Town of West Boylston 200th Anniversary Celebration

By Sandy Meindersma BANNER CORRESPONDENT
The Banner - www.weeklybanner.com

WEST BOYLSTON — The Bicentennial Committee is asking for the adults in town to do their part to help fund the year-long celebration.

Not a lot, but just enough to honor the town’s 200 year history.

On behalf of the committee, member Jack McCormick sent a letter to each family in town asking for 200 pennies from each adult, in recognition of each year that West Boylston has been a town.

"Checks may be made out to the Friends of the West Boylston Bicentennial and dropped off at town hall or mailed to the town clerk’s office at 127 Hartwell Street. All donations are tax deductible."

“People have been wonderful so far,” McCormick said. “We’ve raised over $6,000. One person donated a dollar for each year of the town.”

McCormick said the committee decided to ask for the 200 pennies, because it was something everyone could do.

“Everyone can find 200 pennies,” he said. “The senior citizens have been great. They come in with their little bags of pennies and they’re delighted to give.”

McCormick said the committee is still accepting donations of pennies, as well as cash and check contributions.

“We’ll accept them up until the end,” he said.

Checks may be made out to the Friends of the West Boylston Bicentennial and dropped off at town hall or mailed to the town clerk’s office at 127 Hartwell St. All donations are tax deductible.

McCormick said the committee is keeping a log of the donations and that all donors will be noted in a historic book.

The penny appeal was sent only to residents, not businesses, since the businesses were asked to support the Bicentennial celebration through corporate sponsorships.

“We’re only asking the adults to give,” McCormick said. “But if the kids want to give their pennies, we’ll take them.”

Upcoming events for the Bicentennial include the annual Memorial Day celebration, followed by the Revolutionary War re-enactment on June 7.