News

Merrimac: Teens plan fast to raise funds for World Vision

By Robin Thomas
Correspondent
Published: April 22, 2008

MERRIMAC — For 30 hours during the coming weekend, some 40 to 80 teenagers will be participating in a "30-Hour Famine." They will go without food for 30 hours, except for lemonade and iced tea, fasting from lunch on Friday until a late dinner on Saturday.

Roger Proulx, of 18 West Main St., is coordinating the local effort. Proulx said the outreach to teens "started out with having a packet about it on my kitchen table. We have a core group of about 20 kids who are excited about the event."

The project involves approximately 15 teens from Merrimac, including his daughter Sarah, 16, and son Isaiah, 18.

The purpose of the 30-Hour Famine is to raise money to sponsor children through World Vision, a Christian humanitarian organization that also builds infrastructure and provides education in Third World countries.

"The kids have to be creative and come up with their own ways" to raise money, he said.

One of the ways the teens will raise money is from a concert on Friday at the Grace Ministries International Church in Brentwood, N.H.

Proulx points out that for those who cannot participate in the fasting, "Even coming out to the concert would be great. It will be fun, and it's a fundraiser for the event."

The concert is open to the public and will include Haverhill band Berlin Walls, with band member and Merrimac resident Rachel Reed. Suggested donation is $3.

The weekend of helping others will also include a community service project in Merrimac. On Saturday, the teenagers will conduct a yard cleanup at the former senior center on School Street.

For more information or to participate, contact Proulx at 978-973-0141 or roger@thesoulfest.com.