A place for smiles, happiness, and joy

Sweet Inspirations is a new and wonderful candy store for all who have a sweet tooth!  Nestled in the heart of Milford, our new store is a “must-visit” experience that offers a wide range of classic chocolates, gourmet gummies, and awesome treats.

Our inspiration

The Aaron Zenus Foundation, a 501(c)(3) approved charitable organization is pleased to announce the opening of our new business venture we call “Sweet Inspirations”.  Sweet Inspirations is a non-profit, retail candy and specialty gift shop that provides vocational and employment opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.  We hope you will visit and see for yourself the thoughtfulness and dedication of our young staff who make sure you have a delightful shopping experience.

The inspiration behind Sweet Inspirations is the memory of Aaron Zenus, a loving, caring, and compassionate young man, who touched the lives of everyone he met.  What separated Aaron from your typical 12-year-old was the tremendous respect and consideration he showed to all individuals, especially to anyone he felt was less fortunate than he.  After a brief illness in early 2019, Aaron was taken from us far too soon.  Through the Aaron Zenus Foundation, we intend to keep his memory alive, and to see to it that his dreams and wishes are fulfilled.

The Aaron Zenus Foundation

As seen on the news!

Boston 25 Fox News (air date Dec 12, 2022)

WBZ News Boston (air date February 13, 2025)

Our store

Sweet Inspirations is a new and wonderful candy store for all who have a sweet tooth.  Nestled in the heart of Milford, Massachusetts, our store is a must-visit experience that offers a wide range of classic chocolates, gourmet gummies, and awesome treats.  You’ll love it here.  And we do too!  Come visit us and enjoy the fun ambiance, helpful staff,  and smiling faces.

Services

Made-To-Order Gift Baskets

We can provide a variety of sweet treats to fill your basket with tasty delights for a special and memorable gift.

Custom Party Favors

Let us design your party favors, tailored for your special occassions providing an extra special touch.

Personalized Tours

Come visit with us and we’ll show you the store, our operation, and our wonderful staff.

Meet our employees

Ashley Aldrich

Hi my name is Ashley Aldrich! I love my work at Sweet Inspirations. I also serve on the Board of Directors for the Aaron Zenus Foundation. In addition to my Sweet Inspirations job, I work for Milford Special Olympics as an administrative assistant, and I also work at the Milford High School Café serving lunches.

In my spare time, I play a variety of sports for Milford Special Olympics. In 2019, I was selected as one of twelve athletes to play in the Special Olympics NBA Cares Unified Basketball Game during All-Star Weekend in Charlotte, North Carolina. In 2022, I was part of the Special Olympics Massachusetts National Games Team. For fun, I enjoy shooting hoops in my backyard with family and friends.

Wendi Bonina

Hi, my name is Wendi and I work at Sweet Inspirations on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I currently attend the Michael Lisnow Respite Center and have been going there for 25 years! It is a day program, so I get to go home every day.

I have many friends at the center, and most of them have been attending as long as I have. One of the things I love most about working at Sweet Inspirations is getting to know great people and making lots of new friends. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family, especially my 11 nieces and nephews.

Katie Annis

Hi, my name is Kathleen, but my friends call me Katie. I work at Sweet Inspirations on Saturdays. I have lived my whole life in Milford and attended Milford High School. I love being part of the community and staying busy.

I participate in a variety of Special Olympics teams, enjoy Unified Theater, family support activities, and attending Advocates/HMEA Employment Services in Franklin to learn skills for employment. I do lots of volunteer work and especially enjoy volunteering at the Woonsocket Cat Shelter.

In my spare time, I enjoy exploring open spaces in Massachusetts, playing games on my phone, and spending time with my friends, especially my friend Sophie. I love animals, cooking shows, and hiking.

Zachary Landry

Hi, my name is Zachary Landry, and I work at Sweet Inspirations on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I enjoy greeting people as they come into the store—it makes me happy.

I am part of Milford Special Olympics and Unified sports, playing basketball, track and field, swimming, cornhole, and bocce. I love going to the Happy Place in Whitinsville once a month to hang out with my friends. I’m also involved in Best Buddies. In my spare time, I enjoy building LEGOs and doing 1,000-piece puzzles.

Joseph Stone

Hi, my name is Joseph Stone, and I work at Sweet Inspirations on Tuesdays. I also work two days a week at a go-karting facility. I recently became an advocate not only for myself but for others to better understand their rights. I was asked to be a peer mentor for the Class of 2023 Advocates in Action.

I enjoy participating in many sports for Milford Special Olympics and have competed in two Special Olympics USA Games. I also enjoy coaching young athletes in basketball, which is where my real passion lies. When I am relaxing, I enjoy WWE wrestling, the Power Rangers, and spending time with my family and friends.

Krissy Ferreira

Hello, my name is Krissy Ferreira, and I am the store lead at Sweet Inspirations. I am thrilled to be part of such an inclusive and happy place. I live in Milford with my husband, Tony, and our two children.

I have worked in vocational programming and individual supports for many years and have experience providing comprehensive support and advocacy to individuals facing diverse challenges. I enjoy empowering our staff to grow their skills and promoting teamwork at our sweet shop.

Kelsie Duest

Hello! My name is Kelsie, and I am thrilled to be part of the Sweet Inspirations team every Friday! I am a graduate of Milford High School and a Special Olympics athlete who participates in track, swimming, and basketball. I love to dance and sing and have been part of the Unified Theater program. I also enjoy working at the Blessing Barn Bookstore. When I am relaxing, I enjoy listening to music—especially Ariana Grande and Taylor Swift!

Bobby Pouliot

Hi everyone, my name is Bobby, and I am so happy to be working at Sweet Inspirations on Wednesdays and Fridays. I live at home with my mom, dad, and my dog, Rocco. I have an older brother, Domenic, and a younger brother, Jimmy.

I am a Special Olympics powerlifter and an assistant coach for Special Olympics Unified Flag Football. I recently started taking karate and really enjoy it. I love to sing and act and want to be a movie director one day. In my spare time, I enjoy volunteering in my community as well as a good dance party.

Kevin Leary

My name is Kevin Leary, and I work at Sweet Inspirations on Wednesdays. I live in Foxborough, Massachusetts, with my parents, my older sister Kaitlyn, my younger sister Colleen, and my dog, Max. In 2021, I graduated from the Milestones Day Program.

In my spare time, I enjoy playing golf, swimming, and taking guitar lessons. I also enjoy spending time on Cape Cod with my family in the summer. One of my biggest accomplishments is earning my black belt in karate.

Eduardo Marques

Hi, my name is Eduardo Marques. I work at Sweet Inspirations on Wednesdays. I enjoy learning all the new skills while I am there. In my spare time, I enjoy swimming and bowling with my friends in Special Olympics. For fun, I love going to the beach, kayaking, and playing with my dog, Cooper. I also have a great time watching Disney movies, doing puzzles, and listening to music.

Ryan Cohen

Hello my name is Ryan.  I am a graduate of Framingham State University and I am happy to work at Sweet Inspirations on Wednesdays. I also work at Panera Bread on the weekends. Ryan is very close with his family and lives with his parents; he also has a sister who lives in California. In his spare time, he enjoys playing video games, watching animated shows, and traveling. His favorite vacation destination is Disney World.

Kathleen Loverude

Hi, my name is Kathleen Loverude. I work at Sweet Inspirations on Fridays. In my spare time, I make dog biscuits for Woofin’ Good Treats and play soccer for Special Olympics. I also enjoy volunteering at the Bellingham Senior Center. Spending time with friends, family, and my three cats—Belle, Sheldon, and Annie—is very important to me. Card making is one of my favorite hobbies, and I look forward to creating cards for customers at Sweet Inspirations.

Joe Morrill

Hello, my name is Joe Morrill, and I work at Sweet Inspirations on Tuesdays. I also serve on the Board of Directors for Sweet Inspirations. In addition to my work there, I am a Special Olympics athlete who participates in many sports. My two favorites are powerlifting and flag football.

I am a 2018 Special Olympics National Champion, earning two gold and two silver medals in powerlifting. In my spare time, I enjoy cooking, working out, and going for walks on the beach.

Paula LeBlanc

Hi, my name is Paula, and I am a job coach at Sweet Inspirations. I am passionate about kindness, inclusion, and creating opportunities for all. Bringing sweet treats and sweeter smiles to our community fills my heart.

By day, I am a Behavioral Assistant at Brookside Elementary School, and at heart, I am a Special Olympics bowling coach. As a Disney enthusiast, I am always chasing the magic—because everyone deserves to feel seen, valued, and included.

 

Gilberto Ramirez

Hello, my name is Gilberto, and I work at Sweet Inspirations on Fridays and Saturdays. I am a student at Milford High School and participate in the Project SEARCH program at Milford Regional Medical Center. I have a passion for art and love to draw. Working at Sweet Inspirations is a dream come true.

 

Greg Iacovelli

Hi, my name is Greg, and I am a lifelong Milford resident. You can find me at Sweet Inspirations on Thursdays. I am also a proud Milford High School graduate and a very active member of the Milford Lions Club. I am an avid sports fan and enjoy giving back to the community through volunteering.

Jaci Ehrlich

Hi, I am Jaci, and I work at Sweet Inspirations on Wednesdays. I am a proud member of Milford Special Olympics, where I compete year-round in basketball, track, and softball. I am also a volunteer at Milford Regional Medical Center. I am always happy and love offering a bright smile.

Michael Delgado

Hi, my name is Michael Delgado, and I work at Sweet Inspirations every Thursday. I am a graduate of Worcester State University with a degree in Communications and a minor in Computer Science. I enjoy writing, playing video games, and going on walks for exercise. I enjoy learning new things and being part of the Sweet Inspirations team.

Missy Peckham

Hi, my name is Missy, and I am a job coach at Sweet Inspirations. I absolutely love my job and coming to work every day. In my spare time, I am often found in a karate dojo watching my two children, Dylan and Kenzie, in their classes or watching my husband, Al, do jiu-jitsu.

I am a lifelong resident of North Attleboro and adore spending time with my husband, children, and parents—especially my Gigi. I also enjoy crafting and reading during a quiet night at home. Most importantly, I love showing the world the abilities of people who are often seen as disabled.

Come Visit us!

Or Shop Online

19 Central St.

Milford, MA 01757

Sunday & Monday - Closed

Tue, Wed, & Fri - 11:00am -6pm

Thursday - 11:00am - 7pm

Saturday - 10am - 4pm