Schools Reach out to Less Fortunate Students
Photos by Patrick Nelson
By Jill Gadsby, The Daily Item of
Lynn, Wednesday, December 14, 2005
LYNN - What began
last holiday season as an impromptu effort to provide children within the Lynn
Public Schools with clothing and toys has blossomed into a successful drive that
employees are hoping will continue for years to come.
"The effort has doubled and tripled from last year," Lynn Public
Schools Human Resources Director Patricia Libby said. "Last year, we had
about 100 volunteers and about the same amount of kids. This year, we have over
250 kids and at least 300 volunteers. It has really, really blossomed."
The effort was started last year by one woman within the Lynn Public Schools who
remains anonymous. When people got wind of the drive, Libby said they stepped up
to help out.
"Just by word of mouth it has been top to bottom, bottom to top, left to
right," she said, explaining the different levels of people from within the
system that have contributed. "People have given money, time, a gift,
wrapping - something."
While the drive raised $2,000 last year, Libby said that figure has more than
doubled this year.
"We are pushing the $5,000 mark in the form of cash donations," she
said. "In some cases, people have just come out of the blue. There are
three people at City Hall who heard about it through the grapevine and they gave
coats, toys and gifts in a very generous way. Jane Webber, Annette Huskin and
Letty Levangia - they did a great job for us."
Libby said corporate donations have also come through this year, namely Toomey's
Cleaners. She said Classical High School, despite the ongoing issues with its
sinking building, has also contributed.
"They provided 90 percent of the volunteer force to make this thing happen,
despite what they're going through," she said. "The students in the
different clubs really came forward."
Students in the History, Key, Science and Spanish clubs and the National Honor
Society helped raise money for the cause.
Classical High School clerk Coula Kesanlis seemed amazed by the response the
effort has received.
"People are more generous than anybody ever gave them credit for," she
said. "Some people had to be told to stop shopping because there was no
more room in the trunk."
Students in the Lynn Vocational Technical Institute distributive education
shop volunteered as well.
"As part of their community service, they've been wrapping gifts," she
said. "They've done a nice job for us."
Libby said students in the cosmetology shop also volunteered.
"They donated a day of beauty for the parents to come in, have their hair
cut, or have a facial or manicure," she said. "Folks can come in and
have a little fun for themselves."
The gifts will be distributed to students at the Connery Annex, Brickett, Cobbet,
Drewicz, Harrington and Ingalls elementary schools, Marshall Middle School and
Classical High School and to a population of students in outside placements.
Libby said plans are already in the works to expand the drive next year.
"We're not getting any smaller next year," she quipped. "(We're
hoping to help) 500 people. We're going to start a little earlier next year.
We've set a tentative date for a first planning meeting in August '06. It's
really turning into a vision here."
Classical students representing their school Clubs are wrapping toys for the children they are sponsoring.
