The Asian Longhorned Beetle eradication staff in Worcester looks for pests up in the tree but also leaves presents under the tree.

The Asian Longhorned Beetle (ALB) eradication program in Worcester, Mass., began when a resident from the Greendale neighborhood found a strange-looking insect in her backyard. After that first ALB discovery, the program grew into the huge effort that it is today.

But the Worcester ALB staff has a few side projects that aren’t always in the spotlight. Beginning in the summer of 2010, the ALB program began giving back to the community in more ways than just replanting trees in local neighborhoods. When a federal program called “Feds Feed Families” began last July, the ALB staff decided to jump on board and help support charities in their local community. Donations were collected in the fall and winter months and given to the Worcester County Food Bank for a total of 177 pounds of non-perishable food. Even after the “Feds Feed Families” food drive ended in the summer, the ALB office continued to collect donations.

In addition to edible donations, the staff also contributed to the Toys for Tots charity in the month of December, donating almost 200 toys to the cause. Everyone who participated in the toy drive was happy to be a part of putting a smile on a child’s face.

“I’m really excited about helping out our local community and promoting the ALB program at the same time. It’s so important to get the message out to our local communities, letting them know that we’re not just here to eradicate the ALB,” says Worcester ALB program staff member Amy Stauffer, “we’re part of the community.”

The office is still collecting donations for the Worcester County Food Bank and also plans on running another Toys for Tots collection drive in December.

ALB staff with their Toys for Tots donations. They collected almost 200 toys for the local community.