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Reminder Assistant Editor LONGMEADOW After the fund-raisers, the shopping and the baking, one group of local teens saw their entire year of hard work culminate last week in one unforgettable day of giving. For the past five years, a non-denominational teen community service group called "Don't Just Sit There," has given needy families a happier holiday. Five of these families and many of their neighbors were recipients of the teens' generosity this year. "It feels really good giving the people presents because without us, the holiday would be so different for them," explained second-year member Carly Kimball. "They wouldn't have this stuff and the way we give it to them is what makes it so special." This year, Kimball said, giving to the Pisani family was what made the day-long trip on a donated King Ward bus to deliver gifts really special. Longmeadow High School Teacher Robert Pisani was killed in an auto accident in October. His wife and children of Russell, graciously accepted gifts from the teens of DJST, 30 of which are Longmeadow High School students who remember the teacher and substance abuse coordinator as a friend. "He was just a good friend to a lot of the kids in school, like a dad to them," Kimball said. Three of this year's families were past recipients of the program including a family in which the parents are full-time students whom they met via Open Pantry Community Services Inc. New to the route this year was a Somalian family of 17 which they contacted through the Save Our Kids program. "The Somalian family spoke no English at all but we were giving them chicken to cook and they were just so thrilled," Kimball said. "They were grabbing it out of our hands; they were really in need of food." Aside from the groceries delivered to the Somalian family, each of the others received $150 gift cards to Big Y grocery stores. "If we can help them give their kids the holiday experience than that's what we're going to do," said Amy, Kimball's mother who is also the director of DJST. "What means the most to them is meeting the families." This year, 39 of the groups 55 teenagers took the bus trip that they had prepared for all year through fund-raising with a dodge ball tournament, battle of the bands and by gathering private donations. Each teen also donates $25 of their own money to the cause before shopping for and wrapping the gifts. As the group gathered the media's attention for their good deeds, they began receiving calls from others in need. In response to that demand, Amy and the teens are still collecting donations for ongoing support of the community. Mattresses are desperately needed for a local family who recently lost much of their furniture, Amy said. "There is no better way for these kids to celebrate the holidays and to see how other people live," Amy said. "They started saying 'What am I complaining about.'" | ||||||
