Lyndon Community Donates Over $2,300 to Children's Hospital Boston in Memory of 9/11

The community today announced it had raised $2,347.25 for Children's Hospital Boston to cap off its week-long Sept. 11 tenth-anniversary fundraiser.

The donation will be made in the name of the Gerard Dewan Memorial Fund. , is the brother of Lyndon School secretary Maureen Gilligan and the uncle of teacher Sheila Smith.

"I'd like to thank everyone from the bottom of our hearts," said Gilligan. "We've been overwhelmed by the support of the school and of the community over the last 10 years.

"Our family thanks you and I'm sure Children's Hospital will be just delighted."

The figure was announced at the school year's opening assembly. Students and faculty were encouraged to wear red, white and blue in memory of the victims of the 2001 terrorist attacks. Parents, teachers, administrators, and students all donated.

Eighth-graders Isabel Massey and Michael Martinez presented Gilligan with the check. Fourth-graders Grace, Patrick and Leslie led the school in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Eighth-grader Genesis Villar recited a poem in memory of the attacks that was found online. The poem was titled "United We Stand."

"'This event did not break apart the USA,'" read Villar. "'Because we are closer and closer to each other every day.'"

The school collected donations throughout the week in anticipation of the assembly.