YMCA Executive Director Jamey Mullen and 8th grade Social Studies teacher Matt Dowling reward local students with free Y membership for Christmas. (Submitted photo)(Submitted Photo)

NORWICH – Santa Claus arrived in early December at the Norwich Family YMCA and purchased three Middle School Memberships anonymously to be given to students that could directly benefit from a Y membership.
YMCA Executive Director Jamey Mullen, contacted 8th grade Social Studies teacher, Matt Dowling for some assistance.


Mr. Dowling worked with Middle School teachers and administrators to find three students that have been working hard, being good role models, making good choices, and showing signs of character.
On Wednesday afternoon, Harley Lockwood and Dominic Smith had a chance to meet Mr. Mullen as he presented their Y memberships to them.


Mullen said "That it's hard work being a student during these troubling times and its even harder being a student trying to do the right thing all the time.”
Harley and Dominic were being recognized for their hard work and doing the right things even when no one was watching.


Thank you Mr. Dowling and the Norwich Middle School for working with the YMCA on this little project and of course thank you to our Santa Claus who allowed us to recognize two of our three recipients at this time.


–From the Norwich Middle School