Watertown News (https://www.watertownmanews.com/category/more/charity/page/30/)
Watertown Helps Out! Fourth Annual Community Day of Service kicks off Saturday, May 6, 8:30 a.m. at the Arsenal Project
How do you give back to the community? Where are organizations that need your help? Are there opportunities for your family to serve? In 2014, the Watertown Community Foundation created a townwide day of service, Watertown Helps Out, to fill this need.
On June 4, Watertown Resident Mike Scafidi will Buzz his head and beard at the 8th Annual One Mission Buzz Off to raise money to help fund programs for kids with cancer. One Mission programs make living in the hospital less lonely and stressful, bring back joy in a time of fear and uncertainty, and give kids and their loved ones the support they need to get through the emotional and financial challenges of treatment. Since 2009, One Mission has raised more than $7 million dollars and has brought smiles, comfort and support to over 7,000 kids fighting cancer and their families. Registration for the 2017 Buzz Off at Gillette Stadium on June 4 is now open! For more information go to www.buzzforkids.org
Volunteers gathered at the Belmont-Watertown United Methodist Church’s Watertown location and packed more than 10,000 meals to fight hunger around the world.
More than 100 people took part in Rise Against Hunger on March 25. The goal of the effort is to end world hunger by 2030. “We believe we can make a positive difference in the fight against hunger. Even seemingly small contributions can add up to a BIG impact,” organizers said. Find out more about the Rise Against Hunger here, http://www.riseagainsthunger.org/
The Rotary Club of Watertown invites the public to join them at two community service projects, one in May and one that is ongoing.
Watertown Rotary President Lilia Weisfeldt sent out the following announcement:
Operation American Soldier – Tuesday, May 16 from 5:30-8 p.m.
This is a great community service project that is quick, easy and fun! We will be packing care packages that will be sent to American soldiers around the world to brighten their day. Pizza will be provided at 5:30 p.m. and we will be packing care packages from 6-8 p.m.
Please RSVP to Lilia Weisfeldt (lilia@ballroominboston.com) if you are interested in joining the packing party. This event is open to all ages so feel free to invite your kids, grandkids, etc. Food for Thought Bag Packing: Thursdays from 10:30-11:45 a.m.
The Rotary Club of Watertown’s Food for Thought program kicked off in January and we are still going strong!
Watertown-native Steve Farrell will take on the Boston Marathon for the second time, this time with his fiance Todd Robinson, and they will raise money to help connect low income families and individuals with housing that they can afford. Farrell, who is the Director of Communications, Development and Policy for the Metropolitan Boston Housing Partnership (MBHP), has been running for a few years, and growing up near the Marathon course he dreamed as a child of running the fabled race. When he was young Farrell would run a race from Waltham City Hall to the then Watertown Police Station in Watertown Square and then would either go home to watch the Marathon called by Chet Curtis and Natalie Jacobson or go with an older sibling to watch the race live. Farrell ran his first marathon in 2012, and this year he will be joined by his fiance, who is newer to the sport. “Our first race together was the Dorchester Firefighter 10k Memorial that fall.
Watertown Boys & Girls Club will host their Annual Spring Auction this year on Thursday, May 4 at 6 p.m. This yearly event raises crucial funds for the organization, including over $15,000 for summer camp scholarships. The event will be held at the Oakley Country Club and will include a silent and live auction, hors d’oeuvres, a cash bar, and a meet & greet with some Boys & Girls Club members! The meet & greet portion of the evening is a new addition this year and will serve as an opportunity for attendees to get a better understanding of what really happens at the Club day-to-day. “It is our hope that by facilitating this meet & greet, event attendees will feel more connected to our mission. It’s one thing to support the Club, but to see it in action and witness how it changes kids’ lives is a whole different story!” said Kristina Norris, WBGC Director of Marketing & Special Events
Tickets can be purchased online at http://events.eventzilla.net/e/annual-spring-auction-2017-2138889274 for $50/each.
The Watertown Rotary Club will host a Spring Wine Tasting event at the Plumbing Museum to raise money for the club’s charitable causes.
The Rotary Club sponsors scholarships for Watertown students, and this year some of the money will also go to the Food for Thought program. This program provides meals for students in the Watertown students on weekends so that they do not go hungry and are prepared to learn when they return to class on Monday. Find out more here. The Club is selling tickets to the event, and also seeks advertisers for the event program and sponsors for the event. For more information on tickets, ads and sponsorships email watertownrotary@gmail.com
From 2006 to 2016 the club handed out more than $300,000 to causes in the community, including:
• Watertown Families in Need
• Cancer Research
• Watertown Food Pantries
• Watertown Public Library
• Watertown Public Schools Programs
• Watertown Boys & Girls Club
• Watertown Human Services Agencies
• Arts & Theater Sponsorships
• College Sponsorships for Watertown Residents
• Flags on Main St, Mt Auburn St and Arsenal St
• Rotary Foundation – Polio Eradication
• International Aid (Disaster Relief, Clean Water, etc)
The Ed Wash Foundation, in memory of the fallen Boston firefighter and Watertown native, will host a Spring Fundraiser on March 24 featuring music, food and raffles.
The event will be held on March 24, 2017 from 7 p.m.-midnight at the American Legion Post 440, 295 California St., Newton. Tickets cost $20 in advance or $25 at door Purchase tickets at bit.ly/March32417
Entertainment for the evening will be provided by Boston rock band Fenian Sons. Proceeds from the event will be used for the Smile-On Grant program that provides grant money to teachers, coaches, parents and specialists who help children in school and sports, according to the organizers. “Please help us by bringing a book for our book drive. Imagine a school without a library, or a home with no books to read when you get home from school.