LYNN — A local developer seeking to transform the former Garelick Farms site on the Lynnway visited the Lynn Youth Street Outreach Advocacy office Wednesday to announce plans to distribute $22,500 to organizations that serve the city’s youth.
Robert Maloney, vice president of A.W. Perry, a Boston-based real estate firm, plans to donate funds to a number of organizations including Lynn Youth Street Outreach Advocacy (LYSOA), Stop the Violence, Diverse People United, the New Lynn Coalition food program, Shoe City Basketball, Big Tyme Ballers, Protect our Streets, Love Your Next Door Neighbors Foundation, Lynn Boys Club, the SkillsUSA chapter at Lynn Technical Vocational Institute and the Demakes Family YMCA.
The real estate firm owns the Lynn Business Park on the Lynnway, but has long-term plans to transform the former Garelick Farms site into a larger, mixed-use development. A.W. Perry purchased the 17-acre property in January 2021.
The community-based agreement to donate the funds resulted from talks between Maloney and Ward 6 Councilor Fred Hogan, who represents the area. Hogan said Maloney reached out wanting to do something to help the community. Maloney added that he is all about taking care of organizations and people in Lynn who work hard to make the city better.
Each organization is receiving a minimum of $1,000.
“All of these organizations do an awesome job in Lynn and are everywhere,” Hogan said. “Everyone knows we all came from somewhere to get somewhere, and we need programs like LYSOA, Lynn Tech basketball and Diverse People United to get us through.”
Maloney said the Lynn Business Park location on the Lynnway is A.W. Perry’s first investment in the city, which they are “ecstatic” about.
“I think Lynn is a terrific community,” Maloney said. “I think what you’re all doing is just terrific work.”
He praised the organizations for their work with city youth, distributing food and supplies to those in need and for pushing through the past year in a pandemic.
Maloney said the donations made on Wednesday are a tiny gesture, one he said would not be the company’s last.
“We believe in giving back to the communities in which we work and I’m looking forward to seeing you all again,” Maloney said. “I appreciate, and I thank you for all of the work you are doing in the community. Making sure we are taking care of the most vulnerable in our society is so important.”
Allysha Dunnigan can be reached at [email protected].
