Charity

LETTER: Wayside Thanks Generous Donors During the Holiday Season

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Social Service Resource Specialists/Wayside staff preparing holiday gifts and gift cards for families to pick-up. The holiday season is upon us and it’s the most wonderful time of the year for many. Yet for some, it can be challenging to afford gifts for their loved ones. Each year, Wayside Youth & Family Support Network’s Multi-Service Center works with local churches and businesses, to provide holiday gifts for families. Once again this year, families served through Watertown’s Social Services Resource Specialist Program were recipients of these generous donations.

Charity

LETTER: Watertown Community Fridge Fulfilling Important Role in the Community

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I first heard of the community fridge concept last year, after they began to appear in the Boston area in response to the pandemic illuminating and exacerbating the amount of people experiencing food insecurity. The one recently established in Watertown — in the parking lot of Francis Market, 1084 Belmont St. — is an accomplishment for which we should all be grateful to its founders and be proud as a community. A community fridge not only plays a direct role in addressing food insecurity and food waste, but also teaches us so much about what it means to be neighbors. The motto you’ll find on the Watertown Community Fridge’s posters and postcards says it all:“Take what you need, give what you can.” The purpose of a community fridge is to provide free food 24/7 to anyone who visits.

Around Town

Alzheimer’s Association Hosting Luminary Walk of Hope in Watertown

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The Alzheimer’s Association Massachusetts/New Hampshire Chapter will host the Luminary Walk for Hope on Dec. 20 from 7-8 p.m. at Victory Field in Watertown. The Alzheimer’s Association sent out the following information:

As we prepare for the Winter Solstice, we invite you to join us for a luminary lighting and walk of hope for the first survivor. Enjoy a musical performance and hot chocolate bar as we honor those living with dementia as well their caregivers, and remember all of those we have lost. This is a FREE outdoor event, all are welcome!

Around Town

Entries Wanted for Watertown Holiday Lighting & Decorations Contest

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Enter the Watertown Holiday Decorations and Lights Contest and win money for yourself and your favorite local charity. Which house in Watertown has the best holiday display? If you think it is your home, enter the Watertown Holiday Lighting & Decoration Contest. The winner will receive a $250 American Express gift card and $250 for your favorite Watertown charity or non-profit organization. Homes will be judged on the following criteria:

Unique design and creative use of lights and decorationsStoryline or themeDisplay and placement of decorations, animated objects, etc.Overall presentation

Judges will not enter the home or walk in the yard.

Around Town

Nationwide Health & Wellness Program for Kids Started with Local Organization Teaming with Watertown Boys & Girls Club

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A local non-profit organization that provides health and wellness classes to youth around the country got its start by working with the Watertown Boys & Girls Club. One for Health was created by a pair of friends since junior high school, Bruce Campelia and Tom Miller, who came up with the idea in 2011 while sitting next to Lake Winnipesaukee. They wanted to do something to help change the tide of rising childhood obesity and poor health in America, and came up with the idea of providing free classes. Miller had experience building brands having started an advertising specialty business from scratch and making it into a firm that is well known in the industry. Campelia founded technology start-ups and later moved into health and created a wellness center in Pennsylvania.

Around Town

Some Watertown Organizations to Donate to on #GivingTuesday

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Nov. 30, 2021 is Giving Tuesday, a day when people are encouraged to donate to groups and organizations doing work to help the community. Here are some local groups to consider supporting. Watertown Boys & Girls Club

The Watertown Boys & Girls Club received a donation of a $1,000 from PhPMA and it has been requested that this donation be used as a matching gift In Memory Of Billy O’Brien, a longtime Club member and Watertown resident. Our goal for this event is to match the $1,000 in Memory of Billy O’Brien.

Charity

Toyota of Watertown Hosting Toy Drive to Help Local Children Have Christmas Gifts

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Toyota of Watertown announced it will be collecting toys for children during the holidays. The dealership put out the following information:

We have teamed up with the Watertown police department and the Whooley Foundation for our annual toy drive. Former Sergeant John “Sonny” Whooley began the tradition over 30 years ago. After he died, the police department decided to keep his spirit of giving alive and established the Whooley Foundation in Sonny’s honor. We are collecting donations of new unwrapped toys, gift cards, and monetary donations to assist with 100 different family’s in our community.

Around Town

Watertown Rotary Club Hosting 50/50 Raffle to Raise Money for Senior Cookout, Scholarships & More

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The following information was provided by the Rotary Club of Watertown:

This is your chance to win big (right in time for the holidays!) AND help the Rotary Club do good in Watertown! 

Join us for our Holiday Celebration and Raffle Drawing on Tuesday 12/7 from 6pm – 7:30pm at Donohue’s (87 Bigelow Ave., Watertown)! The Rotary Club of Watertown is part of Rotary International, a global network of volunteers who share a passion for enhancing communities and improving lives around the world. The Rotary Club here in Watertown was chartered in 1925 and our members participate in an array of service projects that address community needs at home and abroad. Some of our favorite local service projects & donations include:

– Our annual Senior Citizen Cookout where we treat over 200 Watertown senior citizens to a BBQ lunch and entertainment from local dance studios

– Partnering with Operation American Soldier to pack care packages that are sent to US Soldiers serving around the world

– In 2017, the Rotary Club launched Food for Thought, a program focused on ending childhood hunger and food insecurity in Watertown and allowing kids to come to school with full bellies and the ability to focus on learning. Each week, bags of food are packed and distributed to participating kids so that they will have access to enough food over the weekend.