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WESTBOROUGH, Mass. – A few years ago, the Boroughs Jewish Community Center was struggling. Even though they were offering a popular preschool program, they were unsure if they could keep it going. Dave Crandall, Westborough resident and parent of then two small children in the preschool program, decided it was time to step up.
Crandall, along with other preschool parents, decided they wanted to make the Boroughs JCC a better place for the community. They took over the bills and started running the preschool, after-school programs and events as volunteers.
“A group of us said, this a great preschool but it could be so much more,” Crandall said. “We decided to try and make it better.”
And they did. Crandall also decided to offer his services as an employee of a technology company in Cambridge to help the JCC increase its social media and online presence. He plans to offer a similar class soon at the JCC and invite local businesses to attend.
“When social media got big, I started teaching a class on using social media for business. I decided to work to get the JCC to have a better Internet presence,” Crandall said.
Then Crandall took it a step further and decided to help the Boroughs JCC raise money. He took over the Taste of the Boroughs event and now works with a committee to put it together each year. The Taste of the Boroughs has run as a fundraiser for the Boroughs JCC for 19 years and has showcased multiple local restaurants for the past five years.
“My overall goal is that I want everyone who lives in the community to see how wonderful the restaurants are and see all the great things the community offers and want to support it,” Crandall said.
On top of all that, Crandall now also actively participates in the Fales Elementary School Parent Group where one of his sons now attends. Crandall feels like getting involved in the community is one of the most important things a person can do.
“Growing up as a son of a single mom who was a school teacher, we didn’t have a lot. She always said if you don’t like something then get involved and change it. I like this area. It has a lot to offer and the people I’ve met are fantastic,” Crandall said.
What is Crandall’s advice for people looking to get involved? Find something that interests you.
“For parents I always say go get involved with your parent group. Get involved to show you care and you’re not just dropping your kids off at school,” Crandall said. “For non-parents it’s important to point out that you can still get involved. A great example is the Taste of the Boroughs. You can get involved and have fun anyway.”
