John Monfredo: Worcester’s South High Teaches a Lesson in Giving

Saturday, December 21, 2013

John Monfredo, GoLocalWorcester MINDSETTER

Andy's Attic at the South High Community School in Worcester.

Schools, in general, mirror what’s taking place in society and for many schools it’s not only about academics but it’s about meeting the everyday needs of its students. Way back in 1943 American Psychologist Abraham Maslow wrote a paper on the ‘Theory of Human Motivation” and developed a “pyramid of needs for everyone. The number one basic needs for the survival of individuals were that of food, clothing and shelter.

South High Principal Maureen Bineinda and her staff have recognized those needs and they have tried to assist those students. The school started a “food pantry” a few years ago due to a lack of food security and a community garden was developed to assist students and families who lacked “food security.”

Andy's Attic

Just recently, during the holiday season and during our cold spell, the school opened up a used clothing store, called “Andy’s Attic.”

According to Christine Foley, physical education teacher, who lives in Shrewsbury and the person responsible for initiating Andy’s Attic at South High stated she had heard about Andy Reese a 16 year Shrewsbury High School killed in a tragic car accident in December of 2010. Andy was a thoughtful, kind person who actively showed his compassion by reaching out o teenagers and kids in need. In Andy’s memory and honor, Andy’s Attic was developed by his parents, Darrell and Lisa Reese. Ms. Foley heard about the project and started to assist in Andy’s Attic that was housed first in the Reese’s home and then at a warehouse in Shrewsbury. According to Ms. Foley, “as Andy’s Attic grew, my orders grew and I found myself passionately involved and loving the feeling of giving to my students… I filled 190 bags of clothes for our South High kids alone last year. We found that behind every teenager in need there was an entire family in need, so we helped everyone who asked for clothing. Reaching out to engaging a number of families with clothing issues led us to also assist many of them with not only clothes but other basic household needs.”

Then, in the summer of 2013, Mrs. Reese was moving to Florida and asked Ms. Foley if she was interested in taking over the organization. Ms. Foley called Principal Bineinda to ask for help and Principal Bineinda generously offered space at South High.

Clothes were delivered from its warehouse site and with the assistance of over 30 volunteer students, assistance from the Worcester Housing Authority, Unum volunteers, volunteers from Hanover Theater and an array of staff members, the clothes were organized by sizes and placed on shelves. Since then more clothing has come from the staff, from many businesses and churches in the area. Not only are the clothes going to needy students at South High but just recently bags were distributed to families in Shrewsbury, North High, Doherty, the Gerald Creamer Center, Chandler Elementary, Red Cross, Belmont Community School and Union Hill Elementary School.

Ms. Foley and Principal Binienda are quick to point out that the South High Students assisting in the project have been amazing. Each student who comes for the community service unit at the school is dedicated and hard working. Students working after school and during their study hall time have done a fantastic job in getting the store in operation.

Any student in need of clothing fills out a slip with the type of clothing needed and its size. Then the order is filled by a student volunteer. South High, a school that has received awards for its “Service Learning,” has students excited about making a difference for other students. Crystal Nguyen –grade 11 stated, “I would help every day if I could because it makes me happy when I know I can help others in need when they receive these clothes.” Another student, Santhana Xapilak, grade 11, echoed, “From folding clothes to packing orders is one step closer to helping our community.”

Ms. Foley reminds the students each time they leave Andy’s Attic that “they did a wonderful thing today… you helped someone, so feel good about what you did today.”

The staff at the school certainly models a community of caring for Eileen Roach and Marsha Binienda of the Special Education Department stated that since Andy’s Attic has opened we have been able to provide warm clothing for those cold mornings while our children wait for their busses or while walking to school. It has also allowed children who could not afford new clothing to obtain many new articles of clothing. We have also supplied many families who have lost everything due to fire and hardships.

As Principal Binienda stated, “there is a real need out there for so many students are in need of clothing… My life has been enriched daily by the conversations and stories being told by our students volunteering in Andy’s Attic.

What's next?

I asked Ms. Foley about what’s next for Andy’s Attic and she responded, “Since our article in the Telegram and Gazette my e-mail and phone has been ringing with people who want to donate and help out. My car and garage are full with bags of clothes from generous people who drop off bags of beautiful gently used clothing. Monetary donations have also helped out for we have been able to purchase many coats, hats, mittens, gloves, pajamas and undergarments for the students and their families.”

Any individual or group interested may drop off items at South High School or arrangements can be made for donations to be picked up. You can e-mail Christine Foley at [email protected] or call her at 508 735-8507.

In general, society watches those school buses run through their community without a clue of the many hardships that are occurring with many students and their families. It is so heartwarming to hear about how a school with dedicated individuals can inspire students to step up and help make a difference in lives of so many individuals. Remember, “Happiness doesn’t result for what we get, but from what we give.”

John Monfredo: Worcester’s South High Teaches a Lesson in Giving

Andy's Attic

What's next?

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