Students Make A Difference

The Blanchard community is a generous one.  The students (and staff and parents) participate in food drives such as the Souper Bowl in which the food goes to the Acton Pantry or Loaves and Fishes, clothing drives such as Coats for Kids and Crates to Crayolas and the Mitten Tree, in which the hats and mittens collected are donated to the Acton Food Pantry.  Primarily, our charity drives focus on the Acton-Boxborough community.  However, when students at Blanchard are affected, we extend our reach.  Every year, a Blood drive is conducted in honor of a former student, Ashley Ge.  In the last few years, we have supported the Decibels Foundation that the Dunning family founded.  The Decibels Foundation provides services for Early Intervention programs and resources for parents and schools.  The primary fundraiser for the Decibels Foundation is Stink Week, in which students will wear the same T-Shirt for a week to raise awareness of hearing loss as well as to raise money.

This week, I'd like to call attention to the sixth grade students who are learning CPR.  They were an enthusiastic group, eager to take on the responsibility of learning how to save a life.

In addition, I want to recognize Wendy Barrett who donated all of her birthday toys to the Toys for Tots organization because she thought it was a good thing to do.  Below, she is shown delivering her toys to the organization.   We are all proud of you, Wendy!

I would also like to recognize Jack Dunning and Thomas Walsh who have coordinated all the activities in the school for Stink Week for the past two years.  In 2011, the Blanchard Memorial School community received the Classy Award, given to nonprofit organizations for outstanding contributions in fundraising.   Thomas is also involved with fundraising for ALS.  His family participates on a charity walk every year and he has raised money through other means, such as a lemonade stand.

It isn't surprising that elementary school students are so thoughtful and reflective about the world, but it is nice to recognize students for their efforts.   If you know of a Blanchard student who is doing  something that makes a difference, please let me know.

Sixth Grade Students Talking about CPR Training with Fox News

Thomas Walsh and Jack Dunning: Fundraisers for the Decibels Foundation

Wendy Barrett and Toys for Tots