Murdock Students Collect Hygiene Supplies for Those in Need

Seen in this photo, Murdock students of Ms. Frye's class pose with boxes of many hygiene supplies collected for children living in Foster Care, soon to be packaged into goodie bags for both the Murdock MMHS Food Pantry, and the agency Fostering Change. Seen posing with the charitable collection from left to right are Jason Jones, Victor Perez, Cole Patterson, Daniel Sroczynski, Hallie Lafrenie, Cassidy Lauziere, and Camille Hart. Not seen in photo, classmate Brooke Zabik.
Photo by Keith Kent

by Keith Kent, Winchendon Courier Correspondent
Murdock High School students spent the month of November collecting hygiene supplies for those needing a helping hand via the Leominster organization Fostering Change, in a joint effort to make a difference that acknowledges even the smallest items which most take for granted can make a big difference in the lives of those who may have a more difficult path.

Students collected everything from toothbrushes and toothpaste, to hair care products, razors, shaving gel, deodorant, bandages, hand sanitizer, face cloths, tissues, nail clippers, hair ties and more. All collected and donated proceeds are targeted for both the Murdock Food Pantry and the Fostering Change organization to help children and students in the North Central Massachusetts foster care system.

Student Camille Hart said, "Our teacher Ms. Frye said she works with the agency Fostering Change and told us that it was in need. We all thought it was a good idea to take on and try to help out as a class and coordinate also with our local food pantry here at the school, so we thought taking on the project and connecting the two would also be beneficial to the school."

The students placed boxes for donation collection at businesses around Winchendon, including Unique Dental, the Clark Memorial YMCA, Not Just Produced, and the High School. From November 1 through November 30, the items started to accumulate. Unique Dental, on Central Street in Winchendon, chipped in with a large donation of toothbrushes to add to the worthy cause. Students in the class also pointed out that Ms. Frye had her own collection box adding to the effort.

Students in the class also sent out the call for the cause on their personal Facebook, Instagram, and Tik Tok social media accounts, along with the school itself including the cause on its Youtube channel, Blue Devil Weekly. Hart explained that once the collected donations are sorted out, the students in Frye's and Catherine Ellis' classes will then place them in goodie bags or care packages for delivery as needed by the school food pantry and Fostering Change which works directly with families.

The students were asked, "What does it mean to you to know you are making a difference in the life of others you may never get to know?" Victor Perez replied, "It's a pretty good feeling to know that somebody got the items, and they used them, and that it helped. They don't know who it is, but it can give them hope for future help and know that other people will want to help."

Fellow classmate Danielle Sroczynski followed with, "I think it's been a good way to learn empathy, and how to put yourself in the shoes of somebody who might not be as fortunate as you are." Cassidy Lauziere added, "We know how hard it is going through things, and know there are kids who don't have as much as we do, I feel at the end of the day it makes me happy to know they have somebody to look after them because some people don't, so I really like knowing we are helping them."

If you are interested in learning more about the organization Fostering Change which helps students in foster care across North Central Mass with school supplies, it is located at 197 Spruce Street, Leominster, MA. For more information, call 978-987-1333, email fosteringchangema@gmail.com, or follow Fostering Change Inc. on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/FosteringChangeMA/.

Congratulations, Murdock Teams!

Congratulations to Murdock High School's Varsity Cheerleaders for placing 4th in the state at the State cheering competition held in Woprcester on Sunday, November 21, 2021. Great job, team! Congratulations also to Coach Katie McBrine and her assistant, Sammi Dill. The team came a long way this season!
Photo courtesy of Murdock High School Athletic Department

Murdock Middle School Cross Country students were invited to run at the Eastbay Cross Country Northeast Regional at Van Cortlandt Park in New York City on November 27, 2021. Congratulations to those who ran!
Photos courtesy of Murdock Middle High School Athletic Department

Mount Wachusett Community College Receives Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 907 Donation

GARDNER, MA - December 3, 2021 - Members of the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 907 visited the Mount Wachusett Community College Gardner campus on Wednesday, December 1, 2021 to deliver their annual donation to the MWCC Foundation in support of veteran students.

"I am so grateful for the generous donation from Chapter 907 of the Vietnam Veterans of America. Chapter 907 has been supporting Mount Wachusett Community College veterans for over 16 years," stated Robert Mayer, MWCC Director of Veterans Services. "This has continued despite the limitations and obstacles in the past two years of their normal fundraising endeavors. It is wonderful that a much older generation of veterans is so committed to the success of the current generation."

The Veterans Memorial Scholarship was established to assist student veterans and ensure that their service and sacrifices will not be forgotten. Scholarship funds are awarded to new or returning full-time students who were honorably discharged from the U.S. Armed Forces or are currently serving in the Reserves or National Guard.

Donations to the North Central Chapter 907 Vietnam Veterans of America can be sent to PO Box 595, Gardner, MA 01440. Visit their website at vietnamveterans907.com.