Lancaster

LANCASTER — The Carr siblings are continuing their mission to do good in the community through the foundation they created in their late parents’ names as a way to carry on their giving back and selfless legacies.

Since they launched The Joseph and Leslie Carr Foundation, Inc. in 2019 the four siblings — BethAnne Arnold of Shirley, David Carr of Lancaster, Joseph Carr of Lowell, and Michelle Harris of Sterling — along with a legion of dedicated volunteers have packed and distributed 1,250 holiday food baskets to those in need in the greater region.

“Like any siblings, we have our moments, but there isn’t anyone else I’d want to work alongside with our spouses and children,” David Carr said of his family and their altruistic efforts.

One hundred volunteers of all ages lent a helping hand at the Dec. 17 food baskets assembly at the Leominster Eagles Club and another 100 volunteers delivered the 600 baskets, which included a full turkey dinner with all the sides, to people in 21 towns and cities across Worcester and Middlesex counties — up from 350 baskets last year, 200 in 2020, the year they officially became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and 100 the first year.

Two hundred of the December baskets went to Clinton, Leominster and Fitchburg. On Dec. 18, 100 volunteers participated in assembling another 50 food baskets and delivered them across the Merrimack Valley out of Butler Middle School in Lowell.

“There are always some hiccups but generally speaking we’ve got it down to a science, and that is why we felt comfortable expanding to a second location this year in Lowell,” David Carr said of how this season’s efforts went, adding that their family grew up in Tewksbury so they “wanted an opportunity to expand in that area.”

Their father Joseph Carr started a similar food baskets program with the Medford Rotary Club more than 40 years ago that still operates today, “so there is some legacy in there for us,” he said of what inspires them.

“There are a half million people in Massachusetts that don’t know where their next meal is going to come from, including one out of every 11 children,” David Carr shared about some staggering statistics. “That resonates with each of us. More than half of the families in the U.S. live paycheck to paycheck. So many of us are one accident or diagnosis or job loss away from not being able to cover basic costs, so providing food allows folks to spend money in other areas.”

When asked what the reaction typically is from recipients of the food baskets, David Carr said that they were “overwhelmed by the responses this year,” which came via email, Facebook message, and mail.

“We received more this year than in all the other years combined,” he said. “We don’t do this for the reaction, but it sure is nice to hear we’re doing the right thing.”

Beyond the 600 food baskets for Christmas, this year the foundation sponsored over 30 meals at WHEAT in Clinton, supported food banks in Clinton and Chelmsford, donated thousands of diapers to a diaper bank in Lowell, provided car seats and pack n plays for shelters in Lawrence and backpacks for children in Leominster, and scholarships to students in Lancaster, Sterling, and Shirley.

“We are only able to do to his because of the kindness and generosity of friends, neighbors and strangers alike,” David Carr humbly said. “We are excited for what happens in 2023.”

When it comes to the future plans and goals for the foundation, he said that they plan to continue supporting those in need across Worcester and Middlesex counties. One of the ways they fundraise in order to do that is through a yearly 5K that has grown exponentially since the first one in 2020.

Last year’s race sold out in three weeks and as of press time, over 230 runners are already registered for the 3rd Annual Joseph and Leslie Carr Foundation Shamrock 5K on March 11 at Sterling Street Brewery in Clinton. Registration before Feb. 1 is $35, before March 1 is $40, and $45 on or after March 1.

Each runner will receive a branded gift from the Carr Foundation, a free beer after the race, will be eligible for randomly drawn raffle prizes, and there will be cash prizes for the winners in each age bracket and best costume.

They also have two other big fundraisers later this year – the 2nd Annual Nashoba Rock N Brewfest at the Lancaster Fairgrounds in June and the 4th annual Joseph and Leslie Carr Foundation Golf Tournament in September, which is typically held at Trull Brook Golf Course in Tewksbury.

David Carr said those events last year plus their “relationship” with Christmas on Runaway in Lancaster, which collects funds for the Carr Foundation at their popular lights display and show, made 2022 their “best year of fundraising yet,” enabling them to distribute more baskets and expand their reach.

“We have been very lucky to feel the love from friends, neighbors, and strangers alike via donations of both time and financial support,” David Carr said. “We will continue to fundraise to support those efforts.”

When asked how he thinks their parents would feel about he and his siblings’ efforts carried out in their names and what they would say, he didn’t hesitate to share that “our parents were already proud of us.”

“They were good people, we like to think they raised good people. It seems cliché, but our parents hoped that we one day would leave our homes, communities, and world a better place. This is our attempt to try.”