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Bridgewood Farms Celebrates 50 Year Anniversary with Luncheon

By Hello Woodlands | September 19, 2017

Conroe, TX (September 19, 2017) –Bridgewood Farms is celebrating 50 years of serving the Special Needs families throughout the greater Montgomery County area. Since 1967, families have sought out programs and services that offer training and life experiences to build self-esteem and promote personal independence for their adult children to reach their highest potential.

In 1966, 3 out of every 100 children born in Montgomery County with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. A pre-school program was established called the Jack and Jill school with 10 volunteers serving nine attendees. Founded April 7,1967 as the Association of Retarded Children, it was renamed in 1971 as the Montgomery County Children’s Center.

The school found a permanent home at 119 Frazier in Downtown Conroe under the direction of Martha Wilcox. As it grew, mentally challenged adults attended and participated in programs that offered opportunities for growth of their self-image; woodworking, household duties, yardwork, and handicrafts. In 1978, Sue Nichols and a team of 18 other individuals incorporated the non-profit organization and formed Montgomery County Center for the Retarded. The name changed again in 1995 to Friends of the Retarded, Inc, and in 1998 the name was permanently changed to Bridgewood Farms after the purchase of a 17-acre Christmas Tree Farm in Conroe. Bridgewood Farms is now situated on 53 acres.

Today Bridgewood Farms coordinates host homes for 14 clients in 4 homes with plans for a quintplex to be completed by the end of December 2018. Currently, the day program serves over 100 adults weekly ranging from 17-70 years of age. Many of the clients have attended Bridgewood Farms for over 20 years because this gives them a sense of belonging that puts a smile on their face.

Join Bridgewood Farms as they bring friends, board members, volunteers, clients, and the community together for a celebratory luncheon at the Lakeside Ballroom in April Sound Country Club on Lake Conroe, Friday, October 20^th from 11:30am-2:00pm.

Past community members over the years involved with Bridgewood Farms include Charlotte Cashner, Mancil Davis, Rigby Owen, Jr, Dorothy Buckalew, The Whatley Family, Jack Garrett, Dot Schroeder, Henry Brooks, MJ Pickens, Carl Barton Jr, Joe Corley, BJ Kemple, Julie Mayrant, John Gandy, James Ulrich, Martha Wilcox, Kenna Seiler, John Albert Madeley, Peggy Lesch, Roland May, Bill Hall, Debbie Carter, Tim McCaw, The Signorelli Family, Alice Coker, Mike McDougal, Dale Brunswick, Steve Sanders, Ron Saikowski, Pat Moritz, George Wagoner and the many “great” volunteers. Sue Nichols served as Executive Director from 1971-1990, and Flo Nelson has lead the organization since 1990 through the present time.

Sponsorships available ranging from Platinum at $5,000 to Bronze at $250 with Golden Tickets selling for $50. Reserve your ticket or get details about sponsorships at www.BridgewoodFarms.org.

From the early days of a pre-school, a day care, an adult learning facility in Downtown Conroe to the present 53 acres with 5 modular buildings with 3 classrooms, 2 for offices, 4 residential homes, gymnasium, pond, horticulture commercial greenhouses, and classroom lab; Bridgewood Farms has always had a goal to make people feel special and appreciated maximizing their personal independence to reach their highest potential.

A five-year strategic plan includes a capital campaign replacing all portable buildings to permanent structures.

Learn more about Bridgewood Farms by visiting their website at www.BridgewoodFarms.org or follow them on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/BridgewoodFarmsConroe

Bridgewood Farms would like to reach out to all past members and volunteers. If you have any information to share, please call (936) 856-6460.