For Immediate Release

Monday, Oct. 1, 2018

Media Contact: Benjamin Paulin
Phone: 781-428-3299
Email: ben@jgpr.net

King Philip Student’s Project Gives Thanks to Local First Responders and Military Members

WRENTHAM — When Samantha Asprelli was challenged to come up with a project to honor local first responders and military members on the anniversary of 9/11, her plan was to get as much help as possible.

The result?

Forty friends, neighbors and teachers went to her house for a day over the summer to make more than 125 cards and 14 trays of baked goods to be given to Wrentham police officers and firefighters. They also delivered wish list items (such as instant lemonade, coffee and energy drinks) to be donated to soldiers overseas and gift cards for local veterans through the Massachusetts Military Heroes Fund.

Asprelli, a 14-year-old King Philip Regional High School freshman from Wrentham, is her hometown’s ambassador for Project 351. Project 351 is a non-profit group that seeks to empower 8th grade students from all 351 Massachusetts cities and towns through community-service projects.

“I really wanted to show everyone that if people get together they can really make a difference,” Asprelli said. “I have a lot of respect for our first responders and the military and it was really great being able to help them and show our appreciation for everything they do.”

On the weekend before 9/11, Samantha dropped off the handmade cards and baked goods at the Wrentham Police and Fire Station. She also showed the police officers and firefighters a tribute video that she made featuring several community teens and children thanking them for their service.

“They loved it. A group of friends and I went to drop everything off and I gave a speech to the police and firefighters to say thank you,” Asprelli said. “They really enjoyed the video we made for them.”

On Sept. 11, Samantha went into Boston and joined her fellow Project 351 ambassadors to put care packages together for military members serving overseas.

Through the course of working on her project Samantha was able to raise $230 that was donated to the Massachusetts Military Heroes Fund.

“It’s great that you have a student who really took the ideas she had and invested fully in doing good work for others and that she involved her friends,” said Susan Gilson Assistant Superintendent and KP Middle School Principal. “She really stepped up and did something for the community and I think that’s great.”

For Asprelli, her time as an ambassador for Project 351 will be coming to an end at the end of the year. But she plans to continue contributing to the program by completing community service projects whenever she can.

“I wasn’t born when 9/11 happened but it’s still very important to remember the sacrifices that were made by first responders that day and to support our military members,” Asprelli said.

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