Photo By SPENSER R. HASAK
Nelson Barrios, left, handing donation bags to David Barrios as they are passed along a chain of students.
By JUSTIN BARRASSO
LYNN – Despite living in a world filled with darkness, the generosity of the students at Lynn Tech have lit up the city.
The Tech students raised $4,680 for My Brother’s Table in Lynn to help feed the homeless and hungry, as well as donated 700 care packages – filled with a minimum of ten items, including socks, sweaters, gloves, and a card from Tech students wishing the recipient a “warm” season’s greetings – to the Lynn Shelter Association.
“I am proud beyond words of our students and staff for their good will and generosity to the community,” said Tech principal Robert Buontempo after Thursday’s fundraiser. “This past week has been full of holiday spirit. I think it makes everyone reflect on what is really important in life, and the most impressive part has been the strong sense of purpose and how readily everyone came together to make this drive successful.”
Students were asked to raise $25 by collecting $1 donations from 25 people and collect care packages throughout the month of December, and the “#ThankYourLuckyStars” fundraising event was spearheaded by Tech senior Nelson Barrios.
“The Lynn community is why I’m here,” said the 17-year-old Barrios. “It’s helped me grow, so I really want to give back.”
All of the students at Tech are members of SkillsUSA, which is a vocational leadership program focused on community service. Barrios serves as president of the Tech chapter. His leadership and commitment to serve, said Tech teacher and SkillsUSA advisor Jason McCuish, are qualities that have allowed Tech’s program to receive national awards of excellence.
“Nelson looked at me two years ago and said, ‘I want to make a difference in the world,’” said McCuish. “That’s when I knew I had the right kid. He has a heart of gold.”
Barrios said he is proud to serve as a leader at Tech, and he remains grateful for the support from those around him, including McCuish.
“Mr. McCuish saw something in me, and now I’m starting to run all these events,” said Barrios. “Even in my roughest times, when I’ve been unfocused, he’s been there pushing me along, telling me to not fall back. Everything I’ve been able to accomplish is because of him.”
In addition to the money, Barrios also wants to raise awareness.
“The goal is to bring awareness to hunger, homelessness, and substance abuse,” said Barrios. “A lot of people are affected by substance abuse. Many people are dying because of overdoses, and it’s a huge epidemic here in Lynn. The money we raised today is going to help the people suffering from substance abuse, and hopefully they know that there are people who care about them.”
My Brother’s Table executive director Dianne Kuzia Hills greatly appreciated the donations and the time of those who volunteered.
“I was really moved by how much money the students at Tech were able to raise for us,” said Kuzia Hills. “A fair number of the ones who have volunteered with us have seen neighbors and family members eating at the table, so there is a particular poignancy for some of the kids.
“It’s not just an idea of helping someone who is hungry – they know real people whose circumstances are really difficult and come here to eat. These students are very sophisticated and understanding about how difficult life is for many people, and you can see it in the way they’re so enthusiastically helpful to the community. They’re really woven into Lynn in a beautiful way.”
In addition to the raising funds and awareness for My Brother’s Table, the Tech students also donated the 700 care packages to the Lynn Shelter Association.
“The Lynn Shelter Association told us that, if we could donate 500 pairs of socks, that would make their winter and their Christmas,” said Barrios. “We set a goal that we would donate over 1,000 socks, and we did, as more than 2,000 socks were donated.”
For Barrios and the entire student body at Lynn Tech, there is no better time to give than the present.
“I’ve always wanted to help people,” said Barrios. “I feel like we’re accomplishing that goal, but we wouldn’t be able to do it without the support of the people around us.”
Justin Barrasso can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @JustinBarrasso.
