Charity

Watertown Woman Raising Money for Alzheimer’s Awareness

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Judy Johanson, of Watertown is rallying her team, This is Our Life, to raise funds and awareness for an Alzheimer’s Association event called The Longest Day on June 21, 2015. The Longest Day, focused on the summer solstice was created in recognition of the long days that are part of living with Alzheimer’s disease, according to the announcement from the Alzheimer’s Association. Johanson’s husband Steve was diagnosed with younger-onset Alzheimer’s just prior to his 59th birthday. Judy and Steve had previously reached out to the Alzheimer’s Association, Massachusetts/New Hampshire Chapter when his mother was diagnosed in her late 70s. The family used many of the free support services offered to families such as care consultation to help manage care for Steve’s mother.

Charity

Auction Raises More Than $50,000 for Watertown Boys & Girls Club

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The Watertown Boys and Girls Club held its Annual Spring Auction on Thursday, May 7 at the Oakley Country Club. Over 150 Club supporters were in attendance for the fundraiser featuring a live and silent auction. The event raised over $50,000 for our organization including $13,000 in camp scholarships. These funds are used to help defray the cost of attending our Summer Adventure Program at Camp Hale in Westwood, for kids whose families might otherwise not be able to afford it. “We wish to thank all our sponsors and guests for their support!

Business

Vote to Help Your Favorite Local Charity Win a Share of $30,000

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The Belmont Savings Bank Foundation today announced the next round of a $30,000 grant competition for its charitable giving initiative in Watertown. Previously, residents nominated local charities that are now eligible for a donation based on voting, according to an announcement from the bank. Through the initiative, the Belmont Savings Bank Foundation will invest $10,000 into three programs located in Watertown. The voting deadline is June 15, 2015. 

All approved organizations have a 20-day period to drive voting which is taking place on the Foundation website. During the initial round, Watertown charitable organizations had until May 20th to submit an application after being nominated.

Charity

Watertown Eighth-Grader Met the Governor, Ran Kids Clothing Drive

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Eighth-grader Honor Petrie was chosen to represent all of Watertown Middle School in a statewide event – Project 351 – where she got to meet Gov. Charlie Baker. This spring, she organized a clothing drive at the school that collected dozens of bags of clothes to give to Cradles to Crayons, a children’s charity. 

Watertown News asked Petrie about her experiences as Watertown’s ambassador to Project 351 and her clothing drive. Q: How were you chosen to represent Watertown Middle School for Project 351, and why did you want to become an Ambassador? A: I hadn’t ever heard of Project 351 until I was called down to the office one day at school, and my principal (Mr. Carter) explained to me what Project 351 is, and why I was chosen to be Ambassador. I was really surprised and so excited.

Charity

Relay for Life Will Welcome Inspiration for a Hit Book and Movie

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Attendees of the Relay for Life in Watertown will hear from the family that inspired the bestselling book and hit movie “The Fault in Our Stars.” This year, the Relay for Life Watertown Newton Waltham will be held at Victory Field in Watertown on May 30 from 3 p.m. to 10 a.m. on June 1. During the event’s Luminaria Ceremony, which honors and remembers those lost to cancer, at approximately 9 p.m., guest speaker Lori Earl, the mother of a young cancer patient whose battle with the disease inspired the powerful 2014 romantic drama “The Fault in Our Stars,” will address the crowd and share her personal story, according to an announcement from the American Cancer Society. Sign up to participate in the Relay for Life or donate by clicking here.

Charity

Watertown Man Raising Money to Help People in His Village in Nepal

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A Watertown man is looking to his neighbors in his current hometown to help neighbors in the village where he grew up that suffered major damage in the earthquake that hit Nepal. 

The 7.8 magnitude earthquake has killed more than 7,000 people, injured 14,000 and left much of the Himalayan nation devastated. The United Nations estimates that 300,000 homes were destroyed in the quake. Watertown resident Samrat Sengupta has started a GoFundMe.com fundraiser to help his village, Setidovan, Shyangja – located about 140 miles outside of Kathmandu. “There has been no news coverage or any media presence in my village because it is remote and it is small,” Sengupta wrote on his page. “Due to the damages to the roads and landslides, my village has not had access to any medical or housing assistance.

Around Town

See How The Walk for Hunger Will Impact Watertown

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The annual Walk for Hunger will wind through the Boston area, including a section in Watertown on Sunday, May 3 – see how it will impact your day. Thousands of people will take part in the 47th annual Walk For Hunger. The 20-mile walk benefits Project Bread and raises awareness about the issue of hunger. The Project Bread website says: “The Walk brings together people from many different communities and cultures – and attracts parents, kids, students, and corporations. But everyone comes to offer hope to hungry people and to support Project Bread’s fresh approach to ending hunger: programs that help to provide sustainable access to healthy, nutritious food to those in need.

Business

Local Groups Can Apply for 3, $10,000 Grants from Belmont Savings

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The Belmont Savings Bank Foundation announced a $30,000 grant competition as part of its charitable giving initiative in Watertown. Local residents will nominate charities that will then be eligible for a donation based on voting. Through the initiative, the Belmont Savings Bank Foundation will invest $10,000 into three programs located in Watertown. Applications should include efforts for health, education, affordable housing or youth programs. The nomination deadline is May 20, 2015. Following May 20, all approved organizations will have a 20-day period to drive voting which will take place on the Foundation website.