Local Teachers Rally Help for Tornado Victims

Two Westborough athletics instructors rallied volunteers to help supply the loss of gym equipment in tornado ravaged Monson. Balls, cones, hats, and pinnies were among items donated by the Westborough Public Schools and a number of other local organizations.

According to Johanna DiCarlo, director of athletics at Westborough Public Schools for the past 4 years, "(Monson's) rec department was completely wiped out by the tornado. They had a shed filled with athletic equipment in the middle of town that was taken out and moved about a 100 yards away to a river."

Roger Anderson, a physical education teacher at the (WHS) offered to drive his big red truck filled with athletic equipment to Monson. He and DiCarlo drove there on Friday, June 17.

DiCarlo said, "I’ve known Monson's athletic director Sarah Shaw for a few years. When the storm hit, I was thinking about her and her school. I wondered what sort of damage they suffered, and if there was anything that they needed."

Soon after, DiCarlo received an e-mail from the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association about Monson. According to DiCarlo, the email stated that Monson High School was untouched, but the community had suffered a lot of loss.

DiCarlo then contacted Shaw to find out what Monson needed. She mobilized once she heard that the rec department's equipment was wiped out.

As always, DiCarlo said that Westborough responded to her request for help. Soon donations from the WHS were supplemented by donations from:

• Westborough's Recreation Department (basketball equipment– balls cones, pinnies)
• Westborough Girls Lacrosse
• Best Soccer – (private company owned by Paul Mumby, a physical education teacher at )
• Marlborough High School and the Bromfield School – (schools within Midland-Wachusett League) 
• Marlborough Youth Baseball Association– (hats and softballs, score books)

After dropping off the gear, DiCarlo and Anderson toured the area with Monson's Sarah Shaw. DiCarlo said, "We drove about two miles from the center of town and saw the path where the tornado came through two big hills...  You could see buildings severely affected. In one small neighborhood, a couple of houses were toppled over. They've done a lot of clean up already."

DiCarlo continued, "I remember talking to Sarah on the ride back from seeing the area. As devastating as it is, you can really feel the community that has come together. It must be remarkable to work with the community that’s always been close but is now even closer. Reflecting here in Westborough, I’ve noticed that the minute that I ask someone from help, I get responses from all over."

According to DiCarlo, the Monson schools are working hard to end the year as normally as possible. They were holding an award ceremony the day that she and Anderson made their trip.

Roger Anderson added, "The devastation was awe inspiring. Any help that we can give is definitely worth it. It felt good to help. They have a lot of work to do. They were very appreciative."

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