, we were able to donate 246 toys, which is by far our highest amount yet!

From all of us at Wesley’s Way, we hope this helps many children have a great holiday season this year.

Smart Kids R Safe Kids Program – 2024

November 30, 2024 dbelisle Leave a comment Water Safety Program

Wesley’s Way Foundation was able to provide funding for the third year in a row for the Dare County Smart Kids R Safe Kids program. The following article published in October is from Dare County News, and it gives a good description of the program.

Dare County first graders receive Go Bags, learn important safety lessons

Post Date:10/24/2024 2:35 PM

Since 2021, Dare County Department of Health & Human Services’ (DCDHHS) Smart KIDS R Safe KIDS program has been sharing important lessons with Dare County’s elementary-aged students about how to be prepared for hurricanes and other disasters as well as how to be safe in and around the water.

The program got off the ground during the 2021-22 school year thanks to a NC Public Health Preparedness and Response Bright Ideas Grant and has continued with the help of a generous grant from Wesley’s Way Foundation as well as North Banks Rotary Club. As part of the program, Dare County first graders learn about ocean safety, flood safety and how to pack a Go Bag by watching an entertaining professionally-made video developed by Dare County employees.

Students also receive their very own Go Bag from DCDHHS, complete with a Go Bag checklist, activity book and crayons, whistle, flashlight and water bottle. The bags also include a contact card for students and adults to fill out.

“The Smart Kids Program is a fun way for students to learn about and prepare for floods without being scared,” said Dare County Department of Health & Human Services Preparedness Coordinator Greta Sharp. “We hope this program reminds adults to prepare as well.”

There were 316 Go Bags distributed to Dare County first graders in September and with the program in its fourth year, that means that all elementary students in Dare County this year have been exposed to water safety education and received Go Bags.

The program is well received by students, who regularly send thank you cards for the lessons and the Go Bags. “Thank you for teaching me never to take your eyes off the water,” one recent card read. Another thanked program leaders for the Go Bags. “I loved the whistle,” the student wrote.

For more information on the program, please visit https://www.darenc.gov/SafeKids. To learn more about being a Smart KIDS R Safe KIDS sponsor, please email Greta Sharp at Greta.Sharp@darenc.gov.

Information on how to build a basic disaster supplies kit can be found here.

DCDHHS Preparedness Coordinator Greta Sharp

Support for NH Classrooms – 2024

November 15, 2024 dbelisle Leave a comment Literacy and Education Program

Wesley’s Way is happy to continue helping NH school children by providing items requested by classroom teachers. This year, we were able to reach 998 students by funding a variety projects at various schools in NH. These projects should help students with important skills such as math, reading, art, science, and more!

Trunk-or-Treat 2024

October 31, 2024 dbelisle Leave a comment Community Assistance for Children

On October 27th, Wesley’s Way participated in a Trunk-or-Treat in Hooksett, NH.

It was a great event and there were so many kids dressed in great costumes. So much fun!

Happy Halloween to all!

Chester Playground Donation

August 9, 2024 dbelisle Leave a comment Parks and Playgrounds Program

On August 8, Wesley’s Way Foundation made a $5,000 donation to the Playground Project Corporation to help them get closer to their $75,000 goal which will allow them to build a playground in Chester in honor of Oliver Scott.

Chester has always held a special place in the Belisle/Beaurivage families’ hearts. The Chester Fire Department, Chester Academy, and the Wason Pounder group were generous in their donations to our foundation after the loss of our son Wesley. It is because of compassionate people like those in Chester that we were able to start Wesley’s Way Foundation.

We were fortunate to build a playground in honor of Wesley at the school he would have attended. It is an absolute privilege to be able to help in the construction of Oliver’s Playground at Chester Academy. It is an honor to remember Bob Grimm and Oliver Scott in our donation. We hope all will find some joy in the completion of this playground that was built through so much love.

“Pack a Pack” 2024

August 9, 2024 dbelisle Leave a comment Literacy and Education Program

For the fifth year in a row, Wesley’s Way Foundation has chosen once again to help purchase backpacks and school supplies for NH children through the Boys & Girls Club’s “Pack a Pack” drive for 2024.

With a goal of improving literacy and education, Wesley’s Way is proud to support this drive as it helps improve the lives of school children throughout NH.

Camp Foster Scholarships – 2024

June 1, 2024 dbelisle Leave a comment Community Assistance for Children

For the third year in a row, Wesley’s Way Foundation supported the Boys & Girls Club of Manchester’s “Send a Kid to Camp” Scholarship program, where our donation allowed one child to experience Camp Foster for the entire summer.

Camp Foster is a weekly summer day camp program that provides outdoor summer activities on a 20-acre site located in Bedford, NH.

Wesley’s Way Foundation is proud to continue helping children in our community by allowing them to participate in special activities like summer camp, where they can experience activities such as boating, canoeing, swimming, arts and crafts, and more!

Wesley’s Way 5k 2024

May 22, 2024 dbelisle Leave a comment Past Events

Our 5th annual 5k fundraiser was held on May 16, 2024 at the Londonderry Rail Trail as part of Millennium Running’s Happy Hour Hustle series. We had 250+ people participate in person this year, and another 50+ participate virtually from around the country. Thank you all so much for making this a successful fundraiser!