Norwood Student Participates in State Day of Service

Over 250 eighth graders, representing the Commonwealth's 351 cities and towns will meet this Saturday, Jan. 14 for a second annual day of service, including Griffin Plaag from Coakley Middle School in Norwood.

These student “ambassadors” from across Massachusetts will meet to volunteer and celebrate the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. as part of Project 351. Launched by Governor Deval Patrick in 2010, Project 351 is dedicated to celebrating youth leadership and inspiring the ethic of service.

Governor Patrick will again host a Youth Town Meeting this year, before the young people fan out to service sites across Boston including, Cradles to Crayons, the Greater Boston Food Bank, the Dorchester Boys and Girls Club and the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Towers. The day will conclude at the State House where the ambassadors and the Governor will reflect on the day and celebrate the legacy of Dr. King.

The young people participating were all nominated by education leaders in their hometowns, based on their exemplary service ethic and spirit of generosity. Daniel Neyman, from McCall Middle School in Winchester, was chosen for his initiative and sense of leadership. As a Student Council Representative and a leader of the school’s environmental program, Daniel embodies the spirit of Project 351. “As his parents, his father and I are extremely proud,” said Mrs. Neyman. “We always knew he exemplified these qualities, and to have him recognized for them is truly outstanding.”

George Parent, the ambassador from Dighton Middle School, knows the significance that generosity can have on the people around him. George helps his neighbor, Walter, who is blind, by cooking, cleaning, mowing his lawn and many other household tasks. Most importantly for Walter, George comes over every day to bring him his mail and read it to him. “He has always been so nice to me,” said George. “It’s good to know that every little thing I do helps him.”

The Director of Family and Community Relations at Randolph Public Schools, Monica Roberts, praised Project 351 for the impact it has had not only on the students that participate, but the community as a whole. “It is a unique opportunity for students to strengthen their leadership skills, learn from our Commonwealth’s leaders and their peers, and then apply all that they've learned in their local community,” she said. “We wish all of our eighth graders could participate.”

Many of the ambassadors, like Cristina Giraldo-Marin of Graham and Park School in Cambridge, were chosen because their service has provided assistance beyond their school and local communities. For two years, Cristina has raised money to buy Christmas gifts for impoverished children in her parents’ home country of Colombia. Last year over $1,500 in donations made it to her family’s hometown. Her uncle sent a video of the children with their presents. “They all looked so happy, they were smiling and thanking me,” she said. “It really moved me and seeing those kids is what made it all worth doing.”

January 14 will also serve as the launch of Project 351, a new, independent non-profit dedicated to continuing youth leadership in the Commonwealth through dedication to service of an annual class of ambassadors. Governor Patrick will serve as Project 351's honorary chair.

“Project 351 will support and create opportunities for the eighth grade ambassadors’ continued service, by providing tools, enrichment and connection to a community of their peers,” said Carolyn Casey, executive director of Project 351. “We will work to ensure that young leaders from across the Commonwealth have the greatest potential to make a difference in their communities.”

Last year’s day of service impacted over 10,000 children facing economic challenges in the areas of nutrition, early childhood health and development and education and motivated the ambassadors who took part. Margaret Livingstone, an 8th grade teacher at Pioneer Valley Regional School, noted the continual value of the project. “Each of the four students I escorted last January continue to be actively involved in community service projects in their schools and hometowns,” she said. “Knowing their increased service is the result of that one day, shows the true worth of the Project 351 experience.”