6/7/25
Here is our first Carr Foundation scholar Julia Parenteau from Clinton alongside foundation president Dave Carr. Julia is headed to Quinnipiac in the fall to study diagnostic medical sonography. She founded the Gael Giving Tree to help support families in need of Christmas gifts, and among her many accomplishments she was the Student Council President, National Honor Society Member and competitive dancer. Congratulations Julia!
Next is our Carr Foundation scholar Cobbi Okyere Leominster alongside foundation scholarship committee member Amie Alzapiedi. Cobbi is headed to Northeastern in the fall to study finance. Among his many accomplishments he was a Student Senator, National Honor Society Member and captain of the soccer and basketball teams. Congratulations Cobbi!
Here is Carr Foundation scholar Hannah Hartman of Leominster alongside foundation scholarship committee member Joyce Juskalian. Hannah is headed to Johnson and Wales in the fall to study hospitality. Among her many accomplishments she was a dual enrollee with Leominster High School and Fitchburg State University where she has made Dean's list the past 2 years She was a 4 year varsity cheerleader and sang the National Anthem at local, state and regional events. Congratulations Hannah!
Next up is Carr Foundation scholar Leila Hammad-Therrien of Fitchburg alongside foundation scholarship committee member Jasmine Raymond. Leila is headed to UCONN in the fall to study psychology and criminal justice. Among her laundry list of accomplishments, she was the President of both her class and the National Honor Society, and a member of the Spanish Club, Art Club, Acitivism Club and the campus ministry. She also spent a lof of time with special needs children as a volunteer at the Seven Hills Family Support. Congratulations Leila!
Here is our next Carr Foundation scholar Jillian Swinford of Billerica alongside foundation scholarship committee member Kristin Silva. Jillian is headed to Springfield College in the fall to study Occupational Therapy. Jillian was a member of the National Honor Society, the French Honor Society, Girl Scouts and was both a compeitive dancer and Varisty Swimmer. She has spent years volunteering with the Billerica Summer Enrichment Program as well as the Girl Scouts. Congratulations Jillian!
Next up for Carr Foundarion scholars is Stella Luisa of Lancaster, pictured here with scholarship committee member Laura Pagington. Stella is a longtime volunteer with Best Buddies, including leadership roles. She was a 3 sport athlete and also volunteered her time with the Joseph and Leslie Carr Foundation. Stella will be attending Holy Cross in the fall with the goal of becoming a mental health counselor. Congratulations Stella!
Coming up next is our Carr Foundation scholar Richdiana Eng of Lowell, pictured her with scholarship committee member Amy VonKahle. Richdiana has done extensive work for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention including fundraising. Richdiana will be attending Northeastern in the fall to focus on Health Sciences. Congratulations Richdiana!
Here is our Carr Foundation scholar Shiwaum Khera of Dracut (not pictured is our camera shy scholarship committee member Amanda Varga). Shiwaum was the founder of the Indian Cultural Club and as a member of the Dracut String Orchestra has volunteered hundreds of hours teaching kids to play violin. He has volunteered with the Dracut Scholarship Foundation as well as Old Home Day every year in high school. He is headed to Harvard in the fall to study mechanical engineering. Congratulations Shiwaum!
Next up in our Carr Foundation scholars is Maggie Leighton of Leominster, pictured here with scholarship committee member Amie Alzapiedi. Maggie’s exaustive list of volunteer work includes a ton of work as Miss Teen Massachusetts “Play On” initiative to ensure access to music education. She was also a member of the tennis and volleyball teams. Maggie will be attending Harvard in the fall to focus on biochemistry with the intention of being a doctor. Congratulations Maggie!
And last up for our Carr Foundation scholars in 2025 is Jordan D’Amelio of Sterling, pictured here with scholarship committee chair Erika Carr. Jordan has an extensive list of volunteer activities including volunteering with the Special Olympics, Project 351, and coaching youth sports throughout her high school years. Jordan was also the founder of the Wachusett Girls Flag Football team and her team represented New England at the football hall of fame this past year. She was the New England Patriots nominee for the Maxwell Award given to the best female flag football player in the US. Jordan is headed to Providence College in the fall. Congratulations Jordan!
Through the Years
Through the Years
5/22/25
WHEAT meal for May!
Shoutout to friends that are like family that are always willing to help us to help others!
The Laughlin Family (Ashely, Maddie and Shea) stepped up to cook meals for 75 people! We are so grateful!
Wheat Community Connections
Did you know that twice per month The Joseph and Leslie Carr Foundation provides meals to 65 + people through Wheat Community Connections?
Well, what is Wheat exactly and what do they do?
WHEAT Community Connections has served residents of the Greater Clinton area since 1982 and in 2012 became a direct service program of the United Way of Tri-County. WHEAT continues to be a local organization supporting local residents through care, compassion and quality programs and services.
WHEAT Community Café provides homemade lunches for pick up Monday through Friday from 12:30–1:30. The Cafe also provides lunches for delivery to local housing authorities and pick up at our main location Monday through Friday from 12:30pm - 1:30pm. Homemade dinners are served Monday through Friday from 5:00 - 6:00 pm.
Wheat also provides a free food pantry, outdoor market place, case management services and a thrift store. They are an amazing asset to our local community and we are proud to be able to help out.
Once per month we sponsor a meal, providing the necessary funds to assist in feeding 65 + people. For our second meal of the month, a group of friends/family get together to prepare and cook a full meal. Our meatball subs and fries have become a local favorite! Served along with a salad and a tasty cookie, the meals are always very well received.
This month, our friends and longtime contributors, the Miot and Ligon family stepped up to help at WHEAT, pumping out our world renowned meatball subs for those in need. We are thankful for our friends!
Would you like to help us to help others?
Helping us to help others
Through the generosity of those around us, we have been able to help out so many. We frequently fill pantries and diaper banks. We have helped with local drives to provide children with backpacks and school supplies for the new school year. We have helped stock Veteran’s shelters with socks, underwear and other much needed items. We have supplied women’s and children’s shelters with personal products including shampoo, deodorant, feminine hygiene supplies and much more.
We have also been able to purchase larger ticket items that have drastically altered the lives of many. We were able to purchase a mini fridge and restaurant quality meat cutter for Abby’s House in Worcester. We were able to provide Sharing is Caring a restaurant quality refrigerator enabling them to continue to provide for the community. For the Butler school in Lowell, we were able to purchase a washer and dryer along with a year’s worth of detergent. We were stunned to hear students were missing school due to having dirty clothes, or coming to school in wet clothes in the dead of winter because their parent had washed their clothing in the tub and it didn’t dry in time.
We have been working with local school nurses and guidance counselors to supply their offices with snacks and drinks for kids in need. We also helped Monty Tech to stock their new free ‘shop’ where anyone in need can pick up needed items without a question.
One of our largest giving events occurred this past December when we were able to ‘adopt’ 100 children in the state foster system. In an unbelievable show of generosity people bought gifts…and more gifts…and more gifts. Makeup, dolls, bikes, games ..the list goes on and on!
It all began with an idea….
It all begins with an idea.
It all began with an idea. After a few post Thanksgiving beverages Dave floated an idea to start a food basket program locally. Beth, having worked her 300th over night shift in a row, said “sure, sounds great, we will start on it next year.” Dave (being Dave) said “no, this year…”
The plan was to feed 10 families for Christmas in 2019. In 10 days we raised $8K and fed 100 families. The rest is history….or rather the rest has been an insane amount of blood, sweat and tears laying the ground work for what has become a well oiled machine. But none of this could happen without the support of family, friends, loved ones and community. We mean this sincerely, we are so so grateful to you all!
On this blog I will attempt to update you on all the amazing things we are doing. I will also try to post some of the amazing things we have already done! Please be patient, I am certainly not a whiz at this!
Here are some of the amazing people who have volunteered to cook meals over the years at WHEAT in Clinton for the Joseph and Leslie Carr Foundation!
