WHITMAN – While giving thanks is the central theme as well as the name Thanksgiving, being on the receiving end of such thanks is another feeling altogether.
Conley Elementary students began their annual basket assembly during the November all-school meeting by telling each other what made them thankful before singing “Happy Birthday” to all those with a birthday this month.
But giving was the main mission, with Student Council members carrying laundry baskets of donated food items for Thanksgiving meals being donated to the Whitman Food Pantry.
“It’s an honor for us to do this every year,” Student Council President Brooke Robins said of the basket assembly. “I know that when I donate just one thing I’m donating to a very important cause, and when I donate that one thing, and everybody else donates that one thing, there’s so many baskets this year, and they’re honestly pretty full.”
Dotty Conlon of the Food Pantry thanked the students on behalf of the pantry and on behalf of their clients, whom they stressed are neighbors.
“All our neighbors are very thankful for you also,” she said.
Animal Control Officer Laura Howe and Joe Kenney were surprised with a check for $950 gathered during the Pennies for Paws collection from Robins and Vice President Avery Nunes. Students’ spare change is combined to provide food and other supplies for the animals at the Animal Control facility.
Howe thanked the students, noting their generosity always makes her cry. She also had a message to the girls, as she was recently elected as only the third woman to be elected to the Select Board.
“I am going back to the next … meeting with such joy in my heart to share with my fellow selectmen, the kindness of this school and the hope that I have for the future because of you kids.”
The next day it was the WHRHS Panther football team having the opportunity to support their community, as they took part in another tradition – joining with the members of the Knights of Columbus Council 347 and Whitman auxiliary police – serving Thanksgiving dinner to seniors.
The 50th annual dinner was also a chance for the Knights to show off the newly renovated function hall and tout events there that also give back to the community. Bingo has been a staple fundraiser for more than 50 years.
“This is our 50th anniversary of having the senior dinner here,” Grand Knight Darron Benton said. “We happily do it.”
The dinner is in keeping with the Knights of Columbus’ founding mission. The organization began in New Haven, Conn., in 1882 to help people who were out of work or were hurt on the job.
“They used their donations and charity to help those in need, which is what we do to this day,” Benton said.
This is also an anniversary year for the Whitman Council. Founded in 1898, Council 347 celebrated 125 years in operation this year.
Those interested in supporting fundraising events, can drop by at 6 p.m., Mondays at 1195 Bedford St. Meat raffles are held the second Saturday of each month at 2 p.m.
“All these raise money to help out organizations in town, the food pantry, church, people in need,” Benton said. “People who can’t pay their rent, people who need oil – whatever people need.”
The Knights have already raised more than $60,000 this year.