Volunteer opportunity for Pingree students and families - November 22

On Saturday, November 22 The Open Door (one of Pingree's partnering service organizations) is holding their annual Thanksgiving Food Drive and Thanksgiving Meal Distribution.

In 2013, the Open Door collected 13,424 pounds of food and distributed 1,773 meal baskets, providing 10,638 meals. This year, they will need over 100 volunteers to support the Cape Ann community. 

Here are the details:

Thanksgiving Food Drive: Saturday, November 22nd 

Shifts: 9am-12pm or 12pm-3pm

Locations: Market Basket, Shaw's, Stop and Shop (all in Gloucester)

Description: Promote the food drive to grocery store customers and help sort food donations​

Shift: 3:30 - 4:30 

Location: The Open Door, 28 Emmerson Ave., Gloucester

Description: Unload food donations from all three grocery stores

Thanksgiving Meal Distribution: Saturday, November 22nd 

Shifts: 9am-12pm or 12pm-3pm

Location: The Open Door, 28 Emmerson Ave., Gloucester
Description: Help distribute holiday meal baskets (bags with potatoes, apples, carrots, stuffing, biscuit mix, turkey, etc) to families and individuals participating in the program 

If you are available to help, please email Beth Klinefelter, Open Door's volunteer coordinator (beth@foodpantry.org), and let her know which shift (9-12, 12-3, OR 3:30-4:30), and which event (food drive OR meal distribution) you would prefer. 

Volunteer to support the Toy Drive!

This year Pingree is happy to announce that part of the profits made at the Thanksgiving Day football game concession stand will be set aside to support the purchasing of new, high-quality toys for families on the North Shore. If you are interested in volunteering at the concession stand, please sign up for an hour long shift here. 

Improvisation!

In the absence of a ladder, Jacqui Van Stry '18 and Lauren Menzie '16 use teamwork! 

Boston Serve a Paint-covered Success!

Pingree's Boston Serve Team (Ryan Van Stry '16, Rachel Foster '16, Kasja Kirby '17, Hannah Wilson '17, Jacqui Van Stry '18, Alyssa Kent '18, Iria Llausi from Barcelona, and group leaders Niki Bothwick '16 and Lauren Menzie '16) arrived at the Haley Pilot School in Roslindale ready for a day of service as part of EPIC's annual day of service.

EPIC Service Warriors is a community service and education program for youth with disabilities from the ages of 16-23. Over the year-long program EPIC Service Warriors meet as a team to complete service projects all over Boston. Founded on the principles of Civil Rights era disability rights activists, EPIC is equipping a new generation of leaders, young people with disabilities, to celebrate their civil rights by making a lasting impact on their communities. (Language from the EPIC website.)

Back row L to R: Jose, Alyssa, Ryan, Niki, Rachel, Iria, Ms. McCoy
Front row L to R: Hannah, Lauren, Caroline, Kasja, Jacqui

With EPIC Service Warriors Jose and Caroline at the helm, "Team 6" repainted a long hallway at the school... and I don't mind saying that it looked pretty good when it was finished!

We had a wonderful time, and wish to express our gratitude to the Haley Pilot School, Jeff Lafata, EPIC, Mr. Taft, and all of our sponsors.

EPIC set a fundraising goal of $20,000. When we left Haley Pilot School, they had raised just over $17,000. If you would like to help us reach that goal, please visit our fundraising page. 

Support Pingree & Boston Serve

On Saturday, November 8 a group of Pingree students will travel to Boston to participate in a day of service sponsored by EPIC (Empowering People for Inclusive Communities). This event is both a service opportunity and a fundraiser. In the spirit of a Walk-a-Thon we will ask for donations, but instead of walking, we will be rejuvenating the Haley Pilot School in Roslindale.

We have set a $1000 goal for our team, and would greatly appreciate any sponsorship that people are able to give.

To donate, please visit our team's webpage.

Thank you!