Mepham service groups walk for Boston

Students and teachers involved with Mepham High School’s service organizations walked as a group on May 22, when the clubs hosted a walk-a-thon to aid Boston Marathon bombing victims.

The faculty advisers of Habitat for Humanity, Students Against Destructive Decisions and Key Club said they raised more than $1,000 for the Red Cross fund for Boston. The event was organized in response to the bombings at the Boston Marathon on April 15, which killed three people and injured 264.

Josephine Parlagreco, who advises the World of Difference and Habitat for Humanity clubs, explained that the organizations decided that a walk-a-thon would “go with the marathon theme.” She said she felt this was a good cause because the effects of the bombings are lingering.

“When I saw the news and realized how long-term the problems the people involved would have, I wanted to do something,” she said. “SADD has a charity walk every fall, so I thought we could repeat that event in the spring for Boston survivors. I thought it would be nice for all the service organizations to work together, and everyone was on board right away.”

More than 60 people got involved with the walk-a-thon, which was held on Mepham’s track. Faculty members also participated in a “dress down day” for charity. Parlagreco said this was an unusual event because all the service groups joined forces.

“I am always inspired by how caring the Mepham students are,” she said. “They support so many causes.”