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Denise Chesbro, Amari Smith, Marley Miner, Ryleigh Rathbun, Stephen Roy, Martin McEvoy, and Tina Samson posed for a photo Tuesday at the school.

Abbott Memorial Students Raise Money For Veterans

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff
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FLORIDA, Mass. — The Abbott Memorial School community collected $1,120.50 in change for the Northern Berkshire Veterans Food Pantry.
 
"When I got the phone call from the school I had tears in my eyes,"  Tina Samson, veterans services administrative assistant, said. "To think these young students could think of the veterans and do something like this is absolutely amazing."
 
The project was led by eighth-graders Marley Miner, Ryleigh Rathbun and Amari Smith, who are part of Project 351, an independent nonprofit organization that fosters youth-led service by engaging ambassadors from each of Massachusetts' 351 cities and towns.
 
Change jars were left in each classroom. Collections were counted at the end of the day.
 
"At the end of the day, we would count whatever was collected. We kept doing that for like two weeks," Rathbun said. "... This community is really helpful and they like to help each other."
 
Second-grade teacher, assistant principal and Project 351 coordinator Denise Chesbro said this is the first time the group has worked with North County Veterans office in North Adams.
 
"These young ladies thought that that was a worthy cause," she said. "They wanted to do something and encourage the school community to contribute."
 
Veterans Agent Stephen Roy said he was amazed the school raised so much money in two weeks. He added that the funds will go toward resources that are often harder to acquire, like toiletries. 
 
"This will go towards items that we don't necessarily get from other resources like toiletries, shampoos, toothpaste, things as simple as paper towels," Roy said. "Things like that can go a long way and really help out. We can't provide everything, but we can certainly help lessen the sting at the cash register."
 
He added that it also helps get the word out about the food bank in the North Adams City Hall that has been expanded to now include clothing. 
 
"We can't go out and get a bulletin board … and this helps get the word out," he said. "People realize that there are resources for veterans and their survivors in need. That goes a long way."
 
Principal Martin McEvoy Jr. said the Project 351 students set the right example for the rest of the student body.
 
"We are very proud of these three ambassadors. They do so much to engage, not only the school community but the greater community," he said. "They are really setting a great example for the rest of the students, their selflessness, and their leadership."
 
The Veterans Services Department plans to throw a pizza party for the school to show its thanks.

Tags: Gabriel Abbott School,   project 351,   veterans,   

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Clarksburg Sees Race for Select Board Seat

CLARKSBURG, Mass. — The town will see a three-way race for a seat on the Select Board in May. 
 
Colton Andrews, Seth Alexander and Bryana Malloy returned papers by Wednesday's deadline to run for the three-year term vacated by Jeffrey Levanos. 
 
Andrews ran unsuccessfully for School Committee and is former chairman of the North Adams Housing Authority, on which he was a union representative. He is also president of the Pioneer Valley Building Trades Council.
 
Malloy and Alexander are both newcomers to campaigning. Malloy is manager of industrial relations for the Berkshire Workforce Board and Alexander is a resident of Gates Avenue. 
 
Alexander also returned papers for several other offices, including School Committee, moderator, library trustee and the five-year seat on the Planning Board. He took out papers for War Memorial trustee and tree warden but did not return them and withdrew a run for Board of Health. 
 
He will face off in the three-year School Committee seat against incumbent Cynthia Brule, who is running for her third term, and fellow newcomer Bonnie Cunningham for library trustee. 
 
Incumbent Ronald Boucher took out papers for a one-year term as moderator but did not return them. He was appointed by affirmation in 2021 when no won ran and accepted the post again last year as a write-in.
 
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