Molly Bish

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The mission of the Molly Bish Institute for Child Health and Safety is to ensure the health and safety of all children in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. To meet this mission, the Institute provides hands-on, practical learning opportunities for parents, caregivers and children, and provides a clearinghouse of child health and safety information.

MWCC VOLUNTEERS AID 'TEAM BISH' IN HOME RESTORATION EFFORT

Wearing bright orange t-shirts bearing the message "MWCC Loves Team Bish," nearly 40 Mount Wachusett faculty, staff, alumni, students and Kid Expo supporters took part in an all-volunteer, three-day construction blitz at the home of John and Magi Bish that was organized to thank the couple for their years of dedication and service as child safety advocates. Many others from the college who could not attend helped out by baking snacks to help feed the 100 volunteers who descended on the Bish's property each day.

The restoration project took place November 16-18 to renovate the home to accommodate John Bish's needs as he continues to recover from a recent stroke and heart surgery, and to make other repairs and improvements. Beyond the makeover, workers built an office to house the Molly Bish Foundation, which previously operated from the couple's dining room. The Bishes have spent the past seven years as national advocates for child protection laws ever since the June 2000 abduction and murder of their beloved daughter, Molly, while she was working as a lifeguard in Warren.

“We as a society need to get back to where we were 100 years ago. When your neighbors needed help, you helped them,” said Robert Stone, owner of the Worcester-based Paul Davis Restoration and Remodeling franchise, which organized the makeover as part of the company’s “Restoring America One Home at a Time" program. More than $200,000 in materials and labor hours were donated for the home remodeling project by dozens of contractors and other contributors.

The Bishes arrived at their home periodically during the renovations to express heartfelt appreciation for the outpouring of community support. "I'm overwhelmed," Mr. Bish said. "This is more than we ever anticipated," added Mrs. Bish, through tears. "Molly's spirit is with us."

"Each and every one of our volunteers were inspired by the countless acts of good that the Bishes have done to make our communities safer," said volunteer Andrea Hart de Gravelle, coordinator of civic engagement for MWCC's Center for Democracy and Humanity. The center includes the Molly Bish Institute for Child Health and Safety, which was co-founded by the Bishes in memory of their daughter. "The Bish family never asks for anything, and this was a way to give back to them. Kindness is the only global epidemic we need more of," she said.