Salute to Framingham To Honor Lee Mencoboni and Bob Merusi

Originally posted at 1:35 p.m. on Jan. 20. Updated for Wednesday’s newsletter.

***

In 1992, the Salute to Framingham was created to honor individuals for their outstanding commitment and service to Framingham’s youth. These honorees join a select group of people who have made a real difference in the lives of the youth of Framingham.

On Thursday, March 26, the Salute to Framingham will honor Lee Mencoboni and Bob Merusi.

Lee Mencoboni, a lifelong Framingham resident and owner of La Cantina Italiana Restaurant, has been helping the youth of Framingham by addressing the problem of childhood hunger. In Framingham, there are many families who fall outside the free and reduced lunch program limits, yet still face financial difficulties. Working with school administrators, Mencoboni established the La Cantina Italiana Restaurant Scholarship which provides financial aid in the form of reimbursements to the Framingham School Food Services Department to cover the cost of elementary school lunches for deserving families.

Now in its fourth year, Mencoboni has helped countless families be able to provide school meals for their elementary youth through the La Cantina Italiana Restaurant Scholarship.

Because Framingham Public Schools Food Services will never deny a child a meal, there is often a significant budget deficit created by unpaid student meals. Recognizing that the needs of many families were not being met, in 2012, Mencoboni met with school administrators to brainstorm ideas on how to provide meals for these families, while helping reduce the deficit. Out of this brainstorming came the 50/50 Program, which was designed for families who could contribute something toward their breakfast or lunch, but afford the entire full meal. The 50/50 Program, funded by Mencoboni, matches dollar for dollar whatever the student can pay for breakfast or lunch, thus giving the students of Framingham access to school meals, and reducing the deficit for the Food Services department.

Bob Merusi is the former Director of the Framingham Parks and Recreation Department. His vision, passion, and perseverance have vastly improved the quality of life for the youth of Framingham.

Merusi always felt that his job was to provide the people of Framingham with the highest quality of parks and recreational activities that the department was capable of providing.

Born and raised in Framingham, Merusi spent his entire career working to deliver that to every resident of Framingham. Major accomplishments include transforming a former State Hospital to the Town’s “central park” known to all as Cushing Memorial Park and renovating the old Bowditch Football Stadium to a state of the art Athletic and Cultural Complex.

Merusi not only focused on park management but also the acquisition and construction of a new Senior Center, acquisition of the land from the state for the development of Victory Field, as well as many renovations to Loring Skating Arena. Merusi has been a member of numerous town committees, both appointed or as an elected official, including Town Meeting Member, school committee member for the public school district and the local vocational school, and a member of the Framingham Housing Authority Board. His accomplishments have been achieved by developing public confidence and building relationships within the community.

In addition to these honorees, the Salute also recognizes Framingham teachers and staff who make each day “special” in our public schools. The event also acknowledges graduating Framingham High students who positively impact the school community.

The Salute to Framingham will take place on Thursday, March 26, at 6 p.m. at the Sheraton Framingham Hotel Ballroom.

To purchase tickets, or for more information about the Salute to Framingham, please visit www.salute-to-framingham.com.

All proceeds from the Salute to Framingham benefit the Framingham High School Foundation which supports the extracurricular activities, arts, and athletics at Framingham High.