Charity

Watertown Boy Collects Presents for Kids at Children’s Hospital

By |

When Brady Gleason turned 9, he decided to have his guests bring presents – not for himself but for kids at Children’s Hospital. Gleason, a third-grader at the Hosmer School, asked each of his friends to bring a soccer ball. His father Shane sent over a photo: “This was the end result – over 30 soccer balls!” Brady plays soccer for the Watertown U9 Rangers and recently scored the winning goal in the team’s 3-2 win over the Lincoln Geckos, Shane said. Charity runs in the family.

Charity

Watertown High Robotics Club Honored for Support of Relay for Life

By |

The Watertown High School KwarQs formed to compete in FIRST Robotics competitions, but they have also established a legacy for community service. Their volunteerism was honored by the American Cancer Society for their work at the Watertown Newton Waltham Relay for Life.  

The club start in 2011, and every year 10-20 KwarQs have taken part, said Jennifer Braun, community manager for the Relay for Life. “They have been great. They help set up and take down after the event,” Braun said. “If we need help, we say, ‘Go grab some KwarQs, they will help us.'”

KwarQs coach Nic Smits said that Relay for Life is just one of the charitable events which the team joins.

Entertainment

Series of Concerts Benefiting Watertown’s Sister City Starts Saturday

By |

The first of the Tremedal Concerts will be held this Saturday at the First Parish Church in Watertown. The proceeds after expenses support Watertown’s sister community in El Salvador – Nueva Esperanza. The concert features Linda Waterfall, a prolific performer, recording artist songwriter who has been performing for going on 40 years. Watertfall performs on a double bill with Oen Kennedy Saturday, Oct. 17 at 8 p.m. at First Parish Church, 35 Church St. in Watertown.

Charity

Belmont Watertown Methodist Church Holding Fundraiser

By |

The Belmont Watertown Methodist Church will hold a fundraiser for a program that provides assistance to immigrants to the area. 

On Wednesday, Oct. 7, diners who present a voucher at the Bertucci’s at 275 Centre Street in Newton or the one at Alewife at 5 Cambridge Park Drive in Cambridge will have 15 percent of the bill donated to New England Justice for Our Neighbors. The group welcomes immigrants into local Methodist churches and communities by providing free, high-quality immigration and legal services, education, and advocacy. Find out more about the Belmont Watertown United Methodist Church at www.bwumc.org or call 857-600-1282.

Around Town

Watertown Community Foundation Offering Grants for Health Programs

By |

Groups interested in applying for a grant of up to $2,500 for health-related programs in Watertown can attend the Watertown Community Foundation informational meeting. 
The Foundation sent out the following information:

The Watertown Community Foundation (WCF) announces its health-related grant program to support local nonprofits, programs, and projects. The “Healthy Watertown” Program will award grants designed to help organizations that serve Watertown develop new or continue existing programs with a health focus, broadly defined. Eligible organizations may apply for grants up to $2,500. These grants are funded by a grant to WCF from the Tufts Health Plan Foundation. The application deadline is Oct.

Charity

Watertown Woman Walking to End Alzheimers in Honor of Grandmother

By |

Watertown resident Tori Wilbur will participate in the Central New Hampshire Walk to End Alzheimer’s on Saturday, Sept. 26, at Arms Park in Manchester, N.H., the Alzheimer’s Association, MA/NH Chapter announced. “We are doing the Walk as a family in support of our grandmother,” said Wilbur, whose grandmother was diagnosed two years ago. “She is living with my grandfather but we are all helping to take care of her. We are a very close family of seven grandchildren who all love her very much.”

Around Town

Young Watertown Girl is Among the Top Jimmy Fund Walk Fundraisers

By |

A shy young girl from Watertown with a big smile has inspired people to give to the Jimmy Fund in a big way. 

Seven-year old Kate Morris’ team for the Jimmy Fund Walk, known as Princess Kate’s Royal Court, is one of the top fundraisers for this year’s event, which provides money for adult and pediatric cancer care and research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. As of Sept. 18, the team has raised $61,222, and Kate herself has brought in $32,350 with some help from her grandparents, said Kate’s mom, Evelyn Krache Morris. Kate has raised the second most of all walkers in this year’s Jimmy Fund Walk, and the team is ranked third in donations. In 2014, walkers raised more than $8 million for the Jimmy Fund, bringing the 26 year fundraising total to more than $100 million, according to the Jimmy Fund. All walkers commit to raise a minimum of $300 in contributions, except for walkers 12-years-old and younger whose fundraising commitment is $100.

Business

Watertown Savings’ Customer Choice Awards Will Reach $1 Million Donated

By |

Watertown Savings Bank CEO Ron Dean is pleased to announce that this year marks the 20th Anniversary of the Bank’s Customer Choice Awards. Over the past 20 years, 75 different organizations have benefited and $915,500 has been distributed, the bank announced. This year the total awards given out will be $85,000 (with the top vote-getter winning $10,000) to bring the Customer Choice program 20 year total to $1 million. To celebrate this important milestone, every person who votes in this year’s Awards will be entered into a drawing to receive a $500 Amazon gift card. “The Bank is extremely proud of the Customer Choice Awards because of how many organizations are helped,” Dean said.