Youth Services Names March RAY of Hope Recipients

Trio nominated for their work assembling a swim-a-thon to help in Haiti.

Submitted by Needham Youth Services Penny Gordon nominated Samantha Distler, Aliza Bloostein and Beth Gordon for the RAY of Hope award for their work in assembling a swim-a-thon in 2010 to raise funds to help disaster relief work in Haiti after a very powerful and devastating earthquake struck Haiti.   In 2011, the girls also participated in a second swim-a-thon to benefit a Japanese relief fund to aid victims of the tsunami. They met six years ago on their swim team and have been friends ever since.  Distler, Bloostein and Gordon are long-time members of the Karishim Swim Club, a competitive swim team at the Jewish Community Center in Newton that is devoted to developing strong values, building self esteem and enabling swimmers ages 8-17 …

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Whiz Kids

Needham Grad Earns RAY of Hope Honor

Sean O'Connor kept busy with sports, volunteer work and Mandarin studies while in high school.

Sean O’Connor, a recent Needham High School graduate, received Needham Youth Services' RAY of Hope award for the month of June. O'Connor was nominated for the award by Chanie Krinsky, who leads the Friendship Circle program in Needham, where O'Connor has been a volunteer for four years.  O'Connor has been captain of the cross country, indoor and outdoor track teams at Needham High School and participated on these teams during all four years. He was vice-president of Needham High School’s National Honor Society this year and was a member of the National Chinese Honor Society as well. He just finished his fourth year studying Mandarin, which he hopes to continue studying at college. In his sophomore year, O'Connor went to China for 10 days …

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Whiz Kids

Rising Senior Receives RAY of Hope Honor

Needham teen recognized by Youth Services and the Needham Business Association for her efforts with Best Buddies.

Rising Needham High School senior Alison Smith received the RAY of Hope honor for the month of May and is being recognized as this week’s Needham Patch Whiz Kid. The Recognize A Youth program, or RAY of Hope, was created by Needham Youth Services in association with the Needham Business Association and recognizes youth who have performed outstanding service the Needham community and who are excellent role models for their peers through their actions. Smith, a member of the Class of 2012, was recognized for her work with the Best Buddies organization—a group that helps to create friendships with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities—and the STRIVE special education program. With the start of the new school year, Smith will…

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