Charity

LETTER: Wayside Thanks Supporters During a Challenging 2020

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The holiday season is upon us and it’s the most wonderful time of the year for many. But for some, it can be challenging and filled with worry. Not all families can provide gifts for their loved ones. Typically, the Watertown Social Services Resource Specialist (SSRS) Program, a Wayside Youth & Family Support Network program at the Multi-Service Center, works with local churches and businesses to provide holiday gifts for families in need. As you can imagine, this year proved to bevery challenging due to COVID-19 and the many restrictions we have in place.

Business

Hundreds of Toys Collected by Mall for Watertown Police Gift Drive

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Retired Watertown Police Officer Dave Collins and Patricia Stenson, the General Manager of the Watertown Mall, pictured with the gifts donated to the Whooley Foundation at the Watertown Mall. This December, the Watertown Mall collected gifts to donate to the Watertown Police Department’s Whooley Foundation, which makes sure no children in Watertown go without a Christmas present. The last day of gift collection was Dec. 21 and a total of 165 gifts were donated. Retired Watertown Police Officer Dave Collins, who helps run the Whooley Foundation, welcomed Patricia Stenson, the General Manager of the Watertown Mall, with the gifts collected at the Mall.

Around Town

Watertown Boys & Girls Partners with Philanthropic Group to Get New Solar Panels

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The Watertown Boys & Girls Club received new Solar panels (not shown) thanks to a partnership with Rise Up Solar and SunBug Solar. The following information was provided by SunBug Solar:

Watertown Boys & Girls Club, a local non-profit, has partnered with Rise Up Solar, a philanthropic solar investment firm, to turn rising energy costsinto an opportunity to go green and save big. After some renovations to the facilities in 2016, the Watertown Boys & Girls Club’s utility bills skyrocketed. Renee Gaudette, Watertown BGC’s executive director, recognized that this extra cost took money away from the kids they serve. The organization had already been investigating a solar solution, but years of searching ended due to difficulty with the roof, somelofty trees, and a steep initial cost to invest.

Charity

Watertown Mall & Police Department Collecting Toys for Local Children

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The Watertown Mall is collecting toys for the Watertown Police Department’s Whooley Foundation’s Annual Gift Drive. The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Mall:

This year the Watertown Mall teamed up with the Watertown Police Department to help collect gift donations for the Sonny Whooley Foundation’s Annual Gift Drive. The Watertown Mall will continue to collect donations until Monday, December 21st. If you would like to participate, please visit the Giving Tree located inside the mall’s back hallway across from Carter’s and Target. 

Charity

Toyota of Watertown Collecting Toys for Whooley Foundation

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Toys will be collected at Toyota of Watertown for the Whooley Foundation, which benefits kids in Watertown. The following information was provided by Toyota of Watertown. Toyota of Watertown has teamed up with the Watertown police department and the Whooley Foundation this year to collect donation for the 2020-2021 Holiday Season. Former Sergeant John “Sonny” Whooley began the tradition over 30 years ago. After he died, the police department decided to keep his spirit of giving alive and established the Whooley Foundation in Sonny’s honor.

Charity

Watertown Mall Teams with Police for Annual Gift Drive

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Mall:

This year the Watertown Mall has teamed up with the Watertown Police Department to collect gift donations for the Whooley Foundation’s Annual Gift Drive. The Whooley Foundation’s mission is: To ensure that no child or family in our community goes without some joy during the holiday season. The Giving Tree is located inside the mall between the Registry of Motor Vehicles and Miss Maria’s School of Dance. The tags on the tree are for boys & girls ages 12-18. There are no specific items on the tags, but gift guides are available near the tree to assist with gift donations; all gifts are appreciated.

Charity

Some Watertown Groups to Help on #GivingTuesday

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Dec. 1 is Giving Tuesday and Watertown has a number of organizations that are seeking donations. See information about the groups and how to give below. Mosesian Center for the Arts

The Watertown-based arts center sent out information, including:

Your support is crucial right now. Your generous donation will help ensure that MCA continues through the coming months and into the years ahead. You’ll be sustaining quality and affordable arts programming with an increasing online presence and plans to resume in person when we can gather safely again.

Around Town

Donations Sought for Watertown Mutual Aid’s Winter Coat Drive

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The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Mutual Aid Network:

Join us for the Winter Coat Drive on Saturday, Dec 12th, 12-3 p.m benefitting Watertown organizations and families. Please share the flyer with your friends and neighbors! We are accepting donations of:

NEW & LIKE NEW winter coats for children and adultsNEW hats, gloves, scarves for children and adultsNEW children’s pajamas