Foxboro Jaycees Make Community Impact Despite Pandemic

On Saturday, May 1, 2021, a small group of Foxboro Jaycees gathered (in a large room, safely distanced) to reflect upon the year that challenged business-as-usual community service, to celebrate innovative approaches to traditional projects, and to jumpstart a new season of events.

The nine Board of Directors reflected on each area, noting success in recruiting volunteers through social media and hosting virtual Q & A Sessions, staying connected through virtual trivia nights and book club, raising money through donations, and communicating with local community using the Orpheum sign and the website.

Lynda Walsh, 2020 Vice President of Community Development shared a slew of amazing accomplishments despite the pandemic thanks to creative “thinking outside the box”: unable to have the traditional Easter Egg Hunt on the Common in 2020, Jaycees Laureen and Devlyn House made sure the Easter Bunny visited Foxboro children; Sophia Manos kept the public apprised of 2020 (and 2021) election candidates with a virtual Candidates Night and supported our local school department with donations of computers; Class of 2020 was honored with a banner on the Common; Sue Gillis mobilized a slew of volunteers to make masks for our Jaycees and their families while organizing a project on her own to help others in the community; Jaycee volunteers posted inspirational signs around town; Kathy Brady ensured Foxboro heroes were remembered on Memorial Day by placing the crosses on the common; Lisa Jolicoeur presented the Jaycees scholarship during one of the three concerts Max Loew was able to hold on the common; Kris Long held The Stakes are High with flags to remember all lost to the ongoing overdose pandemic; Amy LaBrache and daughter Sarah put smiles on Doolittle Residents by painting rocks for them to view while out on their grounds; Pam Warren and Marian McCabe led a fundraiser for Alzheimers support; Amy LaBrache worked with our Police Department and Dairy Queen to award tickets to children who were caught “doing good”; Kris Long and Amy LaBrache involved the Jaycees in the town-wide Halloween drive by; and Jaycees continued to support veterans on Thanksgiving by presenting them with turkeys, thanks to continued support by Stop & Shop and the Foxboro Community Center.

And the Jaycees did not skip a beat during the holiday season!! Did you see the refurbished Nativity Scene on the Common (project spearheaded by Sue Gills)? Thank you to the Knights of Columbus and Carl Bertolino, who moved the huge and heavy pieces from storage to the Common and returned them safely in January. Additionally, Andy Gallo oversaw the decorating of the common; Amy LaBrache worked with Santa to video chat with all the children to hear their wishes; for the Foxboro Discretionary Fund, Sophia Manos and crew packaged Fruit Baskets; Lisa arranged gift card donations for the Foxboro Senior Center; the Jaycees held a virtual caroling on the Common with help from the Schools Music Department; Bob Gillis and Pam Warren created the Holiday Light contest; Monica Rigamonti made sure that the highway department erected our banners around town to wish all Happy Holidays; and Amy LaBrache worked with local 6-year old Parker Devine to give some hope this holiday by placing their wishes on our Shared Wish Tree on the Common.

Without the support of amazing organizations, such as Foxboro Cable Access, the Knights, Foxboro First Responders, Stop and Shop, Orpheum Theatre, and many generous Foxboro businesses and community members, the good work would not be possible! And just as important are the volunteers who helped us!

The Jaycees joyously embrace opportunities to involve others in as many community projects as possible and work behind the scenes to support others. As part of the Jaycees recent gathering, we paused to recognize an outstanding individual whose consistent hard work, positive attitude, problem solving skills, and dedication made a huge impact on the success of the chapter. In the past, Pam Warren organized Founder’s Day concession stand and served as chapter Secretary, but this year, without Founder’s Day, Pam went above and beyond to unselfishly give of time and effort to submerge herself in almost every project to ensure its success, knowing how crucial our community service was during the pandemic. The Jaycees are honored to announce that Pam Warren is the recipient of the Key Man Recognition this year.

Want to learn more about the Foxboro Jaycees’ projects and how you can get involved? Visit our Facebook Page or website (foxborojaycees.org) to find projects you want to support! We are tremendously grateful to the dozens of people who show up to help at our project and are eager to meet new friends who share our passion to give back to the community we admire and love.