Charity

Dancing With the Stars Event Will Benefit Watertown Education Foundation

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The second annual Dancing with the Stars, which will benefit the Watertown Public Schools, features coaches, state reps and Watertown parents. 
The Watertown Education Foundation (WEF) will host its second annual, “Dancing with the Stars” event on Friday, May 1, beginning at 6 p.m. at the Hellenic Cultural Center, 25 Bigelow Ave., East Watertown. 
Modeled after the popular television show, the event features Watertown “stars” partnered with professional dancers from Avalon Dance & Fitness and Fred Astaire, both located in Belmont. 
The 2015 Stars are:

John Cacace, Watertown High School (WHS) football coach
Jane Corrigan, Watertown resident and Reagle Music Theatre performer
Lidia DiIeso, Cunniff School teacher
Aine Dirrane, IA, Watertown Middle School (WMS)
Aaron Dushku, Watertown Town Councilor
Kendra Foley, Hosmer School parent
Jay Hughes, local realtor, WMS & WHS parent
Armand Keuchkarian, entrepreneur, WMS & WHS parent
John Lawn, State Representative, Watertown Public Schools parent
Sheri Park, Lowell School teacher

“Last year’s event was a tremendous success,” said Amy Donohue, WEF co-president. “It is a fun night out for the adults, and a wonderful opportunity to support the WEF grant program.  It will once again be a terrific event; all are welcome to attend!”
Avalon Dance & Fitness and Fred Astaire instructors will work with the stars on a rigorous practice schedule right up to the event. Professional dancers from various studios and dance organizations will serve as judges. The winners will be announced at the end of the event. Tickets may be purchased on-line at www.watertowned.org; $30 Silver tickets (general seating); $40 Gold tickets (premium seating); and $50 Platinum tickets (table seating). Hors d’oeuvres and cocktails begin at 6:00 and competition begins promptly at 7:30. There will also be a silent auction, and cash bar.  At the conclusion of the competition, the dance floor will be open to all guests for dancing. For more information, please contact info@watertowned.org 

Around Town

Marathoner Running Boston Race for Operation American Soldier

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The 2015 Boston Marathon will be Peter Walker’s second, but this year he wanted to raise money for a good cause. That’s when he discovered the Watertown-based charity that sends care packages to American troops overseas. Walker searched for a charity and got a suggestion while he was dining. “I was in Conley’s in Watertown talking with someone,” Walker said. “I said it would be nice to run for a foundation.

Charity

Watertown Hibernians Ladies Hosting Fashion Show

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Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians, Division 14 will host a fashion show to benefit local charities. BonWorth, Fashion worth your lifestyle, will be held on Sunday, April 12 from 2-6 p.m. at the Hibernian Hall, 151 Watertown St., Watertown. Admission ins $10, and light refreshments will be served. Proceeds will benefit the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians’ local charities. For tickets, please contact Mary Ryan at 617-851-1836, Maureen Foley at 617-967-1195 of Sue McCallum 781-899-9423.

Around Town

Sign Up Now for Watertown Helps Out – Dozens of Projects Planned

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Watertown Helps Out is a day of community service organized by Watertown Community Foundation. You can sign up for a one-time volunteer activity in your local community that you can do with your family, friends, or on your own. The Watertown Community Foundation’s (WCF) Watertown Helps Out – annual day of volunteering is taking place again this year on Saturday, May 2 at over 20 Watertown nonprofits. The day begins with a 8:30am Kick-off Breakfast and Sign-in. Roberta Miller, co-chair of WCF’s organizing committee, stated, “Last year’s WHO event saw over 150 volunteers help local nonprofits by gardening, painting, building fences, cleaning up the riverfront, assisting seniors with household tasks, and sprucing up a children’s play area – just to mention a few of the activities. This year we have openings for more than twice as many volunteers, and we expect well over 300 to help out around town.”

Many of the activities are kid-friendly, and there are over two dozen to choose from! Before volunteering, join us for a kickoff breakfast at the Arsenal Project and pick up your free T-shirt.

Business

Watertown Insurance Agency Helping Cancer Patients Through Livestrong

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The LIVESTRONG foundation at the Framingham, Mass YMCA will be opening up registrations for their next course with the help of Watertown’s H&K Insurance Agency. The opportunity to donate $1,000 is important for H&K Insurance, who wants to support local businesses who make a difference in the lives of local cancer patients. Every year the MetroWest YMCA runs a campaign to raise funds for their community programs, including LIVESTRONG. LIVESTRONG is a physical activity and well-being initiative for cancer survivors which has helped 6000 participants nationwide. The program helps cancer patients rebuild strength and regain abilities they may have lost.

Around Town

Watertown’s Unseen Homeless Problem is Growing

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{This is the first in a series of articles on homeless and needy in Watertown}
They may not be as obvious as the homeless in Boston or Harvard Square, but Watertown has its share of homeless people and families, and the problem has grown. Recent bad economic times followed by an upswing in the price of rentals in town has spelled trouble for some in town, said Danielle DeMoss, Watertown’s Social Services Resource Specialist. “This month alone three families are facing evictions, and another is currently homeless,” DeMoss said. Mark Harris, pastor of First Parish Church in Watertown, said he has seen the problem growing. “I had not seen homeless people until a couple years ago,” Harris said.

Charity

Win a Tesla Test Drive at the Pennies for Patients Basketball Game Tonight!

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On Thursday, March 27, at 6 p.m. Watertown Middle School hosts a charity basketball game to raise money for Pennies for Patients – which provides funds for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. The game between students and staff is a rematch of a contest earlier in the year which went to three overtimes and ended in a tie! Tesla of Watertown has donated a 24 hour Tesla test drive which will be awarded to the winners of a silent auction at the game. Tesla will have a car on display in our parking lot. The lobby and auditorium at the middle school are dedicated to Peter Clough who died at 32 of Lymphoma 20 years ago. Several members of the Clough family will be attending the event.

Charity

Runners, Get Ready for the Second Annual Watertown Police 5K Run

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On the second anniversary of the events that lead to the capture of the Boston Marathon Bombing suspects the Watertown Police Supervisor’s Association will hold a 5K road race and walk. Last year, the first WPSA 5K drew thousands of runners and walkers to Watertown. The second annual race will be held at 10 a.m. on Sunday, April 19. The event is being organized by Wicked Fun Running Events, and hopes to bring the community together and celebrate the accomplishments and sacrifices that were made during the Boston Marathon bombing and subsequent aftermath, which occurred in Watertown in 2013. Residents, families, friends, business and civic leaders are invited to take part in this growing Watertown tradition.