By Joan F. Simoneau, Community Reporter
Marlborough – In true holiday spirit, Marlborough Firefighters are providing holiday dinners to several low-income families who do not have financial resources to buy their own. For the past three years, they have done all the shopping in local markets and assembled the meals in the classroom of the central fire station. Deliveries are made the weekend before the holiday.
“This is something we feel could benefit local people who could not otherwise afford to host a family dinner of this size,” said William Taylor, president of the local 1714 IAFF. “It is a way to give back to the community that we live and work in.”
Firefighter Bob Dolan is chair of the project that provides 20-25 meals each Thanksgiving and Christmas for veterans and other local families in need. Recipients are selected by local veterans’ organizations and housing administrators.
“All funds are approved by the Local 1714 IAFF membership and appropriated from our general fund,” said Taylor.
In addition to the holiday meal program, Marlborough Firefighters support the annual Evening of Giving that benefits Roland’s House; the Marlborough-Hudson homeless shelter; youth and high school sports; civic fundraisers, scholarships to local students; and the Muscular Dystrophy Association.