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On May 15th, FMS members volunteered at the Family Pantry of Cape Cod to support the cleaning of the garden and preparation / planting for the current year. The Family Pantry of Cape Cod is a non-profit, non-denominational organization dedicated to serving the needs of the less fortunate of Cape Cod. The Family Pantry of Cape Cod works to not only provide people with food but also to make sure that they primarily stock nutritious food items. Recent studies have shown a link between poverty, obesity and pre-diabetic health issues. In 2011, the Family Pantry built a production garden in back of the Pantry and are now able to provide fresh vegetables and fruits to their clients. All produce grown in the garden is harvested and brought in to the Pantry for distribution to their clients.

On May 15th, FMS members volunteered at the Merrimack Valley Habitat for Humanity! With each home we build for our deserving families, we not only change their lives, but we change whole communities. Homeownership is a leading indicator in financially stabilizing a family, and just as important, it also creates an investment in the neighborhood where the family then resides.

"Ten laborers from FMS Boston removed concrete slabs, dug up tree roots, and dug post holes as preparation for installing a handicap ramp at a home in Methuen. Heavy lifting here! We burned all of the calories from a delicious lunch from local restaurant BaDaBing that was provided by FMS (Denise "Digger" Carbone). Our foreman, Dave Lee, gave us the rest of the day off after we finished all of the tasks by 2:00. What a team!"

- Steve McHugh

Led by the Western Massachusetts/Connecticut FMS liaison, Brian Canina, on May 15th, FMS members volunteered at the Children's Study Home in Springfield, MA! The Children's Study Home is dedicated to partnering with families, by providing innovative and educational programs and services, that strengthen children and families, empowering them to succeed at home, within the community and throughout life. Our volunteers helped organize and clean the playrooms and community closet at the Family Center and repainted the pavement on their outdoor basketball court at The School. The Children's Study Home shared this heartfelt message to the team:

Subject: We can't thank you enough!

Dear Brian, Kandy and Day of Caring team Canina, I cannot thank you enough for the time and effort that you put into making the family center look and feel so great yesterday. From the immaculate playrooms, to the community closet and the refreshed basketball court, you can tell that people care about and respect the families served there. The boys from the cottage asked me yesterday, who did this for us? I know I don't have to tell you, for our children to feel that someone did something for them is incredibly special and not as common as anyone of us would like.

Please extend my thanks to everyone as I don't have their emails and know that what you did yesterday meant so much, not only to the Children's Study Home team, but to the children and families who will experience the results of the time and effort you gave us
Thank you again and again we appreciate so much all you achieved yesterday!

Best,

Eliza