Rivals rally to score a touchdown for those in need

Fitchburg, Leominster raise more than $13K in food drive

FITCHBURG » The challenge was issued.

The challenge was accepted and then executed like a flawless scoring drive on the gridiron on Thanksgiving morning between archrivals Fitchburg and Leominster.

While the annual Thanksgiving football game between both storied high school football programs was wiped out due to COVID-19, it didn’t stop the canned food fundraising rivalry off the field from pushing forward.

Instead of collecting non-perishable food items and competing for the highest totals with the winning school announced on Thanksgiving morning like in previous years, the student councils at Fitchburg High and Leominster High got creative in the heart of this pandemic and took to the virtual world to continue this food drive to help students and families in need in each community.

The “2020 Food Drive COVID style” was created and both communities donated money with one click of a button, either through Venmo or Paypal, or with a check mailed to Fitchburg High School.

The collection goal was to raise $10,000.

“The day that we started, I posted the flyer on social media in the morning and by the end of the school day we had received over $800,” said Fitchburg High math teacher and National Honor Society co-advisor Katie Schmitt. “We reached our goal of $10,000 in 11 days. Donations kept coming after Thanksgiving and we are now at $13,250.”

Joining forces with LHS in the fundraiser has been an absolute win-win for both communities, said Fitchburg High Principal Jeremy Roche.

“The heart and soul of both schools has been on display, and we are proud to not only see such a tremendous result but to do it with our traditional rivals,” he continued. “This collaboration and the amazing community response has been a bright light in a pretty dark year. On to better things in 2021, and thanks to all who have been so generous.”

Added Leominster High Principal Steve Dubzinski: “The longstanding traditions between the two schools is not only based

on a rivalry, but an ability to respect and work together when we have a need. The two cities have always competed, but also come together to assist all residents. I am so proud to be working at Leominster and part of this great tradition. Thank you to everyone that contributed and helped the families in need during this holiday season.”

The proceeds, which have been equally divided by Fitchburg and Leominster, were used to purchase Market Basket and Walmart gift cards.

All the gift cards handed off to each school will be distributed to students and families in need in Fitchburg and Leominster.

During the week of Thanksgiving, each principal was given $1,500 in Market Basket gift cards to give to students and their families, according to Schmitt. Earlier this week, she purchased $7,000 in additional gift cards -- $1,000 for each school in Walmart cards and $2,500 for each school in Market Basket cards. Mr. Roche and Mr. Dubzinski are currently working on distributing to students/families.

Schmitt – a lifelong resident of Fitchburg – says she’s proud of where she’s from because of how much the community cares for those in need of some support.

“I tell people all the time that Fitchburg High is the greatest place to work,” said Schmitt, adding that the FHS National Honor Society and Student Council have donated to Our Father’s House every year after the Food Drive, but since they don’t have actual canned goods to give them this year, they decided to give $1,000 in Market Basket gift cards. “Our staff goes above and beyond to take care of our students, and it was amazing to watch our community join us to help us help our students.

“What was even better was working with Leominster to support all of our students collectively. We all know that typically the month of November revolves around FHS vs. LHS, but this year it was FHS and LHS versus the pandemic. It was awesome to see students from both schools ‘facetiming’ and working together to make this fundraiser happen.”

So who won the food drive? In 2020, there were two winning communities.

The tie will be broken on Thanksgiving 2021.