Last modified: Sunday, November 2, 2008 1:26 AM EST Students pitch in to boost Christmas dinner Bishop Feehan, Attleboro and North Attleboro high schools have agreed to jointly help to sponsor this year’s annual Edward Tedesco Christmas Dinner at the South Attleboro Knights of Columbus, and students spent time during Saturday's Bishop Feehan-Attleboro High School football game at Attleboro's Tozier-Cassidy Field to collect money for the event. Pictured, from left, are Christine McCluskey of Attleboro High, Alex Rocznoak of Feehan, and Ashley Balerna, Leslie Duclos, Kerstin McAndrews, Sophie O'Neill and Sheila DaSilva.; all of Attleboro High. (Staff photos by Tom Maguire) Schools unite to work on dinner BY JANETTE SEARS FOR THE SUN CHRONICLE ATTLEBORO For a quarter of a century, counting this year, concerned citizens have ensured that those in need within the Attleboro area get to enjoy a holiday meal at Christmastime. This year is no exception as organizers plan the 25th annual free Christmas Dinner, now dubbed the Ed Tedesco Memorial Christmas Dinner. In fact, the dinner will be getting some additional help this year, as Bishop Feehan High School, which will be partially sponsoring the dinner for the third year, will be joined by Attleboro and North Attleboro high schools. Feehan Principal Bill Runey sought the help of North Attleboro High School Principal Robert Gay and Attleboro High School Principal Jeffrey Newman, both of whom he says immediately agreed to join forces in a unique combined effort. This holiday season will mark the sixth consecutive year that the daughters of Ed Tedesco, who died in 2003, are keeping the dinner alive by organizing it with the help of local sponsors. Tedesco himself had taken over the organization of the dinner in 1998 after Jack Hagopian, the late owner of Ro-Jack's Food Stores and the originator of the dinner, ended his involvement with the event. Hagopian also died in 2003. Tedesco's daughters - Sherri Morin, Lori Carroll and Kim Taylor - are very pleased with the sponsorship that has come forward to date. "Jeff Newman, Bob Gay and I are excited about our students' response to this," Runey said. "Rather than pulling against one another, they will be pulling together in our theme of Let's Triple Team Hunger." Gay and Newman couldn't agree more. "This is the first time all three schools are working together, and we need to do it more often," Gay said. "It's important for the kids to know that they are breaking down school barriers to work together for the community," Newman said. To kick off the Let's Triple Team Hunger effort, members of Attleboro High School and Bishop Feehan High School began a collection Saturday afternoon during the Attleboro-Feehan game at Attleboro High School. The effort will continue when students from Attleboro and North Attleboro high schools collect money during their Thanksgiving game. "We are all very grateful for the continued support of Bishop Feehan High School as well as the additional support from both Attleboro High School and North Attleboro High School," said Christmas Dinner co-organizer Lori Carroll. "We are, however, in need of additional donations this year as we feel the need will be greater," added co-organizer Kim Taylor. In their own effort to raise money as well as organize the dinner, the Tedesco sisters and others will hold a fundraising dance at the American Legion Hall on Newport Avenue (Route 123) in South Attleboro from 7:30 to 11 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 29. The dance will feature the music of the band "Just Us Three," which has volunteered its services in an effort to help raise money. The Tedesco sisters also advise that they are looking for local businesses to step forward with donations for a silent auction to be held during the dance. Janette Sears can be reached at 508-222-0993 or by e-mail at janette.boulay@gmail.com.