By MAUREEN DOHERTY
NORTH READING — An easy unanimous decision for the Select Board to make was proclaiming March 10-13 “Dollars for Scholars Week” in North Reading.
DFS President Kathy Acciavatti made her annual pitch to the Select Board at last week’s meeting as the volunteer members of the nonprofit gear up to combine forces with North Reading students for the organizations’s annual Dollars for Scholars Phone-a-Thon.
Students will volunteer their time at NRHS from 6-8:30 p.m. each night to call members of the community, explain the scholarship fundraiser, and ask for donations next Monday, March 10 through Thursday, March 13.
The Phone-a-Thon is the main fundraiser for the organization’s scholarships that benefit North Reading seniors and post-graduate college students. All funds raised from the Phone-a-Thon directly benefit scholarship awards.
First organized over 60 years ago as the Citizens’ Scholarship Foundation, Acciavatti told the board that DFS has provided more than $1 million in scholarships to the town’s students since 1963.
Amy Sonia added that all North Reading students are eligible to apply for a scholarship from DFS, including those who attend Northeast Metro Tech in Wakefield or other private high schools. Post-graduates from North Reading can also apply for scholarships.
Students who are seniors and juniors in high school will earn community service hours for the time they spend volunteering for the phone-a-thon. For more information or to sign up students may visit the main office at NRHS or contact NRdollarsforscholars@gmail.com
Donors may mail their pledges directly to: North Reading Dollars for Scholars, PO Box 529, North Reading, MA 01864.
DFS also provides opportunities for endowment funds to be created in the names individuals, organizations and businesses. Contact them for more information about this process.
To apply for a scholarship or for more information about the organization visit: https://northreading.dollarsforscholars.org.