Family’s present is finding joy in giving
By David Harry
Staff Writer
When the Murphy children celebrate birthdays, they really know how to party.
However, it is the community that gets the gifts. Twins Killian, Fiona and their younger brother Cormac Murphy have turned what their parents Jack and Kelly Murphy call the “Murphy Birthday Extravaganza” into food and clothing drives in the last two years.
This year, a birthday party at the South Portland municipal pool last month drew 26 children who brought enough nonperishable food to fill 10 boxes, Kelly Murphy said.
The food was donated to a program established by Judith Campbell, director of nutrition for the Scarborough School Department, and provided backpacks of food for children to take home during school vacation weeks.
Scarborough-based Project G.R.A.C.E., which seeks to link those in need with those who can help, supports the program, said Allison Spies, an organization staffer.
It was Spies, whose daughter Charlotte is a friend of Killian and Fiona, who suggested the donations, said Killian.
The call to care for neighbors comes from the Murphys themselves, Spies said.
“They are a very sweet, thoughtful family,” she said.
A week before the party, which celebrated the children’s September birthdays, guests were e-mailed a list of food choices for donations.
Killian and Fiona turned 8 and Cormac was celebrating his fourth birthday.
“We wanted our friends to bring non-perishables. That means food that can’t be expired,” said Fiona.
Canned or boxed pasta, tuna fish, sauces, cereal, granola bars and peanut butter were all requested as the Murphys said they wanted to emphasize how acute local need is.
“Right here in Scarborough, a growing, oceanfront town, it can be easy to overlook because the need isn’t as obvious. Many people were shocked by the number of kids who were being served by this program,” said Jack Murphy.
After gathering mittens, hats and board games for Project G.R.A.C.E. at last year’s birthday party, the Murphy children said delivering the food this year was a challenge.
“The boxes of food were really heavy. So heavy we had to push them instead of carrying them,” said Killian.
Brenda Franklin, director of food service at Blue Point School, said the backpack program provides food for 42 students throughout the district.
The backpacks were donated by L.L. Bean in response to Campbell’s request, Spies said.
“We are so impressed by Judy and Brenda’s initiative. They saw a need and responded, on their own,” Kelly Murphy said.
With abundant family blessings and because they are Scarborough natives, she said the family always wants to give back to the community.
“It felt good, good, good to bring all the food,” Cormac said.
To learn more about the backpack program, call Campbell at 730-4701 or visit www.scarborough.k12.me.us.
To learn more about Project G.R.A.C.E., visit www.projectgracemaine.org.
Staff writer David Harry can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 219
Staff Writer
When the Murphy children celebrate birthdays, they really know how to party.
However, it is the community that gets the gifts. Twins Killian, Fiona and their younger brother Cormac Murphy have turned what their parents Jack and Kelly Murphy call the “Murphy Birthday Extravaganza” into food and clothing drives in the last two years.
This year, a birthday party at the South Portland municipal pool last month drew 26 children who brought enough nonperishable food to fill 10 boxes, Kelly Murphy said.
The food was donated to a program established by Judith Campbell, director of nutrition for the Scarborough School Department, and provided backpacks of food for children to take home during school vacation weeks.
Scarborough-based Project G.R.A.C.E., which seeks to link those in need with those who can help, supports the program, said Allison Spies, an organization staffer.
It was Spies, whose daughter Charlotte is a friend of Killian and Fiona, who suggested the donations, said Killian.
The call to care for neighbors comes from the Murphys themselves, Spies said.
“They are a very sweet, thoughtful family,” she said.
A week before the party, which celebrated the children’s September birthdays, guests were e-mailed a list of food choices for donations.
Killian and Fiona turned 8 and Cormac was celebrating his fourth birthday.
“We wanted our friends to bring non-perishables. That means food that can’t be expired,” said Fiona.
Canned or boxed pasta, tuna fish, sauces, cereal, granola bars and peanut butter were all requested as the Murphys said they wanted to emphasize how acute local need is.
“Right here in Scarborough, a growing, oceanfront town, it can be easy to overlook because the need isn’t as obvious. Many people were shocked by the number of kids who were being served by this program,” said Jack Murphy.
After gathering mittens, hats and board games for Project G.R.A.C.E. at last year’s birthday party, the Murphy children said delivering the food this year was a challenge.
“The boxes of food were really heavy. So heavy we had to push them instead of carrying them,” said Killian.
Brenda Franklin, director of food service at Blue Point School, said the backpack program provides food for 42 students throughout the district.
The backpacks were donated by L.L. Bean in response to Campbell’s request, Spies said.
“We are so impressed by Judy and Brenda’s initiative. They saw a need and responded, on their own,” Kelly Murphy said.
With abundant family blessings and because they are Scarborough natives, she said the family always wants to give back to the community.
“It felt good, good, good to bring all the food,” Cormac said.
To learn more about the backpack program, call Campbell at 730-4701 or visit www.scarborough.k12.me.us.
To learn more about Project G.R.A.C.E., visit www.projectgracemaine.org.
Staff writer David Harry can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 219
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