By Barbara Scott
Staff Writer
Students at the Caribou High School Tech Center know all about a variety of trades such as nursing, automotive repair, heavy equipment operations, graphic arts, welding and carpentry but they also know a thing or two about giving back to the community — and they know that all children deserve to have a Merry Christmas.
Four years ago the technology students started a fund-raising project in order to purchase toys to be donated to the Caribou volunteer Firefighters Toys for Tots Program. After placing donation cans in the classrooms, that year, in 2007-08 they raised $300; in 2008-09 the total jumped to $410.87. Last week during a break from their studies while enjoying holiday music and refreshments, they presented Volunteer firefighter Jared Willey, chairman of the department’s Toys for Tots Program, with $752 worth of toys.
The story doesn’t end there, the students also purchased $320 in gift certificates from Big Cheese Pizza, Subway and the Caribou Theatre, all donated to the fire station in order to help make sure even the older children on Santa’s list have a Merry Christmas.
Aroostook Republican photo/Barb Scott
Volunteer firefighter Jared Willey, left, is presented with over $700 in toys from Darrick Lamothe on behalf of Caribou High School Techonology Center students and staff.
Judy Bougie, guidance counselor at the Technology Center stated, “It is great to see how generous high school students are to others.”
Student Darrick Lamothe, who is also a junior volunteer firefighter with the CFD, formally presented the toys to Willey,
Firefighter Willey offered his sincere thanks to all the students and staff at the Tech Center, stating, “Thank you so very much, your generosity has just helped us provide Christmas for 90 families and 300 children, you should be proud of yourselves.”
Willey also said, “There is nothing like the thank you or the smile and hug we (firefighters) get from a 4-year-old when these Christmas gifts are delivered. Thank you from all of us at the Caribou Fire Department.”
Aroostook Republican photo/Barb Scott
John Worsley, Caribou Tech. Center instructor, led the students in singing some Christmas tunes.
