Scouts honor COVID-care heroes in Leominster
Hit the lake to raise money to feed front-line workers
LEOMINSTER » In the misty morning of Memorial Day, several scouts from Troop 12 Leominster, along with family and friends, came together at Lake Whalom in Lunenburg for a kayaking fundraiser.
“Troop 12 scout Lucas Gallo thought of the idea and asked his fellow scouts if they too would like to be involved,” Keith Boudreau, troop committee chair and charter organization representative for Our Lady of the Lake Church, said. “He was joined by scouts Kyle Mabie and Vincent Soubbotin on that morning and together they reached out to family and friends for support.”
Supporters chose to kayak for the cause or donate — some chose to do both.
For about three hours, the scouts and their teams paddled multiple laps around Lake Whalom to earn donations to help celebrate local health care he
roes in our community.
There were nine participants kayaking for the COVID-hero cause that Monday morning.
In addition to Lucas, Kyle and Vincent and their family members; Jack Kirrane, Krista and Sam Piazza, and Darlene Bergeron also joined in the kayaking trek.
“The three scouts — Lucas, Kyle and Vincent — sent emails to their family and friends explaining what they were doing and how anyone willing could donate to their cause,” Boudreau said. “They also used social media to advertise their event in hopes that the community would come together to show appreciation for our town’s local heroes.”
The scouts decided to purchase gift cards to local restaurants, helping support the restaurants, and then present the gift cards to the local heroes in the health care community.
A total of $1,435 was raised during the event and gift cards or food was presented to members of the Leominster Fire Department, the Life Care Center of Leominster and the COVID care personnel at UMass Memorial HealthAlliance Clinton Hospital’s Leominster campus.
Scouting teaches kids to take active responsibility in their communities and the importance of giving their time to help others and to show ap
preciation for all who serve our country and local communities as well.
“The scouts from Troop 12 are used to showing their appreciation to our service men and women on Memorial Day,” Boudreau said. “Since the pandemic put an end to all social gatherings this year, there were no parades to march in or ceremonies to participate in.”
The boys agreed that they were used to getting up early on Memorial Day to march in the parade to show appreciation of our country’s heroes, and because they were unable to do that, why not find another way to show their support and appreciation for the COVID-heroes in their town.
“Everyone was really grateful,” Boudreau said. “The nursing home staff said that providing pizza for all of them one day really helped them to feel appreciated. The firehouses were extremely thankful for the gift cards and had every intention of making sure that all the staff and first responders would be able to share in the gifts. The hospital’s head personnel met with Kyle, Lucas and Vincent to accept the gift cards. They explained just how much it meant to the men and women who have been working so hard during this pandemic saving lives to know that their community cares and supports their efforts. They said that these meals and treats will mean a lot to them.”
Not only were the recipients of the gift cards extremely thankful but the local restaurants the boys chose to purchase gift cards from were also
thankful.
“The manager of Daddy’s Best Pizza in North Leominster thanked us multiple times for choosing his restaurant and shouted ‘God Bless’ to us as we left with $250 in pizza to bring to the nursing home,” Boudreau said.
Troop 12 Leominster makes every effort to actively help those in need in their community. They are always willing to help at Our Lady of Lake Parish when the need for clean up or event set up arises.
“During the year, when the scouts become aware of people who may need their help; such as a family that may be going through a tough time or a group or organization that needs a little scout power, they are always there to help,” he said.
Troop 12 Leominster is sponsored by Our Lady of the Lake Church and has both a Scouts BSA Troop for Boys as well as a Scouts BSA Troop for Girls.
“Scouting is a way for any child to grow with a dedicated and trained group of adult volunteers who teach the importance of giving, community involvement and respect for our country, fellow citizens, family and themselves,” Boudreau said. “Becoming a scout helps to build friendships and confidence and leadership skills, all important things that every child should have.”