A group of 9th graders at Lynnfield High School are helping to raise money to find a cure for lymphoma as part of a Destination Imagination project. The students - Katie Shinnick, Matt Parziale, Josh Greely, Alex Dell Isola, Lauren Guerra and Rachel Maglio - are working under the name "Mr. L. Jacks" with Team Manager and parent Tom Maglio.

This particular team activity for Destination Imagination revolves around community service, and Maglio said in a recent conversation with Lynnfield Patch that the team members had chosen lymphoma outreach for this year's theme as a gesture to a team member's adult neighbor who is battling the disease.

While this is Maglio's first year as the team's advisor, he recalls how last year, the students went to the global finals in Tennessee for another outreach project where they raised funds and created several dozen "birthday in a box" packages, complete with cake, party hats and a couple of presents, for children staying in area shelters.

"They go out and find the community need and they decide who they want to help," said Maglio. "Destination Imagination is a fantastic program and these kids have been really successful at it."  As many as 40,000 from all over the world head to Nashville each year around Memorial Day for the global Destination Imagination finals.

The current fundraising effort has raised about $1,800 for lymphoma research, reports Maglio, and tickets are available from now until the expected drawing on Sunday, March 25 at 6 p.m. Raffle prizes range from Celtics tickets and lottery tickets to gift certificates to area businesses like Meletharb's Ice Cream, Kelly's Roast Beef and Brother's Deli. Tickets are $10 each or three for $20 and can be obtained either from team members or by calling Maglio at 781-389-9284 for tickets. After that, the next big objective for the team will be the state competition on March 31.