Church sponsors Saugus students aid trip to Guatemala

First Congregational Church sponsors Saugus student

Rev. Martha Leahy, center, minister of the First Congregational Church in Saugus, presents a check to Joelle Fabrizio, left, a UMass student who will be traveling to Guatemala to aid families who live in poverty. Also pictured is Cheryl Panico, a member of the churchs Pumpkin Patch committee.

Posted: Tuesday, February 24, 2015 3:00 am

Church sponsors Saugus students aid trip to Guatemala

The First Congregational Church in Saugus Center will help sponsor Saugus resident Joelle Fabrizio, a student at UMass, who will join a group of UMass students traveling to Guatemala to aid families living in poverty conditions. A portion of the money raised from the churchs annual Pumpkin Patch, held every October, is traditionally given to sponsor a person or community group through donations or scholarships.

Fabrizio has donated her spring break time to help those in need in Guatemala as part of UMass Beacon Voyages. Members of the group will aid in the construction of new stoves and ventilation in poverty-stricken homes. As a result of poor ventilation of stoves, many poor Guatemalan women and their children suffer from premature blindness, tuberculosis and a variety of both debilitating and fatal lung conditions. Other projects will also help improve the quality of life of these Guatemalan people who were born in poverty.

Posted in News on Tuesday, February 24, 2015 3:00 am. | Tags: Saugus

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Church sponsors Saugus students aid trip to Guatemala