WEST BOYLSTON — A blanket of wet snow was not enough to dampen the spirits of those gathered April 4 at the West Boylston Senior Center for the Wachusett Area Chamber of Commerce annual Salute Breakfast.
The honorees were Patty and Jim Hurley of Holden, Amy Wesson of Princeton, and members of the West Boylston Fire Department, who were Public Safety Persons of the Year.
The Hurleys were honored as “exemplary role models who live service not simply as a duty, but also as a privilege.”
Jim was a police officer for 40 years and Patty was a teacher and school administrator in the Wachusett Regional School system for 35 years.
Jim founded the nonprofit 4Others Inc. in 2019.
“Jim began by distributing hygiene products and baked items at Veterans Inc. Jeremiah’s Inn and Harbor House were soon added to his weekly stops.”
“Under Jim and Patty’s care, 4Others Inc. now provides hygiene products, baked goods, hats, mittens/gloves, Bombas socks, Cocotree Kids underpants, and other donated items to more than 20 agencies within Worcester County. In 2023, 7.2 tons of baked goods, and 7.3 tons of hygiene products were distributed, aided by $6,100 in grants and $78,786 in donated products.
“For their generosity of spirit and time, for a lifetime of paying it forward, for giving others the opportunity to share their time, talent, and treasure, we salute Jim and Patty Hurley.”
While the inclement weather kept Amy Wesson at home with her children, the chamber still read out her accolades and displayed the plaque she received.
“With a heart of gold, endless compassion, and an affinity for helping others, Amy couldn’t close her eyes to the many stories on Facebook that revealed the difficulties people living near to her were experiencing,” read the chamber salute.
“Initially, when Amy read of people going through a difficult time, she would find out what they needed and make donations out of pocket. But her pockets weren’t deep enough. Soon her friends jumped in to help; then she began seeking donations on Facebook.
“In 2019 she teamed up with Judy McDonald Reardon who is like-minded and focused on people in need in the Fitchburg area. Together they offer a vast network of resources and community support.
“Some people post their situation to Facebook, others contact Amy directly. Once she has determined the legitimacy of their story, she reaches out to the community via Facebook to help meet the person’s need. The recipient remains anonymous.”
“For your commitment to community, your compassion for people, and your unwavering, tireless efforts to make Facebook a viable way to be a village for those in need, we thank you, we honor you and we salute you, Amy Wesson.
In addition to the Hurleys and Wesson, West Boylston Fire Department Lt. Daniel Plante and firefighters Eric Larson, Thomas J. McCormack and William Nicholson were named Public Safety Persons of the Year. They were nominated by West Boylston Fire Chief Mark Sadowski in recognition of their work in Leominster during the flooding of Sept. 11, 2023.
