JH makes turkey dinner for veterans

By Jennifer Grybowski
Turley Publications Reporter

STURBRIDGE– For the 20th consecutive year, students at the Tantasqua Regional Junior High School have made a traditional turkey dinner for patients at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) Northampton. In honor of the anniversary, TRJHS had favors made and representatives of the VAMC presented TRJHS with a plaque commemorating the event.
The students prepared for the event by creating placemats, setting tables, cooking dinner and desserts, ironing tablecloths and more. Retired teacher and musician Dick Chase, as well as members of the TRJHS band, provided entertainment during the dinner.
American Legion Post 109 makes a donation annually to help fund the dinner. Legion Post Commander Thomas Chamberland was on hand to carve the turkey.
“The members are very supportive of this,” Chamberland said.
TRJHS Principal Jennifer Lundwall was also on hand to help.
“This is one of my favorite days here,” Lundwall said. “It definitely kicks the holidays off.”
TRJHS Health Teachers Jaime Armin and Ellen Canavan said the students were excited about the event.
“Naturally kids want to do good things and they want to help,” Armin said.
Armin also said she couldn’t believe the school had partnered with the VAMC for 20 years. VAMC Northampton Voluntary Officer Anne Murray said Armin had called the hospital some 20 years ago asking for ideas on how her students could volunteer.
“We’ve done so many things together over the years,” Murray said. “It used to be once a month.”
Over the years, the veterans and students spent days at Old Sturbridge Village, attended school basketball games, plays and music department concerts, carnivals and went bowling. Murray said those activities have benefited the veterans in many different ways.
“The intergenerational interaction is great for them,” she said. “For to them come into the school and see how it changes…it’s socialization and getting into the community. This is major for these guys.”
Murray said the veterans volunteer to come, but only about 20 or so are chosen to attend. They come from all different units in the hospital, but most have inpatient status.
“They won’t be with their families,” Murray said. “Really, this is Thanksgiving for them.”
The satisfaction is felt on both sides.
“The students think this is one of the most meaningful things they have ever done,” Armin said. “We’re sending them out in the world to do these kinds of things.”
In fact, Murray said some former students still write letters to veterans they had befriended while they were in school.
“This is real life, this is real health,” Armin said. “What they are learning is helping them to be good citizens and dedication to our patriots. They are not so different from each other. They have a lot in common. People are sometimes afraid to work with teens, so it gives them a chance to shine in our society.”
Murray agreed and said it worked the same way on the veterans’ side.
“People are sometimes afraid of the vets, but the kids go right up to them and talk to them,” Murray said.
The school will host the veterans again in March, with a St. Patrick’s Day dinner.