Letters to the Editor: Thank You For Helping With Leak Raking Event

Each year I begin this letter by saying how I would like to thank the many people in this community who volunteer for this wonderful event that helps so many in our community! I strive to put into words my deep appreciation to those who continually step up to support our senior citizens and also show our “future”, the students in Mansfield, the sense of “community” and how their helping means so much! Though the words seem so little I do truly want to express to you my sincerest gratitude to those who came out and helped our Annual Leaf Raking Event to another successful year.

This is a wonderful collaboration between the students of Mansfield, DPW, Police Department and landscapers in town. It not only helped out the senior citizens in Mansfield but gave the students a chance to see how their volunteering helps out and hopefully gives them that experience to want them to continue with this sense of community that is so important.

For many years now Kevin Guerrini, Sean Flynn and Pete Presentato volunteer their machinery and time out of a very busy part of their season to help make this program the success it is. Their contribution I believe is what makes this annual adventure a good reason why we have so many volunteers returning ~ it makes raking the yards that much easier to do. The yards were done in no time.

The homes of senior citizens were raked by students of the Mansfield Public School with the assistance of parents and coaches from the schools along with volunteers from the Mansfield Police Department.

I would like to give a special thank you to School Resource Officer Anthony Lattanzio who helped with reaching out to his fellow officers to help out once again with our event. I know their presence makes a huge impression with the students and without their support we would struggle to get this event done ~ again kudos for repeatedly stepping up and showing what a wonderful group of men and women we have within our police department who serve this community. Lt Samuel F. Thompson Jr, Lt. Frank Archer, Lt. Tracey A. Juda , Sgt. Jeff Bombard, Officers Kenneth Wright, Derek McCune, Greg Martell, Robert Pierce and Greg Kennedy who volunteered their time with the students – a HUGE thank you for everything you do.

I would also like to thank the Council on Aging Gale Farrugia and Louise Baroncelli along with DPW’s Mark Cook for their assistance with scheduling the seniors’ homes and scheduling with the green for the landscapers. Your support makes our day run so smoothly.

Along with the students who volunteered, coaches from some of the high schools sports teams helped out which include: Cross Country’s Girls coach and Jordan Jackson teacher Derek Ellis, Boys Soccer Coaches Bruce Bouck and Bobby Introini along with high school faculty member and Girls Soccer Coach Kevin Smith, Qualters Middle School teachers and Girls Soccer Coaches Robert MacDonald-Smith and Jamie Coyne. Volleyball coach and high school teacher Melissa Heeden, and long term sub Ken Macie. A very special welcome and thank you to Mary Casale who helped out this year with her group of band members from the middle school! Their yard was a challenging one and they not only rose to the occasion but even offered to return next year J

I would like to bring attention to the many parents and adult volunteers who also helped in this worthy project: Sheryl Iandoli, Linda Negus, Alex Thompson, Kelly Kemp, Sue Rivard, Scott Peterson, Terri Haradon, and Joanne Krouskos.

I know I did not name every adult volunteer who made this event a wonderful experience, so please please forgive me if I left out your name! As you can see there are so many wonderful people to thank for volunteering their time and making the project a huge success.

Regards,

Donna Harrington
Leaf Raking Coordinator
Mansfield MA 02048

Letters to the Editor can be sent to Dan Libon at Dan.Libon@patch.com.