Members of the Rotary Club of Watertown joined with students, parents and staff at Watertown Middle School to pack Thanksgiving meals for those in need.
The Rotary Club of Watertown, led by honorary member Eleanor Donato, worked with Watertown Middle School kids and their teachers to put together over 40 Thanksgiving Baskets for Watertown families in need, according to a Rotary Club annoucement.
Funds for the basket contents were provided by Watertown Middle School families and staff and the Rotary Club. On Monday Nov. 27 kids and adults came together to sort the supplies and pack the baskets. The baskets contained everything a family would need to have a wonderful Thanksgiving meal – from a turkey to ingredients for all of the fixings to instructions on how to make it all come together!
The Thanksgiving Basket tradition was started by Mrs Donato in 1996 with one Watertown Middle School homeroom creating one basket to give to a family new to this country. In 2000 it became a school-wide project. The Rotary Club of Watertown joined forces with Mrs Donato and Watertown Middle School more than 10 years ago to help bring a full Thanksgiving feast to those who might otherwise not be able to experience it.
If you are interested in participating in the Thanksgiving Basket tradition in the future, please feel free to reach out to Lilia Weisfeldt, President of the Rotary Club of Watertown, at lilia@ballroominboston.com.
All Baskets included:
Turkey
Cider
Pie
Sweet bread
Rolls
Peas
Corn
Green beans
Carrots
Potatoes
Sweet potatoes
Squash
Onions
Cranberry sauce
Gravy
Stuffing
Butter
Box of chocolates
Roasting pan
Holiday napkins
Booklet with holiday history and cooking instructions
Thanks to the Watertown Middle School students , staff and families who generously donate to our Thanksgiving Baskets every year. We are grateful to the Watertown Rotary Club for their partnership over the last 10 years. Special thanks to Watertown Middle School teachers Elissa Willoughby and Sam Morris who have taken over this project and to Laura Shock and Aine Dirrane and their Leadership Class who organize this. This year, in addition to financial support from the Rotary, we had Rotary volunteers assisting with assembling the baskets. It is one of the favorite Middle School Community Service events and we thank the Rotary for their partnership with this and our Pennies for Patients Campaign. We have also joined with them in their Stop Hunger Now program. Rotary provides many opportunities for service by our students .