Watertown Woman Running Marathon to Help Students Graduate High School

For many years, Cassandra Rice has wanted to run the Boston Marathon, and in 2017 she will run her first one and raise money for a good cause, too. 

The Watertown resident, and 2006 WHS graduate, said she was pushed to run after the Marathon Bombings and the aftermath in her hometown. “I decided that I wanted to run many years ago, and after the events that unfolded in 2013, I was even more convinced,” Rice said. “We were all tremendously affected, and I wanted to be a part of the event that brings everyone in Boston together.” While she is not a novice runner, Rice said she is excited for the race. “This is my first time running a full marathon, although I’ve completed a handful of half marathons in the past,” Rice said.

Some Local Places to Donate to on Giving Tuesday

Giving Tuesday is coming up on Nov. 29, and if you are looking for some groups in Watertown to donate to, here are a couple idea. 
Boy’s & Girl’s Club
Watertown Boy’s & Girls Club serves hundreds of children across the community. It also provides swim lessons and hosts some of the Cops and Rec programs with the Watertown Police and the Watertown Recreation Department. Monies raised through the club’s annual campaign are used to ensure the Club’s doors can remain open for any and all children in Watertown. These dollars go directly toward operational costs such as facility maintenance, program supplies, and staff training.

Pair of Watertown Residents Attend Camp Champions Celebration at Fenway

Two Watertown residents attended the The American Camp Association, New England’s (ACA New England) Sixth Annual Camp Champions Celebration at Fenway Park recently. William Ford and Marjorie Goode were on hand for the celebration that recognized several campers who have received the gift of camp (camperships) through previous Camp Champions fundraising events. The celebration raises funds for ACA New England’s Campership Fund which helps send children in need to camp. The Camp Champions named by ACA New England in previous years have included Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter, Lisa Loeb (2015), camp philanthropist, Anna Gould (2014), actress and activist, Eliza Dushku (2013), former Mayor of Boston, Thomas M. Menino (2012) and June & Eliot Tatelman (2011).

Dependable Cleaners Supporting Cradles to Crayons Coat Drive

Dependable Cleaners is proud to announce its support of Cradles to Crayons, a nonprofit organization that equips children from birth through age 12 living in homeless or low-income situations with the essential items they need to thrive – at home, at school, and at play, for its winter initiative, according to the company’s announcement. Now through Dec. 31, 2016 Dependable Cleaners locations will host in-store coat collections to support Cradles to Crayons and its Gear Up for Winter initiative. The program aims to provide families and children with warm winter items necessary for the dropping temperatures and harsh winter season. This year’s program aims to assist 40,000 local children with winter coats, hats, gloves and other winter essentials this season.

Watertown Police Growing Facial Hair to Help Out Veterans

Some members of the Watertown Police will be looking a bit scruffier in November, but they are doing it for a good cause. 

The Police Department has joined more than a dozen other law enforcement agencies in “No Shave November,” which benefits Home Base. This is a joint effort of the Red Sox Foundation and Massachusetts General Hospital Program which helps veterans and their families heal from the invisible wounds of war, such as Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and related conditions. The Home Base program helps not just the veterans, but also their families, said Watertown Police Officer Mendez said, because the effects of PTSD and TBI do not just impact veterans. The Watertown Police Department has a no beards policy. When officers get some time off, they often grow a goatee or beard, but shave it off when they return to duty, so Mendez thought it would be popular.

Watertown Savings Kicks Off Voting for 21st Annual Customer Choice Awards

Watertown Savings Bank (WSB) CEO Ron Dean is pleased to announce that voting is now open in the Bank’s 21st Annual Customer Choice Awards. Through this program $75,000 is distributed among local non-profits according to how bank customers vote. “The Bank is extremely proud of the Customer Choice Awards because of how many organizations are helped,” Dean said. “Our employees look forward to the awards night each year, to learn about all of the good work being done in our communities.”

How do the Customer Choice Awards work: Anyone with a Watertown Savings Bank account may vote. Every customer will receive a ballot with their monthly statements in November (or will be mailed a ballot directly).