Manchester Essex Middle School Students Raise $2,200 in Dodgeball Fundraiser for Family in Need

MANCHESTER – Superintendent Pamela Beaudoin and Principal Joanne Maino are pleased to share that Manchester Essex Middle School students participated in a dodgeball tournament and raised more than $2,000 for a local family that lost their home to a fire in early February.  

The fundraiser took place onFeb. 16 at Manchester Essex Middle School to close out the school day and was open to all students. 

On a frigid day in the beginning of February, an Essex family of seven was faced with the unimaginable, a sweeping fire blazing through their home. 

With temperatures in the low 30’s and a wind speed of 14 mph, fire departments and mutual aid crews worked tirelessly to control the flames but were unable to salvage the property. 

Ultimately, the family’s two-story home burned down. Thankfully no one was hurt, but the home was a total loss.

When the students and faculty at Manchester Essex Middle School heard that a fire left one of their classmates homeless, they jumped into action.

Students, teachers, and faculty worked to coordinate a school-wide dodgeball game to raise money to purchase clothing and personal items. 

“This event served not only as a fundraiser, but as a much-needed opportunity for community building as well,” said teacher Janda Ricci-Munn, who facilitated the event with teacher Cori Krajewski. “We are extremely proud of our students. They showed compassion and embodied our core values here at Manchester Essex. They are consistently helping others every day and when they had an opportunity to help their classmate and her family on a larger scale they didn’t think twice about getting to work.” 

The dodgeball games started with grade-level tournaments, and students teamed up and faced off on two courts. The winning teams advanced to the final round. 

In the afternoon, a select group of students from the sixth, seventh, and eighth grades faced off against the middle school teaching staff for a full-court dodgeball game. The teachers were no match and students took home the title of champion.  

Students and faculty raised $2,200 that went directly to the family, who have received an outpouring of support from the Manchester and Essex communities.  

“We at Manchester Essex are committed to helping our community at large and we are proud of our students for coming together to make a difference,” said Principal Maino. “I would like to thank Ms. Krajewski and Mr. Ricci-Munn for their help in coordinating this supportive event. We are a strong community.”

###