South Shore Community Action Council, Inc.'s
Board of Directors announces the
Local Heroes Awards Night held on
March 30, 2011
Nominees receive citations for outstanding work in their communities
PLYMOUTH – South Shore Community Action Council, Inc. (SSCAC) hosted its 17h Annual Local Heroes Awards Night last night, sponsored by Rockland Trust Co. and other area businesses. Each year, SSCAC recognizes those individuals and organizations that demonstrate exceptional commitment to improving the lives of low-income South Shore residents. The following 2011 Local Heroes received citations from Congressman William Keating, Senate President Therese Murray, Senator Robert Hedlund, and Representatives Vinny DeMacedo, Thomas Calter, James Cantwell, and Daniel Webster:
The Fragment Society of Plymouth
The Fragment Society of Plymouth was founded in 1818 by a sea captain's wife, Marie de Verdier, to ensure that children of Plymouth had milk and other basics. It is the oldest continuous charitable organization in the country. In these times of economic struggle, the Society's work is as important today as it was nearly 200 years ago. The Society's Board of Directors consists of thirteen members who selflessly and quietly volunteer their time to assist Plymouth residents in need.
Representative: Jane Montanari, Vice President
The Mass. Correctional Institution (MCI) of Plymouth
Each month, the Massachusetts Correctional Institution at Plymouth sends a crew of men to unload food trucked from the Greater Boston Food Bank to the Greater Plymouth Food Warehouse for storage and distribution to 7 South Shore food pantries. With MCI's assistance, the Warehouse is able to maintain this critical lifeline for food insecure South Shore residents. MCI has also built child sized picnic tables and garden tables for the South Shore Early Education program, as well as garden tables for REACH, Inc., an organization serving developmentally disabled adults in Kingston.
Representative: Steven O'Brien, Superintendant
White Cliffs Neighborhood of Plymouth
The White Cliffs Cares Committee demonstrates its generosity of spirit in countless ways from collecting food donations for the Greater Plymouth Food Warehouse during the annual White Cliffs 9-hole golf tournament to making holiday treats for the Council on Aging. The Committee contributes to the quality of life for area families and communities by collecting warm clothing for the Wareham Public Schools, providing gift cards to families at Otis Air Force Base, in Sandwich and Wareham, donating funding for a new hospital at the National Marine Life Center in Buzzards Bay, and much more.
Representative: Barbara Widmayer.
My Brother's Keeper
My Brother's Keeper in Duxbury has provided furniture for needy families in South Shore Early Education for many years. Delivering furniture such as couches, beds, kitchen sets, bureaus, and side chairs to families in need, My Brother's Keeper treats every family with respect and helps to bring the comfort of home to those in need. Representative: Jim Sullivan
Jeanne Hunter-McCartin
Jeanne Hunter-McCartin began volunteering for the Consumer Aid Program at SSCAC in 1985. For the past 5 years, Jeanne has been a strong advocate for consumers, providing effective mediation between merchants and consumers seeking refunds or services. Never one to sit idle, Jeanne also generously offers her volunteer services to other SSCAC programs in her spare time.
Tuckerman Dyer
Tuckerman Dyer has worked as a volunteer for the Consumer Aid Program at SSCAC for ten years through his involvement with Mayflower RSVP (Retired and Senior Volunteer Program). He helps resolve disputes between consumers and merchants, often resulting in refunds or additional, no charge services for consumers. When not working with the Consumer Aid Program, Tuck has also volunteered as a reading partner in the Adult Literacy Program and is currently a volunteer ombudsman in a local nursing home.
Rochelle Smith
As her children were growing up, Rockie Smith dedicated many years to both the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts of Kingston. Even today with her now children grown, she remains active and committed to the Scouts with training and ongoing participation in a wide variety of Committees. Since 1982, Rockie has represented the residents of Kingston on SSCAC's Board of Directors with energy and enthusiasm. She is currently the Board Secretary and Selectmen's Representative for the town of Kingston.
Susan West
Susan West provides services to SSCAC's Newborn Visiting Program for parents of newborns and provides parenting trainings for South Shore Early Education. Whether parents are expecting, caring for a newborn, or raising toddlers, Sue offers a wealth of knowledge and experience in parenting, early literacy, and child development. With patience and understanding, Sue lives every day in service to South Shore families.
About South Shore Community Action Council, Inc.
Since 1965, South Shore Community Action Council has provided a range of critical services to low-income individuals and families on the South Shore of Massachusetts, and has toiled to combat the root causes of poverty in those communities. By strengthening and coordinating existing efforts, its mission is to eliminate poverty along the South Shore by affording everyone in need the opportunities for education, training and work; to live with dignity; to contribute to the full extent of their capabilities; and to participate in the workings of our society.
