Ruth Willemain, age 79, of Harmony House of Western Massachusetts would have loaded all 70 cases of our candy into her van, if we had let her! She’s a woman with a dream and a plan. And she won’t let anything stand in her way.
Ruth, a Holyoke resident, and her friend, Jeanne St. Pierre, 82, of Chicopee, MA, took delivery of over $7,000 worth of Butter Nut Munch, Chocolate Squares, and Chocolate Almond Squares (Bark), Fudge and Penuche from our loading dock here in Wrentham.
Their dream: Harmony House of Western Massachusetts – a loving home where people living their final days will find love, peace and comfort.
And their plan: to continue with their fund raising efforts until they are able to purchase and staff that home – and build a lasting structure of support around it. Selling Trappistine Quality Candy has been part of their fund-raising efforts from the start.
And the Sisters of Mount St. Marys Abbey are delighted that the work of their hands and their prayer is going out to do more good.
Ruth, after 45 years of teaching, went into hospice and nursing home care. A friend of her sister’s was a resident at a similar home for the terminally ill, in Cleveland, OH – Malachi House of Hope – and they paid a visit.
“I walked through the doors and I was enveloped by love,” Ruth shared. “This was not an ordinary place. I immediately wanted to spread this ministry by founding a similar home in my area.”
“Malachi House has been operating for 26 years, and has never taken a cent from its residents,” adds Willemain. “We hope to be able to do the same.”
Ruth and Jeanne decided on using Trappistine Quality Candy for their fund raising after a visit to St. Joseph’s Abbey in Spencer, MA – a community of Trappist monks who are “brothers” to the Trappistines of Trappistine Quality Candy. The monks touted the candy as the best around, and a customer in the shop echoed that sentiment. It was affordable, made with all natural ingredients, and best of all, “Made with Love and Prayers”. Ruth was sold!
This fall, they are scheduled to sell the candy at several churches and Christmas Bazaars in the Holyoke area. They have seven venues scheduled every weekend between November 8th and December 14th in Westfield, Ludlow, Chicopee, South Hadley, and Holyoke (see list of addresses and times below.) The candy is even selling at the beauty salon that Ruth frequents – she shared it there once, and the clients all loved it so much that the owner decided to start selling it himself!
They never stop giving. At the ages of 79 and 82, long after retirement age, they work tirelessly to build the foundation under their dream.
“We’re fortunate enough that God has left us on this earth for this long,” Ruth adds, “so we want to continue to find ways to serve Him.”
If you’d like to support Harmony House of Western Massachusetts, and you can’t visit one of their fundraisers this Christmas season, please visit their web site www.harmonyhousewma.org or you can call Ruth at 413-534-0704 or Jeanne at 413-592-7889. They continue to raise funds toward their goal of $800,000. They are looking for Volunteers, Board Members, and Advisory Board members, and anyone who might like to contribute goods for the fund raisers, or property for the home.
Scheduled Venues are listed below, and published on their web site.
The candy is also available at:
Cosmo Cut and Style Beauty Salon, 1890 Memorial Dr. Chicopee, MA 01020
413-437-0818
Nov 8th 9-3
Elderfair
Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Parish Center
127 Holyoke Rd.
Westfield, MA
Nov 15-16
St. Elizabeth Parish
121 Hubbard St.
Ludlow, MA
After 4:00 Mass on the 15th
And on the 16th after the 7:30, 9:15, 11:00 and 5:00 p.m. Masses
Nov 22-23
Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Parish Center
127 Holyoke Rd.
Westfield, MA
After the 4:00 p.m. Mass on the 22nd
After the 7:00, 8:30, and 11:00 Masses on Sunday the 23rd
Nov 29th 9-2
Christmas in November Craft Fair
St. Patrick’s Social Center
Main and School St.
South Hadley, MA
Dec 6 9-3
The Arbors Holiday Craft Fair
929 Memorial Dr.
Chicopee, MA
Dec 6-7
Our Lady of the Cross
Sycamore St.
Holyoke, MA
After the 4:00 p.m. Mass on Saturday
After the 7:30, 9:00 and 10:30 masses on Sunday
December 13-14
St. Jerome Parish
Hampden St.
Holyoke, MA
After the 4:00 p.m. Mass on Saturday
After the 8:00 and 10:30 Masses on Sunday