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.

Around Town

Donation Drive & Free Store to be Hosted by Watertown Mutual Aid

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Watertown Mutual Aid announced it will host a Donation Drive and Free Store on Sunday, Nov. 7. The event will be at Ballroom in Boston, 100 Parker St. in Watertown. The Donation Drive will take place from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Accepted items:

Winter coats (new/like-new)Cold-weather clothes for kids, newborn to young adult (new/like-new)Diapers and baby wipesMenstrual productsPersonal care items (shampoo, toothpaste, etc.)

Shop at the Free Store from 1-3 p.m. Free and open to all!

Around Town

Watertown Community Fridge Now Open, Give or Take Food for Free 24/7

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Watertown Community FridgeThe Watertown Community Fridge, located outside Francis Market. The Watertown Community Fridge officially opened this week, and people can take or leave food at the free community resource. The fridge is located in a shed outside of Francis Market, 1084 Belmont St. in Watertown. Organizers said people have already made use of the fridge.

Angel Flight Northeast

Watertown Ford Recognized for Philanthropic Service by Angel Flight Northeast

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Angel Flight NortheastHeather, Kerry, Shawn, Gerry, Larry & Kevin from Watertown Ford show the certificate received from Angel Flight Northeast. The following announcement was provided by Angel Flight NE:

Watertown Ford received the Angel Flight NE’s Outstanding Partnership Award for its commitment of providing essential Ground Crew services to support patients and families in need. Since 2020, the Ford Motor Company Fund has been supporting Angel Flight NE’s mission of coordinating free air transportation for children and adults to access life-saving medical treatment. Since its founding, Angel Flight NE has scheduled more than 103,000 patients/passengers’ flights who have been flown more than 14 million miles. A vital component of Angel Flight NE’s mission is its Ground Crew services that provide free ground transportation to and from airports and medical facilities for our patients, which Watertown Ford is actively participating in.

Around Town

Watertown Teen Inspiration for Jimmy Fund Walk Participants, Including 7 from Town

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Watertown’s Kate Morris, 13, is a Walk Hero and will help inspire participants in this year’s virtual Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk. The following piece was provided by the Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk:

Seven residents from Watertown will choose their own route on October 3 for the annual Boston Marathon® Jimmy Fund Walk: Your Way presented by Hyundai. Participants are encouraged to “Walk Your Way” from wherever they are most comfortable whether that be from their neighborhood, local park, favorite trail, or even a treadmill in their own home.    

Martha Krache, David Morris, Garry Nolan, Thomas Opar, Cheryl Ramhorst, Michelle Sloan, and Alexis Tice, along with thousands of other walkers, will participate in virtual programming during the Walk that aims to recreate the most inspiring elements of Walk day. While the event will not physically bring walkers together along the famed Boston Marathon® course, it will unite the community to raise funds to support all forms of adult and pediatric care and cancer research at the nation’s premier cancer center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. The event has raised more than $150 million for Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in its 30+ year history. 

Walk Heroes are matched with Jimmy Fund Walk teams to give participants an opportunity to connect with patients.

Around Town

Watertown Community Foundation Gets Biggest Grant Ever, Using it to Support 3 Organizations

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The Watertown Community Foundation will help three local organizations with grants over $100,000 after the foundation received the largest grant in its history. The money will go to Metro West Collaborative Development, Watertown Boys & Girls Club, and Wayside Youth and Family Support Network. The funds came to the Watertown Community Foundation in a grant from the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development Community Foundations Grant Program for COVID-19 Relief. “This $400,000 grant is the largest single grant that our foundation has ever received,” said WCF co-president Darshna Varia. “We have been able to distribute the funds quickly and directly to where they are needed most.