LHS class of 2022 makes commitment to give back to community

April 28, 2021 | Sarah Heinonen
sheinonen@thereminder.com

Srisha Athreya, Christen Charles, Peter Preston, Jonah Barresi and Director of Adult Services James Leyden stand with donations for the Longmeadow Food Pantry, located at the Longmeadow Adult Center.
Reminder Publishing submitted photo

LONGMEADOW – The Longmeadow High School class of 2022 has made it their mission to give back to the community.

“Over the past three years, our class has raised money for various reasons – apparel, class events, fundraising. This year, due to the pandemic, our class collectively decided that we wanted to give back to our community,” said Srisha Athreya, student treasurer. “During times of uncertainty and chaos, it is crucial to aid those in need. Now more than ever, it is important to us that we support our community.”

The class had raised a total of $1,500 throughout the year. Athreya said that the money hadn’t been raised with giving in mind, but they agreed as a class to donate it to charity. She said that class advisers John Pantuosco and Jessica Moore encouraged the students throughout the process.

The juniors developed a list of charities and each student selected their top three preferences to split the donations evenly between. The class chose the Longmeadow Food Pantry; St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital and Jambo Tanzania, a non-profit that provides medical care to people in Tanzania to whom it would not otherwise be accessible and is building a hospital there.

“The 2022 class officers hand-delivered the checks to both Dr. Mary Banda, who is the founder/creator of Jambo Tanzania and is a Longmeadow resident, and the Longmeadow Food Pantry,” said Athreya.

A representative from Jamba Tanzania explained how the students’ philanthropy would help her organization. “The money goes directly for supplies and equipment so we can open Kashambya Hospital in August.” She said the $500 is “instrumental” and “helped us significantly” in stocking the 30-bed hospital. The organization has been conducting bi-yearly trips to administer healthcare in the African country. The hospital will provide year-round healthcare. “We’re thrilled.”

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