Scholarship group wants YOU!
Volunteers are key to re-invigorating Dollars for Scholars
By John Basilesco
MethuenLife Writer
The group that's been handing out scholarships to Methuen students more than three decades hopes next month's first-ever golf tournament will be a big success.
"We're banking on it to keep the scholarship foundation going strong,'' said Marsha Iannalfo, one of the event's organizers. "It's more important than ever because of the high cost of college."
Instead of its annual telethon, the Methuen Scholarship Foundation will hold a golf tournament at the Merrimack Valley Golf Club on Aug. 9 to raise money for its Dollars for Scholars program.
The local foundation, which was created in 1973, has presented more than $300,000 in scholarship money to college-bound Methuen seniors. About 50 students receive scholarship money each year, with individual amounts ranging from $300 to $1,000, based on students' need.
This year, the group is seeking new blood and has put out a call for parent involvement.
Laura Hajjar, a mother of three, stepped forward and got involved when she heard about the need for more volunteers.
"When I joined, it was apparent that there was very little parent support," she said. "I am taking on the role of recruiting parents from the Methuen school system to join this great organization. Although it is clear the Methuen Scholarship Foundation has done an outstanding job of providing scholarships, it is clear that we can do much more."
Iannalfo, who joined the group about a year ago, agreed that more community involvement will allow the foundation to do much more.
Neighboring Dracut raises about $130,000 for scholarships compared to the $30,000 Methuen raises, she said.
"The key is community involvement," she said. "Dracut has tremendous community involvement — a large group of parents and businesses. If Dracut can do it, why can't we?"
Iannalfo, who works as secretary for the Methuen school superintendent, has three daughters. She and Hajjar are both members of the committee organizing next month's golf tournament.
Volunteers from the school system have been the backbone of the group since it was formed.
Steve Francis, a retired Methuen educator and longtime member of the foundation, is one of them. He agrees that more community involvement would be a great way to raise more money. But he said he's concerned about the affect the bad economy can have on any fund-raising efforts.
The retired Methuen High assistant principal said he has fond memories of serving on the foundation's selection committee. He remembers meeting with members at a local restaurant one or two nights a week, sorting through applications and divvying up the money among the students.
They used to meet at the former Pattavina's Restaurant in the old Methuen Mall, he recalled.
"Terry Pattavina, the owner of the restaurant and a member of the selection committee, let us meet there," Francis said. "We've had quite a variety of people on the selection committee who were interested in kids. Going through all the applications was hard work, but it was enjoyable, too. We had a great camaraderie. Sometimes we didn't leave the restaurant until after midnight."
Robert Vogler, the group's president, has always said his goal is for every student to get some monetary award, Francis said, and "we have been doing that."
While Francis has always stayed behind the scenes, others, including Methuen High Principal Arthur Nicholson and former Superintendent Phil Littlefield, have stepped in front of the camera to perform during the annual telethons to help raise money, Francis said. Both have done "something silly" in return for pledges. Current Superintendent Jeanne Whitten, Nicholson and other educators took to the stage to perform at last year's telethon.
In a recent letter, Nicholson, who helped start the scholarship group, announced plans for the upcoming golf tournament and auction. He asked businesses to consider donating items to the auction or to contribute to a sponsorship to help achieve this year's fund-raising goal of $30,000.
He also asked supporters to consider making a tax-deductible donation to Methuen Scholarship Foundation and send it to "Methuen Dollars for Scholars,'' Methuen High School, P.O. Box 2005, Methuen, MA 01844.
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