Lawrence, MA (September 24, 2025)—A generous donation from the Lawrence Disabled American Veterans (DAV) group is brightening up the space outside the Dimitry Building on the Lawrence Campus of Northern Essex Community College. The group gifted plantings to create a new garden as a way of saying “thank you” for the use of meeting space on campus.

Retired NECC Police Officer Tom Murphy places marker in new garden

Previously, DAV held its regular meetings in a location with inadequate parking and accommodations for individuals with mobility limitations. As a result, participation and membership suffered. But retired NECC Police Officer and veteran Tom Murphy had a solution in mind. He approached his former colleagues at NECC and asked about using space on the Lawrence Campus. The facilities team quickly agreed and arranged for the group to use a room that suited their needs. Dan Tirone, former NECC Public Safety Officer and newly elected DAV Commander, says the impact on membership was immediate.

“Membership has doubled, and that’s really important. There are no steps, plenty of parking, and it’s a nice, big room. We really appreciate all you’ve done,” he told a group gathered for the garden’s dedication, explaining that the plantings are the group’s way of showing their gratitude.

“As a son of a disabled American veteran, it’s important to me that people have a place to go, and I was honored that we could help out,” said NECC CFO/COO Michael McCarthy. “We have many veterans on campus, and we hope this also shows we’re dedicated to supporting them.”

“It is an honor for us to be able to work with the DAV organization and to ensure that they continue to have a presence in our city,” echoed Vice President of the Lawrence Campus and Community Relations Naydeen González-De Jesús.

To learn more about Veterans Services at Northern Essex, visit the webpage or contact  Veteran and Military Services Coordinator Fred Denesowicz. For information about community use of NECC Facilities, visit: necc.mass.edu/about/facilities/facilities-usage-rental/

NECC Police Chief David Hobbs, Michael McCarthy, Director of Auxiliary Services Allison Gagne, Tom Murphy, Dan Tirone, Naydeen González De-Jesús, Fred Denesowicz, NECC Officer Elizabeth Raymond