SWAMPSCOTT — School Committee Vice Chair Glenn Paster announced during Thursday’s Committee meeting that the Boston Bruins Foundation donated $10,000 to Swampscott Elementary School.
The Boston Bruins Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit foundation that aims to support children, families, first responders, and military members through health and wellness, education, and athletics, according to its mission statement.
Paster continued that $3,054 will go to Franklin sporting equipment, and the school will also receive a check for $6,946. He then read through a description of the donation, explaining the background behind it.
“The ‘BFit to Win it Contest’ is to promote health and wellness education in local elementary schools. Winning schools will receive a BFit school assembly, powered by National Grid and supported by the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, plus a donation toward health and wellness education,” Paster read. “10 winners will receive a $10,000 donation, and one outstanding entry will receive the $100,000 grand prize donation.”
Paster added, “To the Boston Bruins Foundation, and all who were involved in this, ‘Thank you,’ doesn’t seem strong enough… but, thank you. Each and every dollar will go to student wellness, and we really appreciate your donation and selecting our fantastic community.”
According to the foundation’s website, the program is a one-of-a-kind event that invites first responders, military members, and the broader community to walk, run, or step to benefit First Responder Charities.
The Committee then voted unanimously to accept the donation.
In a follow-up conversation, Swampscott Elementary School Principal Lori Sanborn said she was thrilled when she first learned about the development. She said that the school held an assembly that featured School Resource Officer Brian Wilson, members of the fire department, and two former Bruins players, Bob Sweeney and Andrew Ray Croft. They joined together to present the donation to Sanborn and her team.
She noted the major topics discussed during the assembly were health and wellness, as well as talks that were centered around anti–bullying.
“The assembly itself was awesome… They came here to educate kids on the importance of physical health and a mental health component, talking about social emotional learning, being kind, and not being a bystander,” Sanborn said. “It was so positive. We invited 10 kids who were selected to take shots at hockey nets and invited their families if they were able to join. Overall, it was an outstanding community event.”
Sanborn continued that the school is working to determine how best to use the funds to benefit every student.
“I thought the collaboration between the foundation and the community was great. It brought our students excitement about fitness and healthy living,” Superintendent of Schools Jason Calichman said.