For nearly 50 years Plainville couple have helped give voice to residents with developmental disabilities

(March 31, 2009) - When Bob and Jane Mercure’s children attended elementary school back in the early 60s, Jane got a call one day from a teacher asking her to serve as a “room mother.” However, after being told that the job involved frequent trips to school, Jane knew that this was one volunteer position she would have to turn down.

She explained to the teacher that while she would be glad to write letters or make calls from home, it would be impossible for her to spend so much time in the classroom because she had a daughter at home with Down Syndrome. The teacher responded, “But you still have four other children in public school…” To which Jane replied, “That’s true, but they have a voice and this child doesn’t.”

And so began the volunteer legacy that Jane and Bob did embrace – giving a voice and an opportunity for a more fulfilling life – to their daughter Maureen and others in the community with developmental disabilities. They are receiving the Celebrate Plainville award for 47 years of selfless service in honor of that calling, primarily with PARC, Family-Centered Services for People with Developmental Disabilities.

In fact, they are awarding the $2,500 grant given to them by the Community Foundation of Greater New Britain in conjunction with this honor, to PARC. The Mercure’s were among the early founders of the organization, which served as a support system for parents at a time when there were simply no agencies providing services to these children living at home. The parents were being told to place them in institutions, but the Mercure’s and several other local couples had other ideas.

“We didn’t set out to change the world,” explains Jane. “It’s just that we all knew if we didn’t do something, our kids would be so isolated. And so we really don’t look at it as volunteering, it’s just what we do as a family.” Indeed, it was the Mercure’s fourth youngest, Colleen Brochu of Plainville, who nominated her parents for this honor, saying in her letter:

Memories of childhood include many a meeting held in our kitchen and many events and fundraisers that became a way of life for the family. The real work, however, was always done… by our hardworking parents whose energy and enthusiasm for their cause has never waned in all 47 years that Maureen – and PARC – has been part of their world.

PARC has come a long way from its humble beginning where meetings took place around the kitchen table. Jane still sits on the Board, along with “phenomenal” newer faces who are continuing the mission that she and Bob helped launch – giving a voice and a more fulfilling life for those with developmental disabilities. 
   
The Mercures were one of 12 Plainville couples or individuals nominated for the 2009 Celebrate! Plainville award. The other nominees included: James Cassidy, Perry Cole, Matt Gingras, Gerard “Reno” Levesque, Ann Krupinski, Helen Marinelli, Margaret (Peg) Matteo, Richard “Ricky” Schryer, Dayna Snell, Rick Solomon, and Deb Tom.

“As always, we had a great field of nominees this year, and are so pleased to honor the Mercures as our nominees. Their continued service to a cause that means so much to them is a win-win for us all,” said Jim Williamson, president of the Community Foundation of Greater New Britain and a Southington resident.

Established in 1941, the Community Foundation of Greater New Britain connects donors who care with causes that matter in Berlin, New Britain, Plainville and Southington. It does this by raising resources and developing partnerships that make a measurable improvement in the quality of life in each of these communities. The Community Foundation sponsors the Celebrate award in each of the four communities it serves, pledging a total of $10,000 for local charities. For more information about the Community Foundation, please call (860) 229-6018 or visit www.cfgnb.org.