Fitchburg

Four Twin Cities students awarded Greater Worcester Community Foundation scholarships

October 6, 2022 by pkzadmin

Four students from the Twin Cities area are included in a list of over 400 students receiving 2022 scholarships from the Greater Worcester Community Foundation.

The scholarships are awarded to high school seniors who are going onto college. Fitchburg High School graduate Isa Jackymora received the Wallace D. and Dorothy M. Andrews Scholarship, Sizer School graduate Roman Roy was awarded the Leonard F. Leamy Scholarship, and Leominster High School graduates Lucas Gallo and Nora Swaine also received scholarships.

According to a press release it took 80 volunteers to comb through over 700 scholarship applications but by the end of the 2022 school year, 401 students received news they had been approved for a scholarship award. Worcester based GWCF gave out 439 awards in total this year through its scholarship program, a small piece of the $14.04 million total given to over 9,000 students since its inception in 1978.

Sizer School graduate Roman Roy was awarded the Leonard F. Leamy Scholarship from the Greater Worcester Community Foundation. (COURTESY GREATER WORCESTER COMMUNITY FOUNDATION)

The press release stated that the GWCF scholarship program is about paying it forward. Most scholarship recipients never meet the donors who start the funds, but their college aspirations are being met by those who believe in the future of Worcester County.

For instance, the William J. Short Scholarship for Future Business and Civic Leaders named after a man who led the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce for 25 years helped Jacob Vázquez, the first college graduate in his family, to attend Assumption University. His experience brought him full circle, as Vázquez is now the foundation’s scholarship philanthropy officer.

“The scholarship program isn’t just about giving money towards a college diploma, it’s about investing in the future of our city,” Vázquez said. “The hope is that many of these students stay in Central Massachusetts and improve their families lives, their communities, their hometowns, and the entire region.”

Recipients throughout Worcester County were selected through a highly competitive process on the basis of merit, financial need, and special criteria established by the individual funds as stated in the press release. New awardees hail from all over Greater Worcester County with 68% of them attending college across Massachusetts.

Jackymora is attending Northeastern University in Boston majoring in bioengineering and biochemistry and enjoys music and has a passion for saxophone. Roy played basketball and participated in cross country in high school and is now at Boston College majoring in mathematics.

Talia Smith, a Charles Hugo Community Service Awardee who graduated from the Massachusetts Academy of Math & Science, stated in the press release that she understands the value of paying it forward.

“I can see how what one person does greatly affects those around them, and I will do everything that I can to make my contributions generous and positive,” said Smith, who is majoring in biophysics at the University of Pennsylvania.

Lucas Gallo, a lover of basketball, soccer and football is studying Sports Management at Temple University. Nora Swaine, an editor for her high school newspaper and class of 2022 president at Leominster High School is studying Public Relations at Suffolk University.

College-bound high school seniors can be considered for multiple scholarship opportunities through the foundation’s single online application, with the next application cycle opening January 2023. For more information email Jacob Vázquez at jvazquez@greaterworcester.org or visit greaterworcester.org.

Applewild School cuts the ribbon on three newly renovated spaces

October 6, 2022 by pkzadmin

FITCHBURG — On Monday, Applewild School celebrated a ribbon cutting for the opening of three renovated spaces in front of students in grades K-9, current and former trustees, faculty, staff, alumni families and Mayor Stephen DiNatale.

Head of School Amy Jolly shared the exciting changes including the expansion of Applewild’s preschool program offerings with a recently completed toddler room and toddler playground for children as young as 18 months old.

Thanks to generous donors, Applewild School renovated the Ansin building, including the addition of new science labs and a makerspace classroom. The complete renovation of a View Street residence lets the school open a second dorm to enhance the experience for Applewild’s residential students and staff.

The student Appleseed Chorus shared a song with the crowd and Jolly thanked the donors who helped to make these three projects a reality, as well as their wonderful general contractor Walter Bennet.

After sharing remarks at the event, DiNatale presented Applewild School with an official citation from the city celebrating the opening of the Applewild School View Street Dorm, expressing best wishes and good fortune to the students of Applewild School.

Applewild School has served students from the Nashoba Valley and the surrounding region since 1957 and currently has two campuses in Fitchburg and Devens.

Fitchburg’s Emanuel Lutheran Church gathers items for children in Cambodia

October 5, 2022 by pkzadmin

FITCHBURG — Pastor Daniel Spigelmyer Jr. described the scene as “holy chaos” during the recent annual Homecoming Sunday at Emanuel Lutheran Church, but it was exactly what the congregation wanted.

Emmanuel Lutheran Church Pastor Daniel Spigelmyer Jr. blessed the items collected for disabled children in Cambodia through the Fitchburg congregation's 'God's Work. Our Hands' service project during the Sept. 25 Homecoming Sunday worship service with the help of the church children before they were packed up for shipment. (COURTESY CAROL FITZGERALD) — Emmanuel Lutheran Church Pastor Daniel Spigelmyer Jr. blessed the items collected for disabled children in Cambodia through the Fitchburg congregation’s ‘God’s Work. Our Hands’ service project during the Sept. 25 Homecoming Sunday worship service with the help of the church children before they were packed up for shipment. (COURTESY CAROL FITZGERALD)

“The centerpiece of the day was the culmination of a summer’s long outreach project collecting hygiene items for children with disabilities in Cambodia,” Spigelmyer said of the congregation’s ongoing dedication to giving back.

Sept. 25 began with a morning worship service at the Fitchburg church “celebrating who the congregation is, disciples of Jesus freed by God’s love serve other people,” Spigelmyer said.

In his sermon that day, the church leader reminded the congregation of the good work happening at Emanuel.

“In this place, God is transforming lives,” he said. “In this place, God’s work is done with our hands.”

The festive worship service and sermon were meant to motivate the congregation for a cookout potluck lunch that ended with work on the outreach project.

“It was a really nice day,” Emanuel Outreach Committee member Judy Normandin said. “Motivation, enthusiasm, and goodwill were evident with everyone, and Pastor Daniel’s sermon was a perfect partner to our project.”

The John Fitch Highway church’s service project is part of a wider service effort called “God’s Work. Our Hands,” an annual Evangelical Lutheran Church in America denomination-wide effort aimed to “strengthen congregations’ relationships with God, nurture relationships with each other, and create a strong presence characterized by loving, liberated service within their communities,” Spigelmyer noted.

Earlier in the year the congregation identified Safe Haven Medical Outreach in Siem Reap, Cambodia as an organization they wanted to work with for their “God’s Work. Our Hands” project.

Safe Haven’s mission is to provide intervention and support for children with disabilities and medical issues in Cambodia and their work provides access to medical and therapeutic resources necessary for leading healthy lives and helping the youth reaching their full potential and highest level of personal independence.

“Heather Connell, founder and executive director for Safe Haven, is a member of Emanuel, so the choice was obvious,” Spigelmyer shared.

Emanuel members collected hygiene items for Safe Haven throughout the summer and placed them around the altar in the church sanctuary, including toothpaste, toothbrushes, dental floss, chewable vitamins and acetaminophen, thermometers, band aids, and more. The items collected were specifically identified by Safe Haven as greatly needed and the congregation responded in force.

Emanuel Lutheran Church members packed up collected hygiene items for children in Cambodia following the church's Sept. 25 Homecoming Sunday worship service. (COURTESY MARTHA TANGNEY) — Emanuel Lutheran Church members packed up collected hygiene items for children in Cambodia following the church’s Sept. 25 Homecoming Sunday worship service. (COURTESY MARTHA TANGNEY)

Spigelmyer blessed the items during the homecoming worship service with the help of the church children before they were packed up for shipment to Cambodia following the service.

“Our work and funding needs primarily revolve around providing clinical services,” Connell said. “People usually ask me if things like clothing, school supplies, or shoes are useful, but they really are far more expensive and difficult to bring over and they are items easily and inexpensively available in Cambodia already.”

The congregation also partnered with Thrivent for their “God’s Work. Our Hands Project,” a nonprofit financial services organization that provides volunteer services to churches, charitable organizations, and schools, and directly supports outreach programs, volunteer efforts, and charitable giving. They provided food for the cookout and helped with supplies for organizing the project.

“Thrivent saw an opportunity to partner with Emanuel to amplify the congregation’s service impact and strengthen partnerships both locally and globally,” Spigelmyer said.

He went on to say that the project was “organized bedlam” and that “it’s more important to have more people involved serving than making sure everything is done efficiently, like an assembly line. God shows up in the messiness.”

Church member Gail Stewart echoed his sentiments, saying “it was a bit chaotic but fun.” The congregation collected upwards of 500 hygiene items for Safe Haven, overflowing three storage bins with everything gathered.

“We have so much to give to kids in Cambodia,” Stewart said that day with pride.

Emanuel is a member congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, also known as the ELCA. The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with over 3 million members across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. The ELCA emphasizes God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ and has its roots in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.

Spigelmyer Jr. said their congregation welcomes everyone and anyone to join them as they “strive to live out God’s love in the community.”

“It’s this love, the love of God and of his Son Jesus that we want others to ‘Come and see!’ in this place, among us, lived out in, with, and through us,” he said, adding that the congregation “always has multiple ongoing outreach efforts happening as well as participating every year in the ‘God’s Work. Our Hands’ service effort.

“Serving is one of the basic acts of discipleship,” Emanuel member Paul Lieneck said.

Connell will take the items with her when she returns to Cambodia next, a trip she makes at least three times a year.

“Emanuel held strong during COVID and through a fire that destroyed our sanctuary,” congregation President Angie Hollenbeck said, referring to the 2020 fire. “We strived to protect our members and the community around us. Now we’re turning to giving back to those in need by doing things like ‘God’s Work. Our Hands.’”

Fitchburg, Unitil, to help small businesses with energy efficiency

October 3, 2022 by pkzadmin

FITCHBURG — Local natural gas and electricity provider Unitil has partnered with the city of Fitchburg to promote its “Main Street Initiative” from Oct. 4 to Oct. 7 for small businesses, as part of Energy Efficiency Day.

As an administrator of the Mass Save energy efficiency programs offered throughout the state, Unitil will conduct complimentary small business energy audits in targeted parts of Fitchburg in coordination with economic development teams in the city. The program seeks to conduct as many energy audits as possible over the four-day period.

“The timing for this latest round of ‘Main Streets’ Energy Efficiency Initiative outreach is ideal. Our local small businesses remain focused on their financial bottom line, and rising utility costs can be a real concern. We strongly encourage Fitchburg businesses to take full advantage of the current round of free energy audit walkthroughs being offered this fall,” Fitchburg Mayor Stephen DiNatale said in a press release.

Unitil has selected their vendor, AECOM, to conduct energy assessments. The AECOM energy specialists will look for ways a business can both save money and reduce their carbon output by using energy more efficiently. If a business decides to proceed with recommended energy improvements following an audit, they may qualify for enhanced rebates as high as 90 percent of the project cost.

“This is an important initiative that will help local businesses,” Unitil Media Relations Manager Alec O’Meara said. “These audits, with the follow up energy upgrades have a proven track record of making businesses more energy efficient, something that can lower overall energy costs and help local businesses thrive.”

Business owners who aren’t available during the days of the planned audits can schedule an appointment by contacting Irene Petruzzelli by phone at 617-371-4512 or email at irene.petruzzelli@aecom.com.

Oct. 5 is Energy Efficiency Day, which is a collaborative effort of regional and national organizations working to promote energy efficiency. More information can be found at energyefficiencyday.org or by visiting unitil.com.

Fitchburg childhood cancer survivor spreads cheer to cancer patients

October 2, 2022 by pkzadmin

FITCHBURG – You would never know by looking at spirited and robust 11-year-old Thiago Molinari that the young man with a big heart was fighting the battle of his life not too long ago.

The Sky View Middle School sixth grader was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, the most common childhood cancer, at just three years old. But, thanks to cutting-edge treatment at UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester, he celebrated five years cancer-free in June.

His parents, Nestor and Gabriela, surprised him when he woke up the morning of the recent monumental milestone with balloons and decorations, photos of him, a big stuffed monkey and a sign that read “Keep Calm I’m 5 years cancer free.”

“He has to go back once a year for blood work just to make sure he is still cancer-free,” his mother said of the continued treatment plan following the “milestone for our family.”

Coming up on eight years ago, when Thiago was discharged from the hospital just before the first Halloween (Thiago’s favorite holiday) following his diagnosis, the Child Life Program staff had decorated the floor for the occasion. Thiago asked his mom if the kids there would be able to go out for trick-or-treating and when she said no, he asked if they could bring them goodie bags.

11-year-old Fitchburg childhood cancer survivor Thiago Molinari has been bringing Halloween goodie bags, Thanksgiving meals, Christmas gifts, Easter baskets and more to cancer patients at UMass Medical Center in Worcester every year since he was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, the second most common childhood cancer, when he was just three years old. (COURTESY GABRIELA MOLINARI)

“That was the beginning,” Gabriela said of her son’s now ongoing tradition of brightening the lives of children and others fighting cancer at UMass. They asked their friends and family for donations for Halloween and then he decided to do something for Thanksgiving for those on the oncology unit at the hospital.

“Every year he brings 50 traditional Thanksgiving meals to the fifth floor to share with the families because we know how hard it is to be away from home without our loved ones,” his mother proudly said.

In addition, Thiago raises money to purchase Christmas toys for the children in the hospital. He asks for donations through his Team Thiago Facebook page and his old elementary school, Johnny Appleseed, would help him with the project every year.

“Don’t forget about the Easter baskets too,” Gabriela said. “This is every holiday only if we are allowed, because when COVID hit we had to stop for safety.”

As if that was not enough, the young, compassionate soul decided to start a lemonade stand at his home for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and to raise money for the Leukemia Lymphoma Society back in September 2016 and did the same the next couple of years. At the most recent lemonade stand on Sept. 17 he raised $1,174 between the sale and Venmo donations, while Mayor Stephen DiNatale, city fire and police personnel and many community members stopped by to support the endeavor.

Fitchburg Mayor Stephen DiNatale, Chief of Staff Natalia Oliver, and city fire and police personnel stopped by to support 11-year-old childhood cancer survivor Thiago Molinari's Sept. 17 lemonade stand fundraiser to benefit the annual UMass Cancer Walk and Run his family will once again be participating in. (COURTESY NATALIA OLIVER) — Fitchburg Mayor Stephen DiNatale, Chief of Staff Natalia Oliver, and city fire and police personnel stopped by to support 11-year-old childhood cancer survivor Thiago Molinari’s Sept. 17 lemonade stand fundraiser to benefit the annual UMass Cancer Walk and Run his family will once again be participating in. (COURTESY NATALIA OLIVER)

“It was such an awesome thing, he really is a smart guy,” said the DiNatale’s Chief of Staff Natalie Oliver, who knows the family and was also at the lemonade stand. “Thiago is very active in the community and always trying to help those who need it the most.”

The money raised will go towards Team Tiago’s fundraising efforts for the 24th annual UMass Cancer Walk and Run the family will be participating in this weekend, another yearly tradition of the family. Gabriela said they will walk with friends and family, “a small group but with lots of energy to kick cancer’s butt.”

When asked why her son is so passionate about raising awareness, funding for cancer research and, in particular, childhood cancer, she sent a video of Thiago explaining why.

“The reason why I’m trying to bring awareness to childhood cancer is because cancer is a super horrible thing that’s going on right now,” the bespectacled young man said emphatically. “I have so many friends that are still with cancer and they are going through treatment still. It is such a horrible thing to go through. And me as a cancer survivor I have gone through it, and I don’t want anybody else to go through it.

Gabriela Molinari and her son Thiago delivering Easter baskets to cancer patients at UMass Medical Center in Worcester, where the now 11-year-old childhood cancer survivor was treated for acute lymphoblastic leukemia. (COURTESY GABRIELA MOLINARI)

“That’s why I am doing lemonade stands and fundraisers to try and bring more awareness and more funds for childhood cancer because as you know the government only gives four percent of the money to childhood cancer. Four percent!” Thiago continued. “We need more, four percent for the children, we are the future and there can’t be any future without people, people like me. I survived and I want my friends to survive. That’s why I am trying to fund more money. I need your guys’ help to help me with my friends’ battle. Thank you guys so much.”

His parents, who are originally from Uruguay and have been married for ten years and together for “13 amazing years,” each moved to Fitchburg over 20 years ago and have two older children who live on their own. Gabriela said their youngest child took the money he raised from the first lemonade stand and “helped two families that the children were fighting against cancer.” Since then, Thiago has donated the proceeds to the hospital Gabriela called the family’s “second home and the place we bring all the donations.”

(Left to right) Nestor, Thiago, and Gabriela Molinari are all smiles following the 11-year-old celebrating five years cancer free in June. (COURTESY GABRIELA MOLINARI)

“With his lemonade stand he doesn’t make much, but he wants to make a difference,” she shared.

Gabriela said her son, who will turn 12 next month, is now like any typical tween — “super active, he is doing Taekwondo, he loves to play video games, and guess what, being on his phone,” she joked. She also described him as “funny, kind, and full of energy.”

“I am used to so much energy since I have a daycare at home but there are days that I need to rest and he doesn’t stop, but I really prefer it that way,” she quipped.

She recalled that even during the darkest times while battling cancer, Thiago remained positive, a true testament to his strong and determined character.

11-year-old Fitchburg tween Thiago Molinari celebrated being a childhood cancer survivor with WooSox mascot Smiley Ball at Polar Park in Worcester. (COURTESY GABRIELA MOLINARI)

“The thing that always helped us keep going was he never complain about anything,” Gabriela said. “When he was sick, he was always smiling, and he had awful days, but he was always a happy boy. He is a happy boy, thank goodness.”

She said the thing her son wants the most in his life is for other children not to have to go through the same thing he went through.

“If you ask him what he wishes, he will say to find the cure for cancer,” Gabriela said. “He wants to give back in any way he can, because when he was really sick so many people helped him and he only has good memories from the darkest times of our life. He deserves all the credit. We are only here to support him and spread the word because kids get cancer too. We just want to share all the hard work Thiago is doing to bring awareness to childhood cancer.”

The Highlands host Mario Kart races for a good cause

October 1, 2022 by pkzadmin

The Highlands staff channeled their inner Mario Kart characters for a tricycle race fundraiser held on Sept. 22 at the Fitchburg nursing and rehabilitation center to benefit LCCA Team Highlands on The Hill's annual Worcester County Walk to End Alzheimer's fundraising efforts. (Left to right) Highlands Marketing Specialist William O'Connor, Dementia Special Care Unit CNA Maria Ortega, and Dementia Special Care Unit Clinical Unit Manager Catherine Jeremie race in heat 3 while Executive Director Carlos Bonillia, dressed as Mario, looks on.(COURTESY THE HIGHLANDS) — The Highlands staff channeled their inner Mario Kart characters for a tricycle race fundraiser held on Sept. 22 at the Fitchburg nursing and rehabilitation center to benefit LCCA Team Highlands on The Hill’s annual Worcester County Walk to End Alzheimer’s fundraising efforts. (Left to right) Highlands Marketing Specialist William O’Connor, Dementia Special Care Unit CNA Maria Ortega, and Dementia Special Care Unit Clinical Unit Manager Catherine Jeremie race in heat 3 while Executive Director Carlos Bonillia, dressed as Mario, looks on.(COURTESY THE HIGHLANDS)

FITCHBURG – Team members from The Highlands recently embraced their inner Mario Kart characters for a fun-filled tricycle race fundraiser to benefit the nursing and rehabilitation center’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s team.

Registered racers were asked to get sponsors, while every donation was put toward the LCCA Team Highlands on The Hill’s fundraising efforts. The race raised more than $1,200 while, to date, the team has raised over $6,000, far exceeding their initial $5,000 goal.

Team members will be walking in the Worcester County Walk to End Alzheimer’s on Oct. 2, an annual tradition The Highlands has participated in for more than 20 years.

“We have been searching for a signature fundraising event for our Walk To End Alzheimer’s team and, after much collaborative brainstorming, the tricycle race was born,” The Highlands Alzheimer’s Program Director Kristi Mendoza said of the inaugural event held on Sept. 22 that featured the race as well as free hot dogs, popcorn and soda for all.

“The event was a blast!” she said. “It was incredible to see so many staff members take an active role and witness the enthusiasm and support form non racing staff, residents, and family members.”

The Highlands put out a sponsorship jar for each of the 11 racers. Dementia Special Care Unit LPN LeAnn Orsalock took home the $50 cash prize for getting the most sponsors.

Nurse Practitioner Meaghan Moore came in first in the tricycle race, Dementia Special Care Unit Clinical Unit Manager Catherine Jeremie came in second and Dementia Special Care Unit Program Director Kristi Mendoza took third. Each of the three received a medal.

“It was our biggest single fundraising event,” said Highlands Marketing Specialist William O’Connor, who praised Mendoza as “the queen of our walk and fundraising.”

“Without Kristi, we would not reach our goal every year and have fun doing it,” he said.

The event was open to the public for viewing and Mendoza said the staff “were so excited to let go and have fun” and “enjoyed embracing their inner Mario characters and experiencing time with one another outside of work for a good cause.” She also called the search for tricycles to be used in the race a “full facility effort.”

“We had many individuals out there looking for tricycles with a majority of the tricycles being donated,” Mendoza said. “All racers were welcome and encouraged to select their tricycles ahead of time and to decorate them as was fitting to their character.”

Of course, Mario and his brother Luigi were represented, as were other Mario Kart characters including Bowser, Donkey Kong, Wario and more. Despite the lighthearted tone of the race, Mendoza stated that it was important to The Highlands staff “to embrace this event to really develop team spirit and comradery after so many years struggling with through COVID-19.”

“The Highlands has a Dementia Special Care Unit and many of our residents have become family to our staff,” she said. “Making a difference in their lives by supporting the Alzheimer’s Association allows us to make a difference.”

Although the walk is this Sunday, donations for the 2022 LCCA Team Highlands on The Hill can be made for at least another month by visiting act.alz.org/site/TR/Walk2022/MA-MassachusettsNewHampshire?team_id=722270&pg=team&fr_id=15619.

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