December 20, 2019 by Hilary Jenison (photos courtesy of Gretchen Amonte and Bob Beal)
Above photo caption: Avery Amonte (Left) and her sister, Grace Amonte (right) hold homemade signs for Avery’s Hot Chocolate Stand to raise money to defray the cost of shipping for holiday care packages for our Troops.
On Saturday, December 21st Avery Amonte (a second grader at Plymouth River School (PRS)), will be hosting a Hot Chocolate Stand with the help of her sister, Grace Amonte (a first grader at PRS) to raise funds to help cover the shipping costs of care packages for local servicemen and women who are deployed serving our country this holiday season.
In October, Avery’s Girl Scout Troop helped to package up 217 care packages of Halloween candy at First Baptist Church. Avery overheard her mother, Gretchen Amonte, a math teacher at Hingham Middle School and a Girl Scout Troop Leader, talking to Judy Margetts about the $3,900 cost to ship the Halloween care packages. Realizing the high cost, Avery was upset and determined to help more. She was persistent in asking if she could have a hot chocolate stand to help raise money for postage for care packages. Joy Thompson, the First Baptist Church Coordinator, was so appreciative because the cost of Halloween postage wiped out their bank account, and she wasn't sure if they’d be able to afford sending Christmas care packages this year. Thus, Avery’s Hot Chocolate Stand was born after receiving approvals from the Downtown Association, DPW, HPD, Board of Health, and the Board of Selectmen.
“Matt and I are both tremendously proud of Avery and her thoughtful initiative to help raise money for care package postage,” said Gretchen Amonte. “This was entirely her idea and she was persistent in asking us to help her have it come to fruition. Of course, we had to oblige! We are already overwhelmed by the support of the community and we are looking forward to seeing what Saturday brings.”
Avery’s Hot Chocolate Stand will be open TOMORROW - Saturday, December 21 from 11am-2pm on the Main Street sidewalk between Winston's Flowers and J. McLaughlin. This is the same time as the hayrides through the Square.
The hot chocolate is free but donations to help cover the cost of shipping holiday care packages are graciously accepted. They will also have empty care package boxes for the kids to color on, decorate, and write messages to the soldiers.
Photo Above: Commanding Officer, LT John W. Beal, was HHS 2007 Graduate) received FBC CARE PKGS for distribution to the Crews of the 6 USCG Island Class Cutters supporting the 5th Naval Fleet Operations.
“I know what it meant to our son, John, when he was assigned w/ US Coast Guard PATFORSWA in the Persian Gulf to receive care packages from home, shared Bob Beal, Hingham Resident and Vietnam Veteran. “The packages from home were such an important Morale item whenever they returned from Patrol in the North Arabian Gulf. You can help to bring a ‘piece of home’ to our servicemen and women standing the watch this holiday season – freedom is not free.”
So, while you’re out doing your last minute shopping in the Square tomorrow – don’t forget to stop by Avery’s Hot Chocolate Stand to support her mission to help our local troops! And, if you can’t make it tomorrow you can still make a donation via http://soldierscarepackages.com.
W/ CO from NEW ENGLAND AQUIDNECK always showed their Support to its TEAMS. John Beal returned Home May 2018 and presently assigned 'Plank Owner' CO FRC USCGC TERRELL HORNE WPC 113I , San Pedro, CA.