Worcester JCC Summer Campers Raise Funds to Help Worcester Residents Near and Far

WORCESTER, MA—Article submitted by Worcester JCC. Want to submit your news? Email charlene.arsenault@patch.com.

This summer, campers at the Worcester JCC, in addition to learning new things, developing new skills and making new friends, also raised funds to help benefit others. For several weeks, teams of Summer Day Camp participants held a spirited “Penny Wars” contest – and their pennies, nickels and dimes really added up. The $750 raised – the equivalent of 75,000 pennies – was used to donate backpacks and school supplies to Friendly House to help kids in need from the Worcester area, and to send a care package of over 100 pounds of snacks and treats for U.S. troops stationed in Africa.

The JCC Campers have a strong connection to Assistant Aquatics Director Ben Tucker – and they really missed him this summer. Ben, an Army Specialist with the 443rd Civil Affairs Battalion, is currently serving our country and stationed in the Horn of Africa, where he and his unit were deployed in June.

Using part of the funds raised, campers sent Ben five care packages stuffed with donated treats for his unit to enjoy.

“We are all so very thankful for what you have done,” said Ben in a note back to the JCC. “We are also very thankful for all the letters the kiddos and counselors wrote. There is enough stuff to last us a few months! Without saying too much, a lot of us are being pushed all over Africa for missions, and these little things mean so much because now soldiers in our battalion can put together little packages to take with them.”

The campers then used the remaining funds – nearly $700 – to buy backpacks and school supplies at local stores, and deliver them to Friendly House, a Worcester non-profit servicing kids in need, The supplies were then distributed to youth from the area who could use a helping hand in getting ready for the school year.

“We had another wonderful and successful Summer Day Camp program this year,” said Emily Holdstein, executive director of the JCC. “And one of the highlights was seeing the smiles on our campers as they used their energy – and pennies – to help make a difference for Worcester residents near and far who could use some assistance. We were very proud to have this ‘giving back’ project as part of our diverse set of activities.”

Photo via Worcester JCC