Dear Editor,
Wow! Watertown, you knocked Watertown Helps Out (WHO) out of the park! The Watertown Community Foundation has organized WHO for 12 years and this was the best one yet. Watertown residents, community partners, corporate sponsors, students, and city leaders came together in an extraordinary month of community service.
Together, we logged more than 1,000 volunteer hours dedicated to 40 different projects directly supporting 20 nonprofit organizations across our city. These numbers reflect more than just participation — they represent a shared commitment to service, compassion, and strengthening the fabric of our community.
We are especially grateful to our corporate sponsors Enanta Pharmaceuticals, Butcherbox, C4 Therapeutics, Kymera Therapeutics, Life Sciences at Arsenal Yards, and Watertown Savings Bank whose continued investment and enthusiasm made it possible to expand the reach of this initiative. Their partnership provided essential resources and demonstrated a strong commitment to civic responsibility and local engagement.
Our sincerest thanks also go to the City of Watertown, whose collaboration helped plan and coordinate projects and mobilize resources to bring people together. A special shout out to the Watertown Public Schools and the Watertown Police Department for their support of the city-wide food drive which helped restock both our city’s pantries with healthy food for kids and families.
And, our deepest appreciation to the non-profit organizations and civic groups that began planning for WHO in late winter – identifying projects, meeting with corporate sponsors, and staffing teams of community and corporate volunteers so their efforts made a meaningful difference.
And none of this would have been possible without the volunteers — neighbors, families, students, colleagues — who gave their time and energy to enhance our public spaces, donate and pick up food for the food drive, support nonprofit missions, and contribute to environmental initiatives that will benefit Watertown for years to come. Each contribution played a role in building a healthier, more connected community.
The success and impact of this year’s Watertown Helps Out stands as a powerful reminder of what we can do when a community unites with purpose. Thank you to everyone who supported and participated.
Together, we can do so much!
With appreciation and pride,
Lauren Coughlin Unsworth, Co-President
Mary Ann Mulligan, Co-President
Tia Tilson, Executive Director