FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 5, 2013
Courtesy of UMass Lowell Athletics Communications
Each year, when the UMass Lowell men's basketball team
visits the Lowell Transitional Center, it is a reminder
for Nomso
Emetarom to call home.
“After every year I've gone there, I call my mom and
tell her how thankful I am,” Emetarom said.
Emetarom, a Framingham, Mass., native, and his teammates
spent a couple hours at the Lowell Transitional Living Center on
Jan. 18, setting tables, serving meals, interacting with the guests
and busing tables.
The visit marked the fifth year the team has volunteered at
the Center, and perhaps no one was more grateful
than Janet Barsorian,
the Center's Kitchen Manager and Coordinator of Donations and
fundraising for 13 years.
“It really lifts their spirits,” Barsorian said.
“We are really inundated this time of year.”
The amouon of guests at the Transitional Center varies, and
one of the determining factors as to how many guests may show is
the weather. On the night of the team's visit, temperatures hovered
around 20 degrees, making for a busy night; about 135 people by
Barsorian's estimation.
On such nights, there are rules. One drink or serving per
guest (often there is not enough for seconds). Emetarom is a
sociable young man who doesn't mind striking up a
conversation.
“They really appreciate what we're doing for
them,” he said. “Some of them used to play basketball.
We talked about the NBA. A couple of them asked us about getting
tickets for games.”
But, he said, you learn quickly which of the guests are up
for talking.
“You can tell they have it rough. I'll be serving food
and I'll ask a simple question. Depending on the answer you can
tell who is up for conversation.”
“We have a lot of people who have mental health
disabilities,” Barsorian added. “There are a lot of
people who have nowhere to go.”
A junior majoring in criminal justice (he has a 3.28 grade
point average), Emetarom looks forward to the visit each year. To
say he was moved on his first visit two years ago is a giant
understatement.
“Honestly, every year I get the same feeling. I feel
good about what we do there.”
Barsorian says the feeling is mutual.
“It's a nice treat for (the guests) to have someone
different serve them. It's like going to a restaurant they can't
afford.”
