Bishop Stang Student Creates Award-Winning Fundraiser

When Bishop Stang student Gage Ramsden heard about Worcester Firefighter Christopher Roy's death last December, he knew he had to do something.

“I myself am a firefighter, on call in my hometown, and worked that day so that others from my department could attend his funeral. Chris was a model fireman, a great learner and friend, and watching his funeral on tv and watching his daughter, now with no parents, cry, I was moved to act. I could only imagine that being one of the people I work next to every day." Gage Ramsden

President of his school's National Honor Society and a volunteer Dartmouth firefighter himself, Ramsden decided to create a dress down day on Saint Patrick's Day, where students would be allowed to dress out of uniform in exchange for a donation to the National Fallen Firefighter Foundation, which could benefit Roy's family, and for Dartmouth Fire Department, for any training and equipment that would better prevent another tragic situation.

The fundraiser was extremely successful, earning more than $1,000 for the cause.

Ramsden was recognized for his efforts, winning the South Eastern Region NHS Student of the Year at the State Leadership Conference at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester. Dartmouth Fire Chief Richard Arruda, Captain Cory Pimental, and Assistant Chief Theodore Borges arrived at Bishop Stang today to receive the check from Ramsden.