Wethersfield Hero Raises Money for Local Children to Attend Summer Camps

Note from the Editor: This is an article in a series called "Wethersfield Heroes," where our students work to highlight and honor those in our community going above and beyond amidst the tumultuous year. If you know someone that you would like to nominate as a Wethersfield Hero, please contact Mr. Martin at jmartin@wethersfield.me. ​

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By Owen Gagne

Pam Harrison is an incredible person and truly a hero to our small town of Wethersfield. Although she is currently employed as a staff member in our public school system, Ms. Harrison also does volunteer work with the Youth Advisory Board. 

Through this group, she organized a 5k race named HUGS with proceeds going towards “campership'' which is financial aid for families who can’t afford to send their children to camps in the summer.

Ms. Harrison’s assistance in the coordination of this event was crucial to its success. She says “I’m a runner and I’ve seen so many races go virtual this year, so I thought we could do something like that”. 

She has completed two marathons and numerous half marathons and thought it would be the perfect event. With her knowledge of virtual races and connections throughout the town, she was able to organize the HUGS 5k race to collect some fundraiser money over Valentine's Day weekend. 

“I’ve been on the Youth Advisory Board for about 7-8 years now. It’s a great place to be involved in our community”, said Ms. Harrison. 

As a member of the Youth Advisory Board, Ms. Harrison helps think of unique fundraiser ideas such as raffle night, an event at Wood N’ Tap, and the 5k race. They work alongside the Town Hall Social and Youth Services at times as well which allows for use of certain facilities or opportunities otherwise unavailable. The group meets monthly to brainstorm ideas as to how they can make Wethersfield a better place for its students.

What made this event so inspirational was the fact that all proceeds were donated to the Town Hall Social and Youth Services’s campership fund. Ms. Harrison said, “Any Wethersfield student whose family may need some financial assistance can receive a scholarship or “campership” because it is used for summer camp”. She knows that lots of kids in town do not have the same opportunities as others, therefore she works to assist the less fortunate.

The passion to help others in her community transpired from the joy she feels when knowing she can give back to the community. Being part of the Wethersfield school system, along with being a resident for many years, she feels “it is a nice way to see things from a different angle. Usually I am just looking at high school students, but this way I can see the whole continuum of what we can do for kids”. She also has relations with other Wethersfield residents who benefit from her services as part of the Youth Advisory Board, which helps motivate her to do more.

As stated earlier, Ms. Harrison is an amazing person who deserves to be recognized as a hero to her Wethersfield community. Her volunteer work with the Youth Advisory Board and everything she does to benefit the children of her community is a truly admirable characteristic. It was an honor to interview this Wethersfield hero who has helped so many.

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