Page 10 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, January 7, 2022 INAUGURAL | FROM PAGE 1 right away explained that the evening’s affair would still feature the official swearing-in ceremony for members of the Malden City Council and Malden School Committee – minus some of the traditional “pomp” and Malden glitz – that customarily comes on this night. The entire ceremony was livestreamed in real time on the City of Malden’s Facebook page for those who wished to view it from their homes or their devices. The Mayor took the opportunity to commend and acknowledge the value and sacrifices of the community during the COVID-19 pandemic – now beginning its third year – which led to the scaled-down version of the Inaugural Ceremony. “While the challenges continue, the resolve of our community remains,” Mayor Christenson said, thanking those who were being sworn in for their service, along with family, friends and supporters attending either in person or virtually. “I thank the community of Malden for working collaboratively in this once-in-a-lifetime pandemic to help keep us safe and moving forward,” Mayor Christenson added. In a substantive change from traditional ceremonies, in a bow to the first Inauguration since the COVID-19 pandemic was declared in 2020, all of the City Councillors and School Committee members were sworn in on the stage – individually – by City Clerk Greg Lucey. In previous election years, all of those to be sworn in were seated together on stage. One-by-one the elected officials were called up, bereft of the “traditional tuxedos” and evening gowns, but many of the men wore gray business suits. Some officials appeared alone to take the oaths, others were accompanied by spouses, parents or other family members or friends. Sworn in Monday night were City Councillors Karen Colón Hayes (at-large), Carey McDonald (at-large), Craig Spadafora (at-large), Peg Crowe (Ward 1), Paul Condon (Ward 2), Amanda Linehan (Ward 3), Ryan O’Malley The Foundation Trust Challenge Match to Support Bread of Life’s Backpack Nutrition Program J Mayor Gary Christenson addresses the attendees at the 2022 Inaugural Ceremonies of Malden City Government at the MHS Jenkins Auditorium on Monday. (Ward 4), Barbara Murphy (Ward 5), Stephen Winslow (Ward 6), Chris Simonelli (Ward 7) and Jadeane Sica (Ward 8). Councillors Colón Hayes, McDonald and Simonelli are new to the City Council; all the other Councillors were reelected in November. Sworn in to the Malden School Committee were Michael Drummey (Ward 1), Robert McCarthy Jr. (Ward 2), Jennifer Spadafora (Ward 3), Dawn Macklin (Ward 4), Adam Weldai (Ward 5), Joseph Gray (Ward 6), Keith Bernard (Ward 7) and Sharon Rose Zeiberg (Ward 8). Macklin, Bernard and Zeiberg are new to the School Committee; all the other members were reelected in November. After a recess in the ceremony after both municipal body members were sworn in, City Clerk Greg Lucey announced that Councillor Craig Spadafora had been elected City Council President for 2022 and School Committee Member Jennifer Spadafora had been elected Vice-Chair of the School Committee for 2022 and 2023. Near the conclusion of the ceremony, Clerk Lucey presented commemorative plaques to the outgoing City Councillors (David Camell, Ward 6; Neal Anderson, Ward 7; and Debbie DeMaria, at-large) and outgoing School Committee members (Leonard Iovino, Ward 4; Michelle Luong, Ward 7; and John Froio, Ward 8). “Of all the elected officials I have dealt with, there is just something incredibly special about the way you handle yourself and the duties of City Councillor and Council President,” Lucey said to Anderson on the stage. “Everyone you have worked with has so much respect for you.” “It has been an honor to have been able to serve you,” Councillor Anderson, who served for 28 years, one of the longest service tenures in Malden history, told the audience before he departed for the last time. “I am so happy for all of you who have pledged your service this evening and I know the city of Malden is in good hands moving forward.” anuary 10, 2022-The Foundation Trust is offering a challenge match to help support the expansion of Bread of Life’s Backpack Nutrition Program. The Foundation Trust will match up to $10,000 of funds raised for the program in 2022. The Foundation Trust is the leading sponsor of Bread of Life’s Backpack Nutrition Program, which provides snacks and nutritious food for school-age students in Everett, MA. The Challenge Match from the Foundation Trust will match 50% of every onetime contribution to the program in 2022, up to $5,000. In addition, the Foundation Trust will offer a 100% match of every recurring donation received during the year, up to a combined match of $10,000. These funds will enable Bread of Life’s Backpack Nutrition Program to grow to serve more students in need. Interested community members can learn more and donate by visiting: https:// interland3.donorperfect. net/weblink/WebLink.aspx?name=E333299&id=41 To address a growing need Malden City Clerk Greg Lucy presented retiring City Councillor and Council President Neal Anderson with commemorative plaques on Monday night. Ward 7 City Councillor Chris Simonelli is shown being sworn in to office on Inauguration night by City Clerk Greg Lucey. for nutritious food for schoolage students, Bread of Life distributes backpacks filled with food to Everett students on a regular basis each month. Bread of Life works with school principals and guidance counselors who identify students struggling with poverty and food insecurity and distribute the backpacks. Backpack Items include snacks, juice boxes, crackers, peanut butter, cereal, milk boxes, noodle bowls, and other non-perishable food items. Bread of Life also provides blankets, gloves, hats, socks, hand warmers, towels, toothbrushes and other supplies as needed. With the support of the Foundation Trust, over 5,000 backpacks have been distributed to Everett students to date. "It's disturbing to think about the financial strain some parents are under week after week to pay bills and make sure their kids are fed; the nutrition backpacks put good nutrition into the hands of the kids at school and help the rest of the family at home," said Gabriella Snyder Stelmack, Bread of Life Executive Director. "We are extremely grateful that The Foundation Trust is providing the challenge grant to grow this program." Dr. Joseph Spinazzola, Foundation Trust Executive Director noted that “we started this partnership with Bread of Life before the pandemic started, and unfortunately the need for the backpacks has grown considerably since that time. Bread of Life has risen to the challenge, and we are honored to be a small part of their tremendous work addressing food insecurity in our communities. Through this Challenge Match, we hope to assist Bread of Life in establishing lasting partnerships with individuals, families, and local businesses in Everett and the surrounding communities to ensure the sustainability of this vital program for years to come.” About Bread of Life Bread of Life Bread of Life is a free food program based in Malden, MA, that serves the communities north of Boston with evening meals four nights a week, two food pantries, grocery delivery to senior citizens, food delivery to homeless families sheltered in local motels and a Backpack Nutrition Program for Everett students. www.breadoflifemalden.org About The Foundation Trust The Foundation Trust is a private operating foundation that partners with small to medium-sized New England nonprofits on new programming to better serve high-risk populations and elevate underrepresented communities. To learn more visit: https://www.foundationtrust.org/
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