Teen Launches Nonprofit to Honor Veterans

Information courtesy of Debbi Silverman.

If you were given one day and $1,000 to make a difference in your community, what would you do? This was the writing assignment Max Silverman tackled as a freshman at last fall. As a football player, Max wrote about harnessing the spirit of a local football game to honor members of the Westborough community currently serving in the military. Max also wrote about honoring their families and veterans of previous wars. 

“These men and women sacrifice every day for me and the freedoms I have, so I want to honor their service and selflessness by giving back,” he said.

Max wrote about collecting supplies for the troops overseas, everything from baby wipes which serve as substitutes for showers to plastic bags to keep the sand and bugs out of the soldiers’ boots.

This fall, Max turned his paper into reality by launching Touchdown for America. Supplies, ranging from toothpaste and toothbrushes to heavy duty Velcro, are being collected at every home football game at Westborough High School. A full list of requested supplies can be found on the Touchdown for America website.

Max is working with other Westborough High School organizations to collect supplies. In addition, he has been working with Westborough organizations, such as In Your Shoes and Westborough Athletic Boosters Association, to generate funds to purchase international calling cards for the troops, plus gift cards to give to their families in light of the holidays being around the corner. 

“I want our service men and women to know that our community is thinking of them and their families. I want them to know that we appreciate what they are doing for me and for us,” he said.

On Saturday, Nov. 12, the day after Veterans Day, Westborough High School’s varsity football team will be playing Auburn High School at 1 p.m. at the Joe Mewhiney Field at Westborough High School. This game will be the Touchdown for America game. Current servicemen and servicewomen, veterans and their families will be honored during the game’s half-time program. These men and women will not be charged admission to this game. All supplies, calling cards and gift cards will be distributed the week after the game.

For more information, contact Max Silverman at 508-836-8983 or max@touchdownforamerica.org.

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