District News

Benefit for students going on Guatemala medical mission slated for Sunday

 

Jan. 26, 2012

 

Canajoharie High School seniors Morgan Jacksland and Alyssa Paratore are two of 14 local residents heading on a medical mission to Guatemala, and are taking part in a benefit to raise money and supplies at 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 29, at Mercato, 38 W. Main St., Canajoharie.

St. Johns-St. Marks Lutheran Church in Canajoharie organized the trip, which runs from Feb. 10-20. The group plans to provide medical services to patients who rarely see a doctor, and to help the residents with construction.

Morgan said she plans to work with children and help with activities in the pharmacy.

“I wanted to go after seeing what happened with the local floods and how so many people’s houses were destroyed. I realized people were living through that every day, not just a few months out of the year,” she said. “We want to help them live a healthier life and get the help that they deserve.”

Alyssa – who has been a member of the church most of her life – said the opportunity to help out is not something many people get a chance to do. And it’s an opportunity she looks forward to.

“I think it’s great to help people and to get to learn about different cultures,” she said. “This is something that I will remember and it will also look good when applying to college.”

High school guidance counselor Douglas Morrissey praised both students for taking time out of their schedules for a noble cause.

“These are two students who do very well in school and want to give back,” he said. “Trips like this usually put things in perspective and show us that not everyone in the world has the same opportunities.”

Tickets for the benefit/take-out spaghetti dinner are $10. You can purchase them at the door or in advance by calling the restaurant at 461-4411.