Around Town

Sold Out Donohue’s Turkey Trot Draws More Than 1,500 Runners & Walkers

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More than 1,500 people took part in the 20th Donohue’s Turkey Trot. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

The 20th edition of the Donohue’s Turkey Trot drew the biggest crowd in the history of the Thanksgiving morning 5K run and walk. More than 1,500 people joined in the event, which raises money for the Watertown Boys & Girls Club. The Turkey Trot has become a Thanksgiving tradition in Watertown. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

Competitors came from as far as New Zealand and England to take part in the Turkey Trot, said JD Donohue, owner of Donohue’s.

Business

Local Company Buys 95 Thanksgiving Dinners for Watertown Families

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Akian Plumbing teamed with the Whooley Foundation to provide 95 Thanksgiving meals. The Whooley Foundation, along with a donation by Steven and Alex Akian — owners of Watertown’s Akian Plumbing, Heating, & Air Conditioning — provided over 95 full Thanksgiving meals to families in town this week. The effort began four years ago when the Akians donated 10 dinners, said Lt. Ken Swift, who heads the Whooley Foundation. This year, 23 more families received meals than in 2024. Swift called it a collaboration between the Police, City departments, community organizations, and Akian.

Around Town

Watertown Savings Employees Prepare Backpacks to Send to Troops Via Operation American Soldier

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Employees from Watertown Savings Bank put together more than 130 backpacks for troops at Operation American Soldier. (Contributed Photo)

Recently employees from Watertown Savings Bank helped out at Operation American Soldier, and filled backpacks to send to American servicemen and women. The volunteers went to the Watertown-based non-profit and put together more than 130 backpacks to send to troops, said Wendy Rocca, co-founder of Operation American Soldier. Each pack also included a handwritten note. The backpacks included a note to the serviceman or woman who will receive it.

Around Town

Wayside Multi’s PSA Debuts on Cable, Focuses on How the Program Meets Residents’ Needs

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A screenshot from the Wayside Youth and Family Network Multi Service Center’s PSA. The Wayside Youth and Family Support Network Multi-Service Center recently debuted a public service announcement on Watertown Cable Access TV, featuring Program Director Sophia Suarez-Friedman. She spoke about the increasing stress among Watertown residents as they struggle to meet basic needs. Through Wayside, residents can be connected to housing assistance, food, and more services. Wayside provides a variety of services, including outreach, counseling services, and substance use prevention.

Around Town

Watertown Hibernians Hosting Turkey Shoot to Benefit Sonny Whooley Fund

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The Ancient Order of Hibernians Division 14, Watertown, MA is hosting our Annual Turkey Shoot to benefit the Sonny Whooley Fund. See details provided by the Hibernians, below. During the Turkey Shoot 40 Turkeys, 40 Bags of Vegetables, 40 Pies, and 40 Gallons of Cider will be raffled off. The event takes place Friday, Nov. 21 at Hibernian Hall, 151 Watertown St., Watertown, MA.

Charity

Gold Kings Hosting Fundraiser for Operation American Soldier at Next Home Game

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The Gold Kings will be hosting a fund raiser for Operation American Soldier. (Photo by John Merritt)

The Boston Gold Kings, Watertown’s semi-pro hockey team, is teaming up with Operation American Soldier to raise money to send care packages to military servicemen and women. See details from the Gold Kings, below. Join the Boston Gold Kings for their first ever Military Appreciation Night on Saturday, Nov. 22 at 7:30 p.m. in support of Watertown’s Operation American Soldier!

Charity

LETTER: Food Pantry Thanks Community for Its Support; Even With SNAP Restored the Need is Not Over

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It has been a whirlwind of a month at the Watertown Food Pantry, as we faced one of the greatest obstacles in feeding our clients that we have encountered. We’ve been through COVID, the fall of our ceiling, and, at this moment, the emergent loss of our space, but the loss of life-saving SNAP benefits for our clients was devastating, personal, and emotional to all of our volunteers who care so much for our clients. And yet, they showed up, handed out as much as they could, with sympathy, empathy, and love to all who came through our doors. My heartfelt thanks and gratitude goes out to all these unsung hero’s, without whom, we could not do what we do. And to our Watertown Community — you always come through for us!  Thank you for all your donations of food! Thank you for all your monetary donations! Thank you for your words of support!

Around Town

Watertown Community Foundation Distributes $7,000 in Donations to Food Pantries

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Tia Tilson, Executive Director, Watertown Community Foundation, delivers a donation check for the Watertown Food Pantry to Jenna Bancroft, Director of Human Services, City of Watertown. The Watertown Community Foundation announced the donations received in the first days of the drive to support local food pantries. The drive runs through December. See details in the announcement from the Watertown Community Foundation, below. The Watertown Community Foundation received $7,000 in donations to support both of Watertown’s food pantries to date.