ORCSD is pleased to award the 2025 Distinguished Service Award to Doris Demers.
Doris Demers was recognized on February 4, 2025, during the ORCSD School Board Annual Meeting Session I for her continued unwavering commitment and dedication to students and families in our community.
We are truly fortunate to have Doris serve our community, and we are excited to celebrate her dedication and commitment to Oyster River with our Distinguished Service Award.
Doris began her career at Oyster River in July of 2018 when she was hired as the Child Nutrition Director. During her tenure and up until her retirement in June of 2023, Doris continues to be an active participant, volunteering her time and commitment to the End 68 Hours of Hunger program, ensuring that our students and community are provided with healthy meals for the weekend.
The program End 68 Hours of Hunger is a volunteer organization with a mission to confront the approximately 68 hours of hunger that some school children experience between the free lunch they receive in school on Friday and the free breakfast they receive on Monday. Every week Doris and her volunteers coordinate, fill, and deliver numerous bags of food throughout the district making sure that everyone with a need is given this bag of food to carry them through the weekend.
The Oyster River program started in January 2014 and services children in the district every week. Doris Demers is the superstar who coordinates and oversees the purchasing and ordering of the food, keeps track of the inventory, organizes fundraising, contacts local organizations to solicit support, and is the primary reason the program is so successful. She volunteers her time to ensure all aspects of the program are covered. Doris understands the concept of teamwork and works with numerous volunteers who help fight food insecurity.
Sue Caswell, former Business Administrator for Oyster River stated, “Doris has faithfully volunteered to support End 68 Hours of Hunger for over 11 years. Her commitment to the program is invaluable to its success. I witness her dedication each week as she coordinates volunteers, generates food orders, solicits donations, and even helps pack the bags! Her unwavering dedication and tireless efforts as a volunteer are truly inspiring.”
Information Technology Director Josh Ostad stated, “It is no surprise that even in retirement, Doris continues to support the students of Oyster River. During her tenure as the Child Nutrition Director, she worked to incorporate fresh food and transform everyone’s perception of school lunches. Doris remains committed to meeting the nutritional needs of our students by addressing food insecurity over the weekends. This community is blessed to have Doris volunteering her time for this cause!”
Committee member, Corrina Tucker stated, “Doris is incredibly dedicated to helping the families of Oyster River. Any child or family who needs help, Doris, makes it happen. During the pandemic, she went to great lengths to make sure families received their food, personally driving to their homes each week. She knew how much these bags of food meant to them and did not want to let them down. When designing the menu of items to be included in the bags each week, she makes sure the items are nutritious and child-friendly. We are so fortunate to have Doris leading the efforts. Thank you, Doris!”
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Pictured: Doris Demers accepting a donation on behalf of End 68 Hours of Hunger during Humanities Night at Oyster River Middle School in 2024.