In memory of a fellow student

Dayana Carlson and Tara Cucchiara COUTRESY PHOTO On Saturday, Sept. 27, at a Fall Fair in Leominster a table will be manned by 9-year-old Emma Cucchiara.

Emma has been busily making arts and crafts to sell at the fair to raise money for the Rachel Lee Memorial Fund. Rachel was a student at the J.R. Briggs Elementary School in Ashburnham. She would have entered fifth grade this year, but lost her battle with brain cancer in August.

"My husband teaches at Briggs Elementary and we were both deeply saddened by the loss of this little girl who is close in age to our own daughter. We can't even imagine how parents can move on after losing a child. Emma loves to plan and organize and loves art just like Rachel did so we felt that raising money for Rachel was the right thing to do," Tara Cucchiara explained.

All the proceeds from Emma's art table will go directly to the trust fund in Rachel's name, which will fund art programs at J.R. Briggs Elementary.

The Lee family was the beneficiaries of the Annual Hockey Benefit Game between the local police officers and the area teachers in March 2008.

The fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 27, at the Leominster Lodge of Elks, 134 North Main St.

This event will also feature at least two other fundraisers. Dayana Carlson, one of the organizers, suggested to Cucchiara, the other organizer, that they tie a food drive into the fair to help out Ginny's Thrift Shop and Food Pantry in Leominster.

"I thought it was a great idea and met with Ginny to ask for her consent. She said she'd 'be honored'." Cucchiara said.

Carlson and Cucchiara are asking the public to bring in canned goods or dollar donations in return for raffle tickets. Raffle baskets will be filled with a variety of items and gift certificates donated by the participants in the fair and by local businesses. All money raised will go directly to help local seniors pay for heat this winter. Food donations needed - Macaroni and cheese, canned meats, canned tomato sauce, soups, baked beans, pasta (please no cake or bread mixes; no baby food or formula).

Cucchiara says she is looking forward to this event and couldn't have done it without Carlson, who really embraced the idea from the beginning.

"I can't wait to meet all the vendors. Some of the participants responded to Dayana's ad on Craig's list, so I haven't even met them in person, just via email or phone. I am especially pleased by the variety of crafters and companies represented, it is a great mix."

Both women encourage people to attend and support members of their community.

Businesses to be represented at the fair are as follows: Lia Sophia Jewelry, Sophia's Totes-Handmade Bags, Stampin' Up, Yoga Seedlings, Creative Memories, Big Fish Video Production, Melaleuca-The Wellness Co., Usborne Books, Arbonne, Girouard Photography, Newton Illustrations, Pampered Chef, Discovery Toys, Scentral Mass Soaps, Bonnie Stone Realtor, Crocheting/Knitting by Jan, Tastefully Simple, and Candlecart.