Photo: WBZ NewsRadio \ Drew Moholland
DANVERS, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — Soon-to-be ninth-graders cheered on the streets of Danvers as their block party fundraiser kicked off on Wednesday.
What started as a middle school project turned into a fundraiser and block party, helping the community come together. The students had a goal to unify the Danvers community and local businesses after the pandemic left the community isolated.
"This is all about bringing the community together and supporting local businesses," Josie Vogul, one student event organizer told WBZ's Drew Moholland with a big smile.
The block party took place in downtown Danvers with local vendors and businesses in attendance including Pub 49, Isla Bonita Nutrition, Sawasdee, Cigars US, Sol Nutrition, and Mrs. Hotdog. Danvers High School band performed at the event to entertain guests, while other students were face painting attendees.
The idea for the block party began as a civic action project in Amy Fessette’s eighth-grade class at Holten Richmond Middle School.
"It's amazing, they worked all through the summer," Fessette said. "Even after they graduated eighth grade they continued the hard work."
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While the event was free to attend, students collected donations for the Uvalde, Texas community and Robb Elementary School. Half of the proceeds went to Uvalde while the other half went towards funding for next year's block party. Students hope to make it an annual event.
The Robb Elementary School shooting occurred in early planning days of the event. Students wanted to give back to the community and decided to raise money for them.
"Hopefully we can continue to make a change in their community and in the world," Fessette said.
WBZ's Drew Moholland (DrewWBZ) has more:
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