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December 18, 2009

Lattes with love

Teens' effort sends presents to Lawrence Club

By Eric Bryden

If you walked into the Andover High School foyer on Friday morning, Dec. 11, you may have mistaken it for an urban café.

For the second day in a row, the Democracy and Media Literacy students of Brian Parker were hosting breakfast in the foyer starting at 7 a.m., to raise money to buy holiday gifts for youth who use the Boys and Girls Club of Lawrence.

"It's been about two weeks of work to make this possible, but it's all worth it," said senior Pat Wallace. He called the project very fulfilling, especially since without it "650 kids could go without a present" on Christmas.

The Andover High foyer resembled a deli-style café, with cafeteria tables aligning the path to the staircase. These tables were overflowing with bagels, muffins, doughnuts, hot coffee and hot chocolate. AHS students and faculty began to pile into the café around 7:15, purchasing these donated bagels from Perfectos; muffins from the high school cafeteria; doughnuts, hot chocolate and coffee from three Dunkin' Donuts, and additional coffee from Starbucks. Most students were drawn to buy these items because of their nourishing appeal, or because Parker was screamed "Breakfast!" throughout the foyer. Every breakfast-hawking student wore a blue Boys and Girls Club of Lawrence shirt with a Santa hat. Parker sported a reindeer-styled hat.

"This is a great community effort," said Parker as a band led by Spanish teacher Bill Colbe started to play. Parker strongly believes this breakfast "raises community awareness" by letting AHS students know they can help others less fortunate. Parker expressed his elation that students "stepped out of their comfort zones" to ask for donations of food. Parker has his Democracy and Media Literacy classes partake in a community project every year.

"The class came up with several ideas, and we realized that a lot of us had connections with Dunkin' Donuts," said senior Austin Morocco. "[It] definitely feels good to help the Boys and Girls Club of Lawrence." Morocco himself goes to the club once a week and can see the benefits of raising money.

Also working at the tables was senior Theresa Latona, who said that the project is completely worth it if "we can help every kid get a present on Christmas."

The breakfast bash raised more than $2,700. Those wishing to contribute more can send checks made out to Andover High School, and in the memo line write "Boys & Girls Cub of Lawrence fundraiser." These donations should be sent to Andover High School, 80 Shawsheen Road, Andover, MA 01810; ATTENTION: Brian Parker.

The Boys and Girls Club of Lawrence provides over 3,500 children with activities and services. It says it strives to produce upstanding and considerate young men and women through an early introduction to constructive activities.

Eric Bryden is a student at Andover High School writing for the Townsman as part of an internship program through the school.

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Lattes with love
by By Eric Bryden , , Fri Dec 18, 2009, 03:07 PM EST
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