Watertown News (https://www.watertownmanews.com/category/more/charity/)
The Watertown Boys & Girls Club will hold the 2026 Stephen P. Mugar Memorial Golf Tournament on Monday, Aug. 3. Registration is open for golfers and the club seeks sponsorships in an effort to raise up to $80,000 in matching funds. See more details in the information from the Club, below. Since its inaugural tournament in 1978, the Watertown Boys & Girls Club annual golf tournament has been the cornerstone of the Club’s fundraising calendar.
Shane and Brady Gleason shaved their heads to raise money to battle kids cancer at The Buzz Off. (Contributed Photo)
A Watertown son and father drew a big crowd to watch them shave their heads for a good cause, and raised several thousand dollars. Watertown High School grad Brady Gleason hosted the Buzz Off on April 17. The event raised money for One Mission Helping Kids Fight Cancer. Brady’s father, Shane, said that this had been a long time cause for his son.
Watertown Helps Out starts soon and there are hundreds of ways to give back to the community. See more information in the announcement provided by the Watertown Community Foundation, below. The Watertown Community Foundation, with the support of local company sponsors and the City of Watertown, is kicking off the 12th Annual Watertown Helps Out (WHO), a month of community service, taking place throughout the month of May. This year’s corporate sponsors include ButcherBox and Enanta Pharmaceuticals, Arsenal Yards Life Sciences, C4 Therapeutics, Kymera Therapeutics and Watertown Savings Bank. From May 2 through May 31, the Watertown Community Foundation invites residents, businesses, schools and neighborhoods to come together and volunteer to make a positive impact across the city.
The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Citizens Refugee Support Group:
The Watertown Citizens Refugee Support Group (WCRSG), a working group of Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice and the Environment (WCPJE), is pleased to announce the receipt of a 2026 Essential Needs Grant from the Watertown Community Foundation. This $6,500 grant will fund Emergent Essential Needs for Watertown Immigrant and Refugee Families, providing direct financial assistance to Watertown residents facing hardships paying for rent, utilities, other housing expenses, or transportation. To be eligible, individuals must live in Watertown. To apply for funds, please complete this Google form: https://forms.gle/S97iikL3G45vj9nq9. Contact RefugeeSupport@watertowncitizens.org for more information.
Watertown Helps Out, a chance for people to give back to the community where they live and/or work, returns in May. The Watertown Community Foundation has a list of places to make a difference throughout the months. See more details in the announcement from the Foundation, below. Would you like to give back to the community you love? The Watertown Community Foundation (WCF), along with local sponsors and dozens of neighbors, will be out in the community again during the Month of May 2026, volunteering to make Watertown a nicer place to live and work.
If you would like to volunteer please take a peek at all of the opportunities available in the month of May. More volunteer opportunities are still to be added, so check back in from time to time. We’re looking forward to a fantastic community Month in Watertown!
Sailors deployed to the Middle East received care packages sent from Watertown. (Contributed Photo)
Packages sent by a Watertown-based Operation American Soldier put a smile on the faces of a group of sailors deployed to the Middle East. The non-profit group has been providing care packages to troops for 24 years, said Wendy Rocca, one of the founders. OAS sends between 1,200 and 1,800 packages a year depending on the need, the group’s stock, and available funds. Volunteers put together the care packages, which include snacks, drink mix, some toys, and a handwritten note.
A mini-golf fundraiser will be held April 18 in memory of Thomas Tsekrekas and the proceeds will benefit brain cancer research. The second annual Indoor Miniature Golf Fundraiser is being organized by Thomas’ son Jimmy, and the Watertown AHEPA Chapter 406. It will take place on Saturday, April 18, from noon to 4 p.m. at the Watertown Greek Church, 25 Bigelow Ave. “We gather to honor the legacy of our past President Thomas Tsekrekas, who was a pillar of strength, a friend to all, and a man whose kindness left a lasting mark on every life he touched. May his Memory be Eternal.
The Watertown and Belmont community came together on March 28 for the annual Dally Cup Hockey game, raising more than $13,000 in honor of Grace Garabedian to benefit CFC International. The event, supported by the Belmont Police and Fire Departments, the Belmont Youth Hockey Association, and local friends and families, highlighted the strength and generosity of the community while bringing awareness to Cardiofaciocutaneous Syndrome (CFC), a rare geneticcondition. Grace Garabedian was born with CFC, a disorder that commonly affects the heart, facial features, and skin. She has faced ongoing challenges related to growth, development, and a demanding schedule of medical appointments. Funds raised from the Dally Cup will directly support research, education, and resources for individuals and families impacted by CFC.
The Buzz Off fund raiser for One Mission Helping Kids Fight Cancer in Watertown will feature Comedian Will Noonan. The Buzz Off will be on Friday, April 17, 2026, at Hibernian Hall, 151 Watertown St., Watertown. Doors open at 6 p.m. and show begins at 7 p.m.
Noonan was named “Boston’s Best Comedian” by The Improper Bostonian magazine in 2018. Following the comedy, music will be provided by Dean Corsi. The event will be hosted by Watertown’s Brady Gleason,
The Buzz Off features a cash bar, a 50/50 raffle, and pizza and other food will be available for purchase.