Westborough Civic Club’s new president encourages community involvement

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By Andrew Strecker, Senior Community Reporter

(l to r) Bill Strohsnitter, Joe Watts, Walter Leslie and Ron Slingerland at the Civic Club’s Christmas tree sale. Photo/submitted
(l to r) Bill Strohsnitter, Joe Watts, Walter Leslie and Ron Slingerland at the Civic Club’s Christmas tree sale. Photo/submitted

Westborough – The Westborough Civic Club’s new president, Walter Leslie, likes to interact with his neighbors and to see the positive impact the club’s donations have in the town.

Leslie, a 20-year resident of Westborough, said his involvement with the club began when his sons were Scouts in Troop 4.

“We volunteered each year to unload, cut strings and price the trees arriving at the annual Civic Club Christmas tree sale,” he said.

The club’s annual Christmas tree sale is its primary fundraiser.

“Five years ago, when my youngest son went off to college, I joined the club, as I had really enjoyed helping and the club members I met,” explained Leslie, who is married with two sons and is an engineering manager.

From there, Leslie served as club secretary for three years and last year as vice president.

Leslie said the bulk of the club’s approximately 40 donations each year are voted on by membership and support a wide variety of new and ongoing programs by other nonprofit organizations. Recently, the club donated $10,000 to the Westborough High School (WHS) Rangers on Track project, a $4 million major renovation project for WHS’s stadium and track. The club also provides $1,000 scholarships to five graduating seniors at WHS and one to an Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School senior.

The club also uses the tree sale money to put on its annual Fishing Challenge held at Minuteman Park. This year’s free event, held May 12, had over 150 participants.

“I really highly recommend to others joining the Civic Club. Helping people buy a tree or wreath is a fun way to interact with our neighbors and share what is usually a joyous time.”

To learn more about the club, find them on Facebook (@westboroughcivicclub), on the web at WestboroCivicClub.com, or email [email protected].

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