Medfield's Middle School KINDNESS CLUB Hosts Successful Donation Drive

Medfield’s Thomas Blake Middle School's Kindness Club Hosts Successful Thomas Upham House Donation Drive

Superintendent Jeffrey J. Marsden and Thomas Blake Middle School Principal Nat Vaughn are pleased to share that students hosted a successful donation drive for residents of the
Thomas Upham House on Dec. 19.

The Thomas Upham House in Medfield is a rehabilitative and long-term care assisted living home for elderly individuals. Through a partnership with the Thomas Blake Middle School's Kindness Club, students were each asked to bring a toiletry item to fill bags, which were later delivered to residents.

All students participated, and 40 groups filled bags with toiletry items and decorated them with kind messages. By the end of the drive, over 600 items were collected.

"Our students had an opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of residents at the Thomas Upham House, while also brightening their days with positive messages," Kindness Club
Coordinator Marissa Gumas said. "The students enjoyed this opportunity to directly give back to a group in need while also spreading some holiday cheer in the process."

This is the first donation drive organized by the Kindness Club for the Thomas Upham House. The Kindness Club meets every other Friday morning from 7:15-7:35 a.m., and all students are
welcome to join. At each meeting, students discuss ways to give back to the community and organize community service opportunities. The student-driven initiative also works to spread acts of kindness, both big and small, to Blake Middle School. On Nov. 12 - 15, students
participated in "Kindness Week" through the club, spreading positive "thank you" messages to each other.

"I thank all of our middle schoolers for their help in making an impact for our local community," Principal Nat Vaughn said. "The Kindness Club presents achievable ways for students to spread acts of service, and I'm proud that all were able to contribute to this opportunity while enjoying the process."