WATERTOWN, Mass. — 83-year-old Jane Long has always been a teacher at heart and nearly 20 years after she retired from teaching kindergarten for 13 years in Lexington, MA, she is still working with kids as a volunteer at the Perkins School for the Blind in Watertown.
“Each child brings something different that touches my heart”, says Jane. “They are here because their parents want the best for them and because we want the best for them”
Founded in 1829, the mission of the Perkins School for the Blind has always been to help children with disabilities find their place in the world. At Perkins Watertown campus is their Infant-Toddler Program which was started 42 years ago. They are the sole provider in Massachusetts for Children under the age of 3 with vision loss.
“We provide support for families whose children are newly diagnosed as being either blind, low vision or additional disabilities”, says Teri Turgeon, Education Director of Community Programs at Perkins. “We do that work at their homes but also provide parent support groups here at the school”
Folks at the school know how blessed they are to have Jane Long as one of their volunteers in the Infant Toddler program. “Our group would not be as successful without Jane. She is a mom and a grandmother. She has this innate ability to follow the lead of the child. I’m convinced that she gains as much as she gives. We are so incredibly lucky to have her with us”, says Teri.
Recently in Foxboro, Jane was celebrated with many other volunteers from all over New England who all give their time to different Non-Profit Organizations.
In a pregame ceremony on January 5th, the Kraft family announced that each of these Patriots Difference Makers would be receiving a $10,000 grant to support the organizations for which they volunteer.
Of all the volunteers, Jane Long was chosen as the Patriots Difference Maker of the Year and was presented with a grant of $25,000 to the Perkins School for the Blind.
“Knowing that there are so many volunteers doing incredible things, I was astounded and honored when I was notified that I had been chosen for this award,” said Jane. “Volunteering at Perkins is a privilege. Little children bring the world to us, and being able to help infants and toddlers who experience the world in unique ways teaches me to remember that I’m not the teacher, I’m the listener. Committing to this cause brings me so much fulfillment and joy, and I am so happy.”
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