![25 Years of a Day of Thanks]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1544131434/brewsteracademyorg/xgq9i1riklghdk11sl7y/BG-KidsPost.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1544131434/brewsteracademyorg/xgq9i1riklghdk11sl7y/BG-KidsPost.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1544131434/brewsteracademyorg/xgq9i1riklghdk11sl7y/BG-KidsPost.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1544131434/brewsteracademyorg/xgq9i1riklghdk11sl7y/BG-KidsPost.jpg","width":860}])
This past Thanksgiving, Brewster trustee Ronn Bronzetti ’92 participated in the annual trek to the Boston Rescue Mission led by our own BG Hodges ’66, who has unassumingly piloted this group effort for 25 years. Ronn took the opportunity to interview BG and capture the motivation of his efforts and a little historic reflection. We weren’t the only ones that recognized this remarkable dedication – you will find a link to the article that the Boston Globe wrote about our own BG Hodges.
RB: Good morning, BG. I'm excited to talk to you this morning about your involvement with the Boston Rescue Mission. Can you tell us a little bit about the non-profit, what they do, and who it helps?
BGH: The Boston Rescue Mission (BRM) was founded in 1899 and has been caring for the poor and homeless since then. BRM takes in hurt and pretty broken people and works with them to meet their physical, spiritual, and emotional needs. Over time, the people get into recovery, gradually find apartments and employment, and basically get back into the game.
RB: Tell me, if you would, how Brewster first got involved with BRM?
BGH: Sure. In 1992, my oldest daughter was part of a church group and came down to BRM to volunteer. Initially, I was a little nervous about sending my 16-year old daughter to Boston to stay at a homeless shelter, but we eventually let her go. Afterward, she came back to us and said, “We've got to go down there next year!” At the time, I was running a small youth group at a local church in Wolfeboro. So the next year, seven of us drove to Boston (the weekend before Thanksgiving) for the Day of Thanks, which is a Thanksgiving dinner for about 500 people. It was our responsibility to do all of the meal preparations for those people who were depending on us. And they asked us to return the next year. And now it's been 25 years that we have been coming back for this.
RB: Tremendous! Tell us a little more about how Brewster students have supported the Boston Rescue Mission.
BGH: I think it was in 1998 that I first started incorporating Brewster kids with my youth group until gradually it became all Brewster kids coming down. Our job has been to serve as the primary preparation team for the Day of Thanks Thanksgiving dinner. In addition to preparing the full traditional turkey dinner, the students clean the kitchen, clear out a sleeping area, and prepare between 150 and 250 food baskets that are given away after the meal. We have to come down to Boston ready to work because hundreds and hundreds of hungry people are literally depending on our efforts. What’s been really nice is that a number of Brewster students who participated on this service trip have continued to return even after graduating from Brewster. The experience at BRM is always meaningful –probably more meaningful than the students first realize. The work that we do at BRM is a significant community service as there are real consequences if we are not ready because 500 people or so will show up depending on our work. So it's real-time community service.
RB: BG, what do you think the students draw from this program? And what are some of the ways that you feel this is most impactful for the students themselves?
BGH: Well, like I said, I think that this is true community service in that the Brewster students can see the immediate results of their work. The people who are residents here at the Boston Rescue Mission, really, really appreciate Brewster being here. These are people who are generally out of detox and trying very hard to get their lives back together. They love to see young people who want to help them. It's an inspiration to those people. And for the Brewster kids to see people who have gotten to this point, you know, really struggling, it’s an important lesson that we're all alike. Misfortune could happen to any of us. So, I think if students can understand that they are really meeting a need – not scraping gum off tables or painting buses – their service is truly impacting lives!
RB: Absolutely. BG, as you're planning to retire at the end of this school year, what are your plans for this tradition of service between Brewster and BRM that you started over 25 years ago?
BGH: Well…it is my true hope that it does continue. I think I have someone who's ready to take over this mission trip. We'll see, we'll know in a month or two. I know that having an experienced team to take on this weekend is really very helpful to the mission here. So I'd very much like to see this continue. And we've got a great reputation for effective hard work here. The BRM knows that we know how to do the job and that our students are hardworking and reliable.
RB: Thank you, BG. This has been a real honor to be with you and the students. I'm inspired by your good work, and thank you for all you do for Brewster!
BG with Mary James '20
Jack Sengstaken '14 was invited by BG to attend the annual trip during his junior year at Brewster. He has returned every year since and tells Ronn about his experience:
RB: Good morning, Jack. What year did you graduate from Brewster?
JS: I graduated in 2014.
RB: Great. And can you tell me a little bit about your involvement with the Boston Rescue Mission, how you got involved as a student-- and why you're still involved now as an alum?
JS: Absolutely. When I came to Brewster my junior year, I got involved in the Faith Community club. This seemed like a very good way to practice my spirituality while also making friends. It also allowed me to have mentors available to me. When BG invited me to go to the Boston Rescue Mission, I was kind of uncertain about it at first, but I agreed, and it was an incredible learning experience! And so I've returned every single year because not only do I enjoy, you know, helping people, but I’ve learned so much on this trip. This trip has helped me grow as a person, make new friends, and has given me perspective on other people's lives. And I really think that's incredibly valuable.
RMB: That's incredible, Jack. Can you share a few thoughts about how Brewster has helped you as an alum?
JS: Absolutely. Brewster was a place of enormous growth for me. And I think a big part of that was right here at the Boston Rescue Mission. It's going on this trip and having these kinds of experiences that I had never had before. That's what has been so valuable. Since I've graduated from BA, what I've learned is that the people that impacted you the most while you're at Brewster, will continue to impact you after as well. Mr. Hodges was not only one of my best teachers at Brewster, but also I've continued to learn from him after graduating; that's why I’ve continued to come back to this program every single year.
BG with Jack Sengstaken '14
Cover Photo: BG with all of his children who surprised him by showing up at the BSR for his 25th year.
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