ORANGE — Six students will be receiving $500 each for college thanks to some Mahar alumni who were once in their place.
The Mahar 50Plus Club — a group of people from the Ralph C. Mahar Regional School’s graduating classes of 1958 through 1967 — held a reunion on Sept. 15, raising just over $3,000 from a silent auction, lottery ticket raffle, donations and ticket sales.
“The Silent Auction was a successful fundraiser at the Mahar 50Plus reunion recently,” said Mahar 50Plus Club committee member and reunion organizer Maureen Riendeau in a statement.
Each year, the reunion — this year, held at the Boiler Bar and Grille at 245 Tully Road — benefits the Orange Scholarship Foundation, which provides scholarships to high school seniors and graduates of the Ralph C. Mahar Regional School and the Franklin County Technical School. This summer, the foundation provided $54,800 in scholarships to 65 current-year students and newly graduated alumni.
“A Patriots lamp donated by Wayne Sanborn, (class of) ‘67, from Champ Concepts drew the highest price, while other items donated by each of the classes made for some lively bidding,” she added.
Other items at the auction included themed baskets with wine, maple syrup and Orange memorabilia, as well as a 1980s golf-themed quilt, Christmas plates and cups.
According to Mahar 50Plus Club member and reunion organizer Muriel Holden, the club stipulates that donations to the Orange Scholarship Foundation must be broken down and given out as scholarships in $500 increments.
While she said she recognizes that $500 isn’t much when it comes to paying for higher education, students appreciate any amount of money when looking to fund and obtain a college degree.
“I distinctly remember when I got out of high school. I didn’t go to college because I didn’t have the money, but I did go to business school, and had to work two jobs just to put myself through that,” Holden said before the reunion. “And today, the prices for colleges are just astronomical.”
The reunion, which was started in 2010, is designed to be a fun social event for people from multiple Mahar graduating classes, Holden said, while also lending a hand to the younger generations.
“It’s turned into something just wonderful,” Holden said.
Mahar 50Plus Club Committee members have already met to discuss the 2019 reunion, and are planning on holding it at the Orange Armory. Those who wish to get involved with the club or reunion, and people with suggestions, should contact Holden at 978-249-9313.