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.

Business

See Which Groups Received Grants from Watertown Savings Bank

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Watertown Savings Bank recently handed out $75,000 in grants to 28 local community organizations as chosen by customers of the bank in the annual Customer Choice Awards. During the awards ceremony, a representative from each of the winning organizations had the opportunity to speak about the work they do and how they will use the funds. It is a unique event that celebrates the efforts of the hard-working people who do so much to add to the quality of life in the local communities. “Letting our customers’ votes determine how the funds are distributed creates a wonderfully diverse group of winners each year,” said vice president Carole Katz, emcee for the event. For further information about WSB’s Customer Choice awards program, contact the coordinator at (617) 928-2336.

Charity

Change of Date for the Hibernians’ Ham-O-Rama!

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The date of the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians annual Ham-O-Rama, has been moved! The event, featuring raffles, food and the chance to win all the fixings for your Easter meal, will be held Friday, March 27 at Hibernian Hall, 151 Watertown St. in Watertown. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the event is open to the public. Ham-O-Rama is the primary fund-raiser for the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians 2015 charitable program.

Business

Watertown Restaurant Donating Portion of Checks to Help Veterans

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On Tuesday, March 24, all Halfway Cafe locations – including Watertown – will take part in a fundraiser for Thanks to Yanks. During that evening, diners who present a donation ticket for Thanks to Yanks will have 15 percent of their checks donated to the non-profit group that supports military members, veterans and their families. To get the donation ticket, visit www.Thankstoyanks.org, the Thanks To Yanks Facebook page, or email info@thankstoyanks.org and a ticket will be sent to you. Halfway Cafe is located at 394 Main Street in Watertown.

Charity

See Photos from This Year’s Watertown MusicFest

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Dozens of musicians, young and old, performed at the fourth-annual MusicFest, which benefited the Friends of Watertown Music. The event was held on March 6 at Watertown Middle School and featured multiple stages. MusicFest is organized by the Friends of Watertown Music. All donations go directly to the Music Department of the WPS. Donations are tax-deductible and gratefully accepted year-round.

Charity

LETTER: Group Struggling to Keep Up with Needs of Watertown’s Most Vulnerable

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It’s no secret that this has been a brutal winter, with record snow and cold temperatures. For those who are fortunate to live in warm homes, the weather may be inconvenient and annoying, but still manageable. However, for many other Watertown residents, the weather has put their lives in crisis. No one knows this better than Nancy Dutton, Administrator of the Helen Robinson Wright Charitable Fund, and the Rev. Mark Harris, minister of the First Parish of Watertown, where the fund is based. It’s Monday morning, and Nancy and Mark have just begun their workday.