Around Town

Items Being Dumped at Watertown Boy & Girls Club Costing Hundreds to Remove

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Items recently dumped in the parking lot of the Watertown Boys & Girls Cluh. Recently, the Watertown Boys & Girls Club has been receiving some unwanted drop-offs in the form of furniture, mattresses, and other items being left in or around the club’s dumpster. The club serves about 150 school-age children each day in its afterschool and aquatics programs. Usually, the items are dropped off at night, and they are costing the Club money, said Executive Director Gary Beatty. “I can’t say for certain if it’s people being vindictive, or if it’s like simply miseducation,” Beatty said. “I get the sense that some people see a dumpster in our parking lot, and assume that it’s just a place that’s available for the public to come and dump their unwanted belongings.”

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.

Around Town

Watertown Boys & Girls Club Running December Vacation Program

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December vacation 2025 is longer that most years, and the Watertown Boys & Girls Club will be offering limited daily programs during the school break. See more information provided by the WBGC, below. WBGC is offering a December vacation program that will run across four days on December 22/23/29/30 for kids ages 7-12 during the break to help families keep their kids busy and active during the break. Registration for our program is now open and we’re offering a $10/day discount on the daily fee for all registrations by Nov. 1, 2025.

Around Town

Registration Open for Watertown Boys & Girls Club Biddy Basketball

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The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Boys & Girls Club:

WBGC Biddy Basketball is an 8-week instructional program designed to introduce young players to the fundamental techniques, skills and rules of basketball in a fun, team environment. The focus of this program is on technical development and building confidence with the ball. This co-ed program is open to Boys and Girls in Grades 2 & 3 only. All registered players will be assigned to a team that will be coached by a parent/guardian volunteer, with all midweek practices and Saturday AM games taking place in the Watertown Boys & Girls Club gymnasium. GIRLS DIVISION! 

Following the success of its introduction in 2025, Biddy Basketball will once again offer a girls-only division in 2026!

Around Town

Tickets Available for 2025 Mugar Golf Tournament Benefiting the Watertown Boys & Girls Club

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The 48th Annual Stephen P. Mugar Memorial Golf Tournament, benefiting the Watertown Boys & Girls Club will take place on Monday, Aug. 11, and tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available. See more details from the Watertown Boys & Girls Club below. WHEN: Monday, Aug 11, 2025 at 11:30 AM to 7:00 PM

WHERE: Oakley Country Club, 410 Belmont Street, Watertown, MA

There are many ways to support the 48th Annual Stephen P. Mugar Memorial Golf Tournament in 2025 as a participant or sponsor. Securing a sponsorship and/or participating in our Tournament makes a direct impact in the communities we serve.

Sports

Watertown Swimmers Head to Florida to Compete at Boys & Girls Club Nationals

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A member of the Watertown Wavemakers, competed at the Boys & Girls Club National Championships in Florida. (Photo by Jessica vonGoeler)

The following piece was provided by Erin Hickey coach of the Watertown Wavemakers:

Members of the Watertown Boys & Girls Club Wavemakers swim team recently dove into fierce competition at the Boys & Girls Club National Swim Meet in St. Petersburg, Florida, from April 11-13, showcasing their talent among the nation’s best young athletes. Watertown Boys & Girls Club has been representing the community annually at the Nationals swim meet since 2012. This year, a group of 17 determined swimmers ages 10-17 made the trip under the leadership of Wavemakers Head Coach Erin Hickey and assistant coaches Jenn Lawlor and Dylan Hickey.

Around Town

Watertown Boys & Girls Club Advocates for Funding on Beacon Hill, Rep. Lawn Honored as Champion of Youth

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State Rep. John Lawn, center, was honored as the House Champion of Youth on March 26 at the State House. He posed with the Watertown Boys & Girls Club’s Club Director Anthony Parker, left, and WBGC Executive Director Gary Beatty, right. (Contributed Photo)

The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Boys & Girls Club:

On March 26, Representatives of Watertown Boys & Girls Club joined their colleagues from across the state for the Massachusetts Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs’ 22nd Annual Legislative Luncheon and Advocacy Day at the State House on Beacon Hill. Club staff, youth members, boards of directors, and elected officials were in attendance from across the Commonwealth. The event featured remarks from State Representative John Lawn, State Senator Brendan Crighton, State Senator Michael Rodrigues, Boys & Girls Club of America Hall of Famer “Marvelous” Marvin McIntyre, and Haybi Garcia, 2024 Massachusetts Youth of the Year and alumnus of the Waltham Boys & Girls Club.

Around Town

Watertown Boys & Girls Club Names Youth of the Year, Awards Scholarship in Memory of Former Winner

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Watertown Boys & Girls Club’s 2025 Youth of the Year Jenna Houjazy and the judges: Jaqueline Sullivan, Stephanie Venizelos, and Carey Conkey-Finn. (Contributed Photo)

The Watertown Boys & Girls Club recently celebrated the achievements of several club members and awarded the 2025 Youth of the Year. Also, for the first time the club presented a scholarship award for the club’s aquatics program named for a former Youth of the Year winner who passed away last year. See more details in the announcement from the Watertown Boys & Girls Club. Watertown Boys & Girls Club hosted its annual “Rising Stars” Youth of the Year celebration on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, recognizing the outstanding achievements and leadership of some of its youth members.