Emerald Club supports Mercy Centre

By William T. Clew
CFP Correspondent
There were fire engines and fire fighters from Worcester and mounted State and Worcester police.
There were members of local sports teams including the Pirates arena football team, the Railers hockey team and the Bravehearts baseball team.
There were family and friends and food Sept. 27 at the Mercy Centre on West Chester Street at the annual Emerald Club picnic.
And there was a basketball game.
For 28 years, Bill Gibbons, the former coach of the women’s basketball team at the College of the Holy Cross, brought his teams to play the Mercy Centre Foxes. In the 34 years he coached at Holy Cross, his teams won 613 games, more than any other basketball coach in Holy Cross history.
But, each year at the Mercy Centre, his teams, always talented and sometimes champions of the Patriot League, found a way to leave their skills behind and lose the game. They lost 28 years in a row and had a great time doing it.
This year Coach Gibbons recruited basketball players from Worcester State University and Worcester Polytechnic Institute for the game. Apparently they too left their skills back on campus, because the Mercy Centre won again – this time 22 to 17.
But this time Coach Gibbons didn’t coach the collegians. He coached the Mercy Centre team. So his record now stands at one and 28.
The Mercy Centre has been providing services for developmentally delayed adults 18 and older for many years. And for many years the Emerald Club has supported the Mercy Centre.
“Due to the Emerald Club’s generosity, Mercy Centre is able to provide community trips with their handicapped van. We have expanded our technology programs with iPads and Smartboards. Over the past three years, Mercy Centre has been fortunate to have the Emerald Club fund their therapeutic programs in art and music,” Margaret A. Buzzell, Mercy Centre administrator, said.   
She said everyone at the Mercy Centre looks forward to the annual Emerald Club picnic and gives thanks for the “dedication, support and commitment of the Emerald Club board and all its members for sponsoring this event.”  
More than 100 people take part in the centre’s four programs, Mrs. Buzzell said. Three programs are funded by the Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services. One is funded by MassHealth. The Mercy Centre also receives funding from Catholic Charities Worcester County.
This year Mercy Centre celebrated its 50th year for the adult services program and 10 years for the “Day Hab” program, Mrs. Buzzell said.