MTEC offers guitar lessons courtesy of the late Tom Feagley

Last month the Malden Teen Enrichment Center (MTEC) hosted their first-ever guitar lessons. In the 11 years that MTEC has hosted activities and programs for the youth of Malden, guitar lessons have been a bucket list–item, and it was a thrill to finally see this goal come alive. Under the guidance of instructor Mark Damon, seven MTEC members spent four Thursdays in December and will spend time in January learning the basics of guitar playing.

When the guitars used by the students are not in use, they adorn the walls of MTEC Coordinator Cathy Macmullin’s office and serve as a constant reminder of one of the most important and generous relationships the Center has ever experienced. The guitars were donated over the years by the late Tom Feagley – former director of Bread of Life and lifelong servant to his community – who passed away last year at the age of 76. Tom was a generous supporter of MTEC and the youth who frequent it. For 11 years he stopped by regularly with donations of food, signifying the strong bond that exists between MTEC and Bread of Life.

A gifted artist in his own right, Tom also frequently donated art supplies and other instruments. Many budding artists frequent MTEC, and markers, crayons, pastels and other supplies donated by Tom have led to the creation of wonderful works of art at the hands of talented Malden teens. Thus, when he stopped by with a trove of guitars, the opportunity for more teens to benefit from his generosity was born. Although Tom did not survive to see his guitars being put to use, his generous and giving spirit, as well as his dedication to the youth of Malden, live on in the chords to be learned and songs to be played by Malden’s youth.