Charity

Watertown Woman Running Falmouth Road Race for Brain Injury Association

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The Brain Injury Association of Massachusetts team will run in one of the “best non-marathon races in the country” to raise funds to support its mission as Team BIA-MA competes in the New Balance Falmouth Road Race on Sunday, Aug. 21, 2016, BIA-MA announced. The annual seven-mile race attracts an estimated 11,000 racers from across the globe — 10 of these participants form Team BIA-MA, each with their own personal connection to BIA-MA and brain injuries: Julia Doucett (Watertown) runs for the survivors that have touched her heart during her work as a brain injury rehab therapist; Julie Marlowe (Woburn) runs for her son, a brain injury survivor; Janelle Hickey, (Roslindale) runs for her mother, a survivor who has been supported by BIA for over 20 years; Courtney Farrell (Hopedale) runs for her sister, who suffered a brain injury during a cheerleading performance; Katie McNamara (Clinton) runs for her mother and other survivors no longer able to run; Matt Martino (Lynnfield) runs for his brother, a brain injury survivor; Andrea Zuchora (Westborough) runs for her mother, and all mothers and daughters affected by brain injury; Beth Pusey (Holden) is part of the BIA-MA staff hoping to help further the organization’s mission. Charles Bostwick (Westborough) and JoAnne Young (South Easton) complete the 2016 Team BIA-MA. While the Falmouth Road Race was not intended to be a charity race, their “Numbers for Nonprofit” program allows organizations like BIA-MA to race and raise funds through FirstGiving, the race’s official fundraising partner. Donations to Team BIA-MA support leadership, support services, advocacy, and prevention and education programs.
“We’re so thankful for all of our volunteers and particularly those who run Falmouth,” said Nicole Godaire, BIA-MA Executive Director.

Charity

Fund Raising Campaign Started to Honor 2 Watertown Basketball Players

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A GoFundMe campaign has been started to honor two Watertown Summer Basketball League players who died at an early age. The money would pay to purchase and install a granite bench engraved with the names of  Dave Timperio and Kenny Vincent, both of whom grew up in Watertown and were participants in the Watertown Recreation Summer Basketball League for many years. The remaining funds will be split evenly and will be given to each family for use of their choosing. Dave played for the Wire, while Kenny played for the Johnson Club, according to the campaign site. “Unfortunately, both died suddenly and tragically well before their time leaving a huge void in their family, friends and colleagues. We would like to recognize their lives and the support and participation they enjoyed in the Summer League and the many friends they made along the way,” the page said. A dedication ceremony is scheduled for Thursday, Aug.

Charity

Casino Night Will Raise Funds for Cops for Kids with Cancer

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The Watertown Police will put on a Casino Night for a good cause this fall, with the proceeds going to a charity that helps the families of children fighting cancer. On Friday, Sept. 16, 2016 from 7 p.m. to midnight, a Casino Night will be held at American Legion Post 440 in Newton. Proceeds benefit Cops for Kids with Cancer, which provides thousands of dollars to families to help pay for the costs that insurance does not cover when a child undergoes cancer treatment. Last year, a the charity presented a Watertown family with a $5,000 check to help them out as their son underwent treatment for a rare form of leukemia.

Charity

Spots Available in the Watertown Boys & Girls Club’s Golf Tournament

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The 39th Annual Stephen P. Mugar Memorial Golf Tournament to benefit the Watertown Boys & Girls Club will be held Monday, Aug. 8, 2016 at Oakley Country Club, and there are still spots available. Tee time for the tourney is 12:30 p.m. and the fee for a foursome is $800 or $210 per individual golfer. The fee includes a golf cart, golfer’s gift, lunch, snacks, entry to Closest to the Pin, Longest Drive, and All Hole-in-One contests, evening dinner and auction. The event is a Modified Scramble (“Bramble”) format

Attire is collared shirts, soft spikes only and no jeans.

Charity

Relay for Life Gets Big Boost from the Rotary Club of Watertown

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The local Relay for Life got a big boost from the Rotary Club of Watertown, which raised nearly $5,000, including one member who raised more than $1,000 on her own. The Rotary Club sent out the following announcement:

The Rotary Club of Watertown is proud to have participated in the Relay For Life of Watertown Newton and Waltham on Saturday, June 11, 2016. The club was able to raise a total of $4,790.96 for this wonderful cause. The amount of money raised was enough to make the Rotary Club of Watertown the third highest team in raised funds. Our club’s Secretary, Debbie Boyajian earned the fifth spot among 203 participants and raised $1,013!

Business

More Than 300 Tufts Health Plan Employees Help During Volunteer Day

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More than 325 employees from Tufts Health Plan spent the day volunteering with community organizations throughout the Greater Boston area, this week, completing more than 900 hours of service in one day. Volunteer Day is one way Tufts Health Plan demonstrates its commitment to community, inviting all employees to spend the day in service with and for community organizations, according to Tufts Health Plan. It was a beautiful day – and so rewarding to learn more about the great work of our community partners. Nearly 40 volunteers spent the morning building ramps and striping the Community Rowing parking lot to make it possible for rowers with disabilities to access the water. More than 50 volunteers tackled landscaping projects at the Dimock Center in Roxbury, spreading more than 20 yards of mulch and planting more than nine dozen annuals and perennials to beautify the grounds.

Around Town

New England Patriots Honor Watertown Charity That Helps the Troops

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Operation American Soldier received an award from the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation for its work sending care packages to American servicemen and women across the globe from its base at the Marine Corps League’s Charles J. Shutt Detachment in Watertown. Founder Wendy Rocca was one of 26 recipients of the Myra Kraft Community MVP Award at a luncheon held on June 2 at Gillette Stadium. Among those on hand were Patriots Owner Bob Kraft, QB Tom Brady and tight end Rob Gonkowski. “It was a wonderful, memorable experience!” Rocca said.

Around Town

Woman Catches Cancer Early Thanks to Relay for Life

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Margaret Klingmeyer began participating in the Relay For Life in honor of her sister, but the annual event that raises money for the American Cancer Society helped her in her own fight with the disease. Klingmeyer, 70, a semi-retired CPA who lives in Wellesley, is no stranger to fighting back against cancer. She began fundraising for the American Cancer Society in 2008, the year her sister lost her life after a battle with lung cancer, according to the American Cancer Society. That year, she joined Relay For Life of New Bedford, where she was born and where she sister lived. The following year, she started Team Hiker Chris with the Relay For Life of Watertown-Newton-Waltham event, in Watertown, the town where she cares for her grandchildren and often visits her daughter.