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Community Service Projects
It Takes a Village:
Donations of Time, Talent and Supplies Yield Generous Windfall for Minute Man Arc
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On June 3, despite the downpour and the cold temperature, NARI volunteers completed a long planned project for Minutman ARC, an agency that supports individuals with developmental disabilities throughout their lives.
In February, Minuteman ARC was delighted upon hearing the project they pitched to Boston Cares, an organization that matches volunteers with needy agencies, had been accepted. Peter Buzzelle and Gerry McGonagle, representing EM-NARI knew the volunteer project would spark interest with their colleagues. Thanks to their considerable recruiting skills, Peter and Gerry were joined by twenty weather-hearty volunteers arriving at 7 am and not leaving until 7 pm, among them were Bill Farnsworth, Kirk Stanford, Tim Walsh, and Dave Surrette, Jefffery Aloi, Claude Maddox, Joe Plante, Nick Plante, Peter Miner and Tom Downer.
In addition to donating his considerable talents, Peter Buzzelle contacted various organizations for supply donations. A number of supplier members of NARI donated materials necessary to build the addition. Sterritt Lumber in Watertown, National Lumber in Newton, TREX Composite Decking, Harvey Industries in Waltham, Empyrean International, LLC in Acton, and Parksite Plunkett Webster all donated supplies for the project.
ARS Services, MJ Enterprises, Aloi Remodeling, and JF Basnett Co. all pitched in on the vital digging and pouring of foundation supports in the weeks leading up to June 3. "We are delighted by the outpouring of goodwill in the community," says Rebecca Lynch, Volunteer Coordinator at the Agency, "We could never accomplish such a project without such generous donations... It just couldn't happens."
The women who live at the residence, look forward to spending summer evenings outside on their new deck, which was constructed complete with railings and stairs leading down into the back yard. More than 900 infants, toddlers, children and adults receive services annually from Minuteman ARC. It is funded by state and federal dollars, the Community Chests of Concord/Carlisle, Maynard and Stow, the United Ways of Acton/Boxborough and Mass Bay and private donations.
