BOSTON (August 7, 2025) – Many young people in foster care enter new schools with few resources, making it difficult to keep pace with their peers. Boston CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) is seeking community support to fill back-to-school wishlists for children and youth who have experienced abuse and neglect. The organization's greatest need is for clothing gift cards from Old Navy, Kohl’s, DSW, and other retailers. Gift cards from Target, Marshalls, and Walmart are also needed for youth in college or entering independent living.
Boston CASA recruits, trains, and supports volunteers to serve as CASAs in Suffolk and Middlesex Counties for children removed from their homes, most of whom end up in foster care.
The challenges foster youth face are reflected in the statistics: only about half graduate from high school, and fewer than 4% go on to earn a four-year college degree. Steady support and access to basic necessities can help change these outcomes—building a stronger, more secure foundation for the children and youth who need it most.
Last year, the nonprofit gave more than $1,200 of gift cards and supplies to youth in need of back-to-school support. Boston CASA’s Back-To-School Drive runs through September 8.
In addition to school supplies, Boston CASA works year-round to help every child they serve celebrate their birthday. Community members can help by purchasing items from the organization’s Amazon “activities” wishlist, ensuring each child has a special gift to open on their big day.
To donate or learn more, visit linktr.ee/bostoncasa or email Charly Snellings at charly@bostoncasa.org.
About Boston CASA
Boston CASA recruits, trains, and supports volunteers to serve as Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs) in Suffolk and Middlesex Counties for children removed from their homes due to abuse and neglect, most of whom end up in foster care. Unlike mentors, CASAs work within the child welfare system, advocating directly in court and alongside DCF to ensure children in foster care receive the support, stability, and services they need. Research shows that just one consistent adult can change a child’s trajectory—help us be that difference. Volunteer, donate, or support our mission at www.bostoncasa.org . #ChangeAChildsStory

A support group for mothers in the loss of a child..........

Saturday August 16, 2025
10:30am-12:30pm

Hudson Public Library
Tavare Room
3 Washington St
Hudson, MA

www.mylesabove.org

Today (7/29) was hotter than hot but client families showed up to “shop” and donors came in a steady stream. We are very low on a lot of items; if you can help us by bringing your used (or new!) items, it would be so appreciated.

We need:
Couches, dish sets, small appliances (toasters, blenders, microwave ovens), and air fryers, book cases, storage cabinets, table lamps and vacuum cleaners.
Kitchen items: Large skillets, large pots, cereal bowls, drinking gasses, pot holders, cooking & baking pans.
Linens: Throw blankets, twin & full bed blankets, crib sheets, towels, queen & full sheet sets.

Finally - we have no shower hooks and liners in inventory at present.

Help if you can!
Check our website for location and hours to donate. www.freshstartfurniturebank.org
Thank you!

Leominster, MA – [July 31, 2025] – Habitat for Humanity North Central Massachusetts is thrilled to invite community members, businesses, and supporters to the Annual Building Dreams Golf Tournament on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, at the stunning Red Tail Golf Club in Devens, MA.

This exciting event brings together golf lovers and community champions for a day of fun, networking, and philanthropy — all in support of Habitat NCM’s mission to build strength, stability, and self-reliance through shelter.
Event Details:
Red Tail Golf Club – Devens, MA
Tuesday, September 9, 2025
Schedule:

• 7:00 AM – Registration
• 8:15 AM – Shotgun Start
• Lunch immediately following play

Whether you're swinging for the green or cheering from the sidelines, your participation helps fund three new affordable homes and over 35 critical home repairs each year for families in our local communities.
Golfer spots and sponsorships are available now – but selling fast!
Register today: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/8gfsyam
A special thank you to our generous sponsors, whose support makes this event possible:
All One Credit Union, The Law Office of David R. Rocheford, Jr., P.C., Rollstone Bank & Trust, McCarty Companies, Package Steel Systems, Inc., Main Street Bank, Doors Unlimited Inc., J Ferrera Associates, Inc., Rotary Club of Nashoba Valley, James Monroe Wire & Cable, GFA Federal Credit Union, Fidelity Bank MA, The Majestic Group, Powell Stone & Gravel, DMH Electric, Inc., Middlesex Savings Bank, Country Bank, Darcangelo Realty Group, and New England Sheets.

About Habitat NCM 
Habitat for Humanity North Central Massachusetts (NCM) offers a hand up, not a hand out, to hard-working, low-income families in central Massachusetts seeking affordable homeownership. Through volunteer labor and donations of money and materials, Habitat NCM builds and rehabilitates simple, decent houses alongside our homeowner partner families. Habitat NCM also operates the Leominster ReStore, which raises funds through the sale of discounted or recycled materials and furniture to support Habitat’s mission of providing affordable housing.

Congratulations to Debra's 2nd generation owner, Adam Stark. Adam received the 2025 INFRA Cheryl Hughes Brix Award for leadership in the natural products industry. After 9 years on the board of directors in Minneapolis and 30 years in Concord, Adam has made the Deb's Natural Gourmet team proud. The Brix award is because the store is "bricks and mortar". In addition to honoring Adam, his Mother was recognized with the naming of the Debra Stark Award.
If you haven't been to the Concord store, make it a field trip. The store has two locations next door to each other. You will love them both!

Acton:  Acton-Boxborough Farmer's Market
Runs Sundays June 15 – October 12 10AM – 1PM
Location: Elm Street Playground, Acton
Features live music and a variety of vendors including local produce and artisanal goods.

Maynard: Maynard Farmer's Market
Runs Saturdays 9AM – 1PM from the last Saturday in June to the last Saturday in September
Location: Mill Pond Parking Lot, Main Street in Maynard
Features local produce and products, live music, kids' activities, and information about local nonprofits.

Carlisle: Carlisle Farmer's Market
Runs Saturdays 8AM-12PM until September 27th
Location:  Kimball Farm Carlisle, 343 Bedford Road, Carlisle
Features local produce, baked goods, and arts and crafts.

Westford: Roudenbush Community Market
Runs Tuesdays from 3PM – 7PM until August 26
Location: The Abbot School, 25 Depot St, Westford
Features an assortment of local vendors including fresh local produce and local art.

Chelmsford: Market on the Common
Runs most Saturdays 11AM – 2PM
from May 31 – October 11
Location: 1 North Road, Chelmsford
Features local produce, artisans, food vendors, and more.

Hudson: Hudson Farmer's Market
Runs every Tuesday 3:30PM – 6PM through September 23 (except 9/2)
Location: Hudson Town Hall, 78 Main Street, Hudson
Features live music, local produce, baked goods, and local artisans.

Marlborough: Marlborough Farmer's Market
Runs Saturdays 9AM – 1PM
from June 14 – October 4
Location: Behind City Hall, 140 Main St, Marlborough
Features local produce, live music, kids' activities, artisans, and food vendors.

 

10 Lincoln Street, Westford

Music & More!
Ongoing 3rd Friday Bluegrass Jam
A community event open to the public. All are welcome, 7-10pm. You can bring your banjo, fiddle, voice, or just come to watch every 3rd Friday in a month from September-June! Everyone has a great time. Future Dates: 8/15, 9/19, 10/17, 11/21, 12/19, 1/16/26, 2/20, (No March), 4/17, 5/15, 6/19, 7/17, 8/21...

Ongoing Thursday Night Sing & Jam
A community event open to the public weekly on Thursdays from 7-10pm (year-round). Bring your instrument &/or voice and join the Sing & Jam fun! $5 suggested cover. Future Dates:  8/7, 8/14, 8/21, 8/28 …

Current Volunteer Opportunities!
Concerts & Events
For every concert and event during a season, the PCA has to be set up accordingly with chairs and/or tables for the audience (and taken down after the fact). We need greeters and box office support, and the sprucing up of the Hall post show. Many hands make light work & you get to see a show free! Training, if needed, is provided. Ongoing opportunities will be posted in this newsletter, but if you’d like to be emailed directly when needs arise, email Volunteer Coordinator Carol Wing to get on the “Volunteer” list.
Arts in the Loft
The PCA’s Arts-in-the-Loft program is growing and we’re in need of after-school youth and evening adult art instructors.  If you are interested, or know someone who might be interested, reach out to PCA’s Business Manager JulieAnn Govang!  Classes to resume in October’2025.

Board Members Welcome
The PCA Board is the governing force behind all you see, and it takes committed volunteers to keep things running smoothly.  Would you like more information about getting more involved in all things PCA? Contact PCA’s President Raj Puranik!

CONCORD, Mass. – Rocky’s Ace Hardware, one of the country’s largest family-owned Ace Hardware dealers with 50 locations in nine states, is once again rallying communities to support children in need with Ace’s annual “Fill the Bucket” fundraiser benefitting Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.
From Friday, August 1 through Sunday, August 3, customers who visit participating Rocky’s Ace Hardware stores can donate $5 to receive a limited-edition five-gallon bucket. As a thank you, shoppers will receive 20% off nearly everything they can fit inside the bucket*.
One hundred percent of the $5 donation goes directly to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, which provide critical care, life-saving treatments and essential medical services to children in local communities across the country.
“This fundraiser is a fun, tangible way for customers to support local children’s hospitals and families facing some of life’s toughest challenges,” said Rocco Falcone, president of Rocky’s Ace Hardware. “Every dollar makes a difference, and this event is a great example of neighbors helping neighbors.”
Rocky’s Ace Hardware has a longstanding tradition of community giving, and the “Fill the Bucket” event is one of the most popular ways the company helps raise funds for vital causes.
*Some exclusions apply; see store for details.
About Rocky’s Ace Hardware
Rocky’s Ace Hardware, your neighborhood store for paint, hardware, lawn and garden, and grilling, has been in continuous operation, under the same family ownership, since opening its first location in Springfield, Massachusetts in 1926. From one modest store to now 50 convenient locations throughout Connecticut, Florida, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island, Rocky's has become one of the country's largest Ace Hardware dealers, noted for its exceptional customer service and vast product selection. For more information, visit rockys.com.

Join us on Tuesday, August 26th from 2:00PM – 7:00PM at the Maynard-Clinton Lodge of Elks #1568 located at 34 Powdermill Road, Maynard, MA.
Please call 781-461-2052 to schedule an appointment.

Give August 1-28th for $15 e-gift card & successful donations get A1C testing. Terms: rcblood.org/Test.

 

BOSTON, Mass. (Grassroots Newswire) July 24, 2025 - The following local residents were named to the 2025 spring semester dean's list at Simmons University in Boston.

Alissa Campbell, Acton (01720), Jamilah Kasozi, Acton (01720), Bella Mojica, Acton (01720), Caroline Hayes, Concord (01742), Maliha Malek, Concord (01742), Fay Tubbs, Concord (01742), Sonia Vader, Concord (01742), Emma Cryan, Maynard (01754), Maya McCabe, Maynard (01754), Carly Rieter, Maynard (01754), Charlotte Hogan, Sudbury (01776), Cameron Ostrovsky, Sudbury (01776), Olivia Shienbrood, Sudbury (01776)

To qualify for dean's list status, undergraduate students must obtain a grade point average of 3.5 or higher, based on 12 or more credit hours of work in classes using the letter grade system.

About Simmons University
Located in the heart of Boston, Simmons is a respected private university offering nearly 50 majors and programs for undergraduate women and graduate programs open to all on campus, in blended formats, or entirely online in nursing and health sciences, liberal arts, business, communications, social work, public health, and library and information science. Founded in 1899, Simmons has established a model of higher education that other colleges and universities are only recently beginning to adapt: the combination of education for leadership in high-demand professional fields with the intellectual foundation of the liberal arts. The result is a Simmons graduate prepared not only to work, but to lead in professional, civic, and personal life - a vision of empowerment that Simmons calls preparation for life's work. Follow Simmons on Twitter at @SimmonsUniv, and on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/school/simmons-university/.

 

• Liza Ketchum is the author of seventeen books for young people, including The Life Fantastic and The Last Garden. Her books have appeared on the ALA’s Best Book lists and the New York Public Library’s 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing. She and her husband divide their time between Vermont and Massachusetts. Www.lizketchum.org
• Jacqueline Briggs Martin is the author of over twenty picture books for children, including award-winners Snowflake Bentley, a Caldecott medal winner, and Creekfinding: A True Story, recipient of the Green Earth Award for Environmental Writing for Children and a Riverby Award. Jacqueline lives in Iowa with her husband. www.jacquelinebriggsmartin.com
• Phyllis Root is the author of fifty books for children, including Big Belching Bog; Plant a Pocket of Prairie; One North Star; Big Momma Makes the World, a Boston Globe-Horn Book Award winner; and The Lost Forest, a National Outdoor Book Award winner. Phyllis resides in Minneapolis, Minnesota. www.phyllisiroot.com

Are you thinking of separating or going through the divorce process? The Metro-West Boston Divorce Support Group is a confidential peer-support group with no religious affiliation. Men and women from all towns are welcome. Our group has been meeting in Acton for decades. Now we are continuing weekly on Thursday evenings by remote videoconference. For more information, call Doreen 617-957-0838 or contact paulbaker01@verizon.net

“Moments in Time and Place” a collection of oil paintings by Judith-Grace Miller will be on display for the month of August at the Munroe Gallery, located on the 2nd floor of the Concord Free Public Library. Opening reception will be Thursday, August 7 from 5-8pm. These colorful paintings will take you back to magical summers at the beach, fresh lobster rolls, and basking in the sun with family and friends. The paintings will range from seascapes, figurative works, and architecture to local scenes painted en plein air. The event is free and open to the public. The Concord Free Public Library is located at 129 Main St, Concord, MA. Learn more at www.judymillerartist.com

 

Nashoba Valley Technical High School Foundation 12th Annual Craft Fair will be held Saturday, November 22, 2025 from 10 AM - 3PM (Set up 8AM - 9:30AM)
Nashoba Valley Technical High School, 100 Littleton Road (Rt. 110), Westford, MA
Register now for this well-attended event - only 100 spots available!
Vendor fee is $75 (includes an 8 foot spot, and 2 chairs bring your own table or display).
Vendors can now register now for the 2025 NVTHS Foundation craft fair via the following link.
http://weblink.donorperfect.com/nvths_foundation_craft_fair
Any questions, email NVTHSFoundation@nashobatech.net

 

Wayland, MA – Native Plant Trust, the nation’s first plant conservation organization dedicated exclusively to native plants, proudly announces the celebration of its 125th anniversary. As part of this milestone, the organization will honor acclaimed climate scientist Dr.Jonathan Foley, executive director of Project Drawdown,with its prestigious Founders’ Medal at a gala in Boston this fall. This 125th anniversary marks both a historic legacy and a bold vision for the future—one grounded in the belief that native plants are essential to solving the climate and biodiversity crises.
The 125th Anniversary Gala will take place on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM at the Artists for Humanity Epicenter in Boston, Massachusetts. In addition to honoring Dr. Foley, Native Plant Trust will recognize longtime supporters Abby and Peter Coffin for their extraordinary contributions to the organization’s mission. The Coffins embrace the principles of Native Plant Trust with inspiration, sincerity, and generosity of spirit. Together, they are tireless advocates for protecting and conserving the land and waterways of our nation. The evening’s theme, “Sowing the Seeds for Our Future,” reflects Native Plant Trust’s enduring commitment to ecological resilience through native plant conservation. A limited number of tickets are available for purchase at: www.NativePlantTrust.org/gala
“As we mark 125 years of conservation, the stakes have never been higher: One in five native plant species in New England is now rare or endangered,” notes Tim Johnson, CEO of Native Plant Trust. “Our response must match the scale of this ecological emergency. Let this milestone serve as a rallying cry for urgent, science-based action. In just the past 50 years, we’ve lost over 30 percent of plant biodiversity globally. Native Plant Trust has shown that coordinated, data-driven efforts can reverse that trend. But we need more hands, more support, and more resolve to meet the next century’s challenges. The next 125 years will depend on our collective will to protect land, invest in science, and restore balance to the natural world.”
ABOUT NATIVE PLANT TRUST
For over a century, Native Plant Trust has been leading the movement to conserve native plants in the wild and use them in designed spaces. We do this to increase the beauty and resilience of New England and the planet. From our base in Massachusetts, staff and trained volunteers work throughout New England each year to monitor and protect rare and endangered plants, collect and preserve seeds to ensure biological diversity, detect and control invasive species, conduct research, and offer a range of educational programs. We welcome visitors from all over the world to Garden in the Woods, our renowned native plant botanic garden in Framingham, MA. We also operate a nursery at Nasami Farm in western Massachusetts and manage six sanctuaries in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont that are open to the public. Please visit NativePlantTrust.org.

There will be a 3 day trip to New York City from August 16-18. It includes 2 breakfasts, 2 dinners, and 2 nights lodging as well as a harbor cruise and lots of touring with a step-on guide.
From Sept. 14-20 there is a trip to Charleston, SC  including 10 meals, a guided tour of the city, a tour of a historic plantation, a harbor cruise, a visit to Middleton Place, a visit to the Charleston Tea Garden along with a trolley tour, a tour of an historic home, and more.

Please call Sue at 508-341-0797 for more information. The bus will leave from the Millbury Park and Ride in Millbury.

During the summer months, we may see signs of unwanted critters in our waste bins, compost, and sometimes inside the home. This information session - open to the public- welcomes all interested participants with questions about alternatives to rat poisons, tips for incorporating Integrated Pest Management at home or work, and ways to be involved locally in the growing statewide Rescue Raptors campaign to protect wildlife through restricting use of harmful rodenticides. Join us Thursday, July 31st 6:30-7:30pm at Maynard Public Library, 77 Nason Street Maynard MA. Hosted by Green Maynard and Save Maynard Wildlife. 

CONCORD,MA – The Domestic Violence Services Network, Inc. (DVSN) is pleased to announce a FREE Volunteer Advocate Training program for interested community members.  DVSN provides emotional support, risk assessment and safety planning for victims of domestic violence in our 13 member communities.
The 40-hour training is designed to familiarize volunteers with the many aspects of domestic violence and give them the skills necessary to provide confidential and appropriate services to DVSN’s clients. Once trained, DVSN’s volunteer Advocates provide direct service over the phone, at the Concord District Court, and at Emerson Hospital to people affected by domestic violence.
The September 2025 training will be held at the Lexington Police department starting on September 8 to September 26; Monday and Wednesdays from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM and Fridays from 9:15 AM to 3:30 PM.  for those who decide to activate as Advocates, there is an additional 10 to 12 hours of supervised field training at the completion of the classroom segment. 
The training is provided at no cost to attendees. All necessary materials will be provided.  For more information about the training or to request an application, call (978) 318-3421 or send an e-mail to training@dvsn.org . Applications are due no later than Friday, August 29, 2025.
To learn more about DVSN and its programs, services, and events, visit DVSN.org.
DVSN member communities: Acton, Bedford, Boxborough, Carlisle, Concord, Lexington, Lincoln, Maynard, Stow, Sudbury, Wayland, Weston and Hanscom Security Forces.

 

Please join the Acton Commission on Disabilities in celebrating the 35th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act

Sunday, July 27th (11 am to 2 pm ... rain or shine)

NARA Park 25 Ledge Rock Way (Lower pavilion) (wheelchair accessible)

We will provide sandwiches and flavored seltzer water

Acton residents can reserve a free, accessible ride there and back by calling 978-844-6809

OPEN  TO  ALL

Our 2025 Summer Concert Series Line-up is finally here! Concerts will return to Wood Park starting June 11th and will continue every other Wednesday until August 6th. At 6:30pm the Music Shell will be filled with the sounds of summer for all to enjoy. Grab your lawn chair, swing by and listen for free to all of these amazing bands.

July 23rd
The Elastic Five -The Elastic Five is a highly versatile and authentic tribute to rock and popular music of the latter 20th century.  This quintet features talented musicians and singers who learn the original arrangements of all the songs they play.

Aug 6th
Holdin' Back the 60's -We feature smooth vocals and harmonies with 60’s instrumentation that will bring you back to an era that remains the benchmark of 20th Century Pop music. 

The Silver Club of the Uxbridge Senior Center is planning some trips that anyone is welcome to join. Upcoming is a trip to Washington,DC from July 25-28. Three nights lodging, 3 dinners and 3 breakfasts as well as a comprehensive tour of the city and time at the Smithsonian museums are included.
There will be a 3 day trip to New York City from August 16-18. It includes 2 breakfasts, 2 dinners, and 2 nights lodging as well as a harbor cruise and lots of touring with a step-on guide to see all the sights of this exciting city.
From Sept. 14-20 there is a trip to Charleston, SC planned including 10 meals, a guided tour of the city, a tour of a historic plantation, a harbor cruise, a visit to Middleton Place, a visit to the Charleston Tea Garden along with a trolley tour, a tour of an historic home, and more.

Please call Sue at 508-341-0797 for more information. The bus will leave from the Millbury Park and Ride in Millbury.

Mayor Christian and the Marlborough Recreation Department present summer concerts:
Union Common Concerts
Intersection Rt 85 & Main Street
Thursday Nights 7PM
All Are Welcome. Local Breweries Now Serving Beer.
July 24: Late Bus, Classic rock through the ages
Flying Dreams Brewing
July 31: Color Killer and Dirty Water @ The Smelltones, Punk
Tackle Box Brewing
August 7: Gold Star BLVD, Pop/Rock-N- Roll
Lost Shoe Brewing
Kids Concert brought to you by The Rock Institute
Sunday August 5 starting at 2PM
Multiple performances: Pop, R&B, Classic Rock
Please bring a chair or blanket for seating.

The Marlborough Historical Society is excited to share that they have commissioned a statue of Samuel Boyd that will be placed at the corner of Main Street and South Bolton Street in Boyd Park. This installment will include the opportunity to purchase personalized commemorative bricks that will surround the statue that can be purchased through the Historical Society. Bricks are available at $50 for 4x8 up to 20 characters per line 3 lines max or $100 for an 8x8 brick up to 20 character per line 6 lines max. Checks can be made out to the Marlborough Historical Society and mailed to P.O. Box 513, Marlborough, MA 01752  Reserve your brick today

Looking to add a canine member to your family?

Join Save A Dog on Saturday, July 19, from 10 am to 12 pm at our “Meet and Greet” adoption event at Wag N’ Wash, 1173 Main Street in West Concord. Meet the adorable dogs and puppies looking for their forever homes and speak directly with staff who can introduce you and tell you more!

Information about Save A Dog’s adoptable dogs (and cats!) can be found on the website: www.saveadog.org. Potential adopters are encouraged to fill out an online adoption application beforehand which helps streamline the adoption process and find the best match for you and your household.

Now in its 27th year of rescue, Save A Dog has found loving, forever homes for nearly 9,000 homeless pets through its Sudbury shelter and network of dedicated foster homes,

See you Saturday!

The Sudbury Fourth of July Parade is a long-standing tradition in the town of Sudbury. Dating back to at least 1939, the first Fourth of July Parade kicked off. As you can imagine, this parade looked a little different, being led by horses & buggies, minutemen, militia, and bugles & drums. This marked the start of the incredible tradition that we look forward to year after year. In the late 80s, the parade changed hands from The Town of Sudbury to The Sudbury Chamber of Commerce.
Since then, it has turned into a community effort to uphold one of the greatest town traditions to date. Year after year, spectators near and far gather the streets to celebrate America's Birthday, take in the wonderful music performed by local bands, see the creative floats made by community businesses, and share the joys of friends and family. Come see what makes 01776 so special on a day that is near and dear to many.

The parade kicks off from Chiswick Park, follows  Union Ave to Route 20 to Concord Road, and ends at Town Hall.

It is never too late to join our parade - from walkers, bike riders, float makers, and musicians  - we welcome all!
Judging for the floats will begin at 12:00 pm.

Among the items included in the calendar will be celebrations that will be going on all year for our country's 250th Anniversary.

A monthly sponsorship for the calendar is $250.   You can sponsor in your family name, in memory of someone, or your business.
Deadline for this is July 1, 2025
You can send your sponsorship information to
Marlborough Historical Society
P.O. Box 513
Marlborough, MA. 01752
or
you can contact Linda Rennie at
lrennie5371@gmail.com

 Date squares remembering a birthday, anniversary, etc  can be purchased for $5.00 each.   The deadline for this is July 30, 2025

 You can  send your square information and payment to
the Marlborough Historical Society
P.O. Box 513
Marlborough, MA 01752

If you have any questions on any of these items, please contact me
at - lrennie5371@gmail.com 

 

Sudbury, MA/Lexington MA Two Massachusetts nonprofits, SMILE Mass and Volunteer Ventures, have partnered to make parks, schools, and recreation areas more welcoming for individuals with disabilities—by donating accessible picnic tables across the state.
This joint venture is a natural extension of SMILE Mass’s impactful Floating Beach Wheelchair Program, which has donated more than 180 floating beach chairs to public beaches and ponds throughout New England. Now, through this collaboration, the mission of accessibility is reaching beyond the water’s edge—into gathering spaces where inclusion matters most.
“Our accessible picnic tables are in use at schools, public recreation facilities, and retirement communities, where they invite people with wheeled or limited mobility to have a seat right in the midst of the activity at a table,” said Barry Glass, Founder of Volunteer Ventures. “One wheelchair user and adaptive design consultant, who assisted us with our table features, said: ‘Your design, with a place for my wheelchair right in the middle of the table, is a highly visible and welcoming invitation to the table.’ Our table-building volunteers, who range in age from 7 to 80+ years, take great pride in the quality of the work they do and are proud to have a part in advancing the idea of universal design. We are thrilled to be in collaboration with SMILE Mass to provide these tables to their community partners.”
Volunteer Ventures specializes in hands-on volunteer service, bringing together community members of all ages to create projects that enhance accessibility and connection. Their accessible picnic tables embody the principles of universal design, promoting visibility, independence, and dignity.
SMILE Mass (Small Miracles in Life Exist), based in Sudbury, MA, is a nonprofit devoted to helping families raising children and adults with disabilities live joyful, inclusive lives through recreation, vacation, and education. Their collaboration with Volunteer Ventures continues their mission to eliminate barriers—both physical and social.
“We’re proud to collaborate with Barry and his team,” said Lotte Diomede, Founder and President of SMILE Mass. “These accessible picnic tables are more than furniture—they are invitations for connection. Together, we’re ensuring that people of all abilities are part of the conversation and the community.”
To date, SMILE Mass and Volunteer Ventures have donated numerous accessible picnic tables throughout Massachusetts, with more planned in the coming months.
To learn more or to request an accessible picnic table for your community, visit www.smilemass.org or www.volunteerventuresma.org.

 

Exclusive sunglasses for those who come to give July 1-14
Type O blood donors especially urged to give now

BOSTON, June 23, 2025 — As the busy Fourth of July holiday week gets closer, the American Red Cross asks donors to celebrate by making a blood or platelet donation appointment to help power the blood supply through mid-summer. While all blood types are needed, donors with type O blood are most urgently needed.
 
Making and keeping donation appointments now is critical to ensuring blood products are available for all patients – including those in trauma situations that may require several lifesaving transfusions – in the weeks to come. Type O negative blood is often reached for in emergencies when there isn’t time to match a patient’s blood type. Type O positive is the most common blood type, so it’s important to keep type O blood and all blood types on hand at hospitals for people facing both chronic illness and sudden, life-threatening conditions.

Don’t wait – add a blood or platelet donation appointment to your summer calendar today by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS or by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App. 

The Red Cross and goodr are joining forces in July to remind donors they’re just the type patients can count on. All who come to give July 1-14, 2025, will get an exclusive pair of Red Cross x goodr sunglasses, while supplies last. Donors can personalize their one-of-a-kind shades with a blood type sticker! For details, visit RedCrossBlood.org/goodr.

Or, those who make it in to give by June 30, 2025, will get a $15 Amazon.com Gift Card by email, plus be automatically entered to win one of two $7,000 gift cards. See RedCrossBlood.org/June.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities June 24-July 14
Chelmsford
7/2/2025: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Elks Lodge, 300 Littleton Road
7/12/2025: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Aldersgate United Methodist, 242 Boston Rd.
North Chelmsford
7/11/2025: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Chelmsford American Legion, 90 Groton Road
Sudbury
6/26/2025: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., First Baptist Church of Sudbury, 162 Landham Rd
7/1/2025: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., First Baptist Church of Sudbury, 162 Landham Rd
Westford
7/2/2025: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., First Parish Church, 48 Main Street

The Salvation Army’s summer camp is accepting campers from across Massachusetts
SHARON, Mass. (June 2025) – As the school year winds down, The Salvation Army Massachusetts Division is accepting campers for fun and engaging summer activities. Each summer, nearly 1,200 youth attend Camp Wonderland, located on picturesque Lake Massapoag in Sharon, and there are still open slots for the seven weeks of overnight camp, beginning June 23 and costing as little as $50 a week on average.
For over a century, The Salvation Army’s Camp Wonderland has provided families who may not otherwise be able to afford overnight camp a safe place for their children at little or no cost. On 110 acres, the camp offers young people access to nature, recreation, swimming, arts, crafts, music, STEM activities and sports. Summer camp activities include archery, arts and crafts, boating, swimming, and more. Over the summer, campers will meet new friends, try new things, and sing silly songs around the campfire, all while taking a break from screens and experiencing a strong sense of community.
Right now, there are open enrollment slots for youth ages 6 to 12 from the Merrimack Valley, Cape Cod and Southeastern Massachusetts (Hyannis, Fall River, and New Bedford), the North Shore (Newburyport, Salem, and Lynn), MetroWest, Mass Bay/Boston, the Route 2 area (Athol, Greenfield, and Fitchburg), as well as Western (Springfield and Pittsfield) and Central Massachusetts (Milford and Worcester).
This year marks Camp Director Jen Forster’s 30th year working at Camp Wonderland. Having attended the camp herself from the age of 6, she has made it a lifelong commitment to give children a summer to remember.
Camp Wonderland sessions run through August 12. To learn more and register for a session, visit: www.campwonderland.org.

 

Join Project Bread in Summer Eats Awareness Week: June 23–27

BOSTON – Summer Eats – the Massachusetts Summer Food Service Program – is kicking off across the Commonwealth, providing free meals to all kids and teens, ages 18 and under. In 2024, more than 2.8 million meals were served across over 1,450 sites statewide through the Summer Eats program. During Summer Eats Awareness Week, Project Bread is encouraging community members to help spread the news about this free program statewide, with free promotional materials available online.

Throughout the school year, children in Massachusetts rely on free school meals to meet most of their daily nutrition needs. Summer Eats closes the gap when the school year ends, helping to ensure children and teens continue to grow, learn and thrive over school vacation. On an average day in July 2024, 70,000 kids ate at least one Summer Eats meal.

Participating meal providers operate and staff meal sites, often in conjunction with activities and educational programming at schools, libraries, local park and recreation areas, and more. Kids and teens are required to eat onsite at most Summer Eats sites. Grab & Go meals are available in select rural communities. All are welcome. No registration or ID is required. In 2024, more than 2.8 million meals were served across over 1,450 sites statewide through the Summer Eats program. Another summer food resource is SUN Bucks (Summer EBT), which is a federal food benefit providing additional funding for groceries for low-income families with school-aged children.

For more than 20 years, the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and statewide food security nonprofit Project Bread have partnered to support communities in offering Summer Eats meals to children in Massachusetts. Throughout the school year, the nonprofit and DESE also partner to expand access to and participation in school meal programs. This year, Project Bread has granted a total of $236,482 to Summer Eats sponsors statewide for their program development and capacity-building, such as equipment to transport meals or increase kitchen efficiency and meal quality, as well as staffing support and items to enhance site engagement, outreach and promotion efforts​.

“We hear from families all the time who are finding ways to stretch their budgets during the summer months, who are unsure about what resources are available to them, and who are just trying to put food on their tables each day,” says Erin McAleer, President & CEO of Project Bread, the leading food security organization in Massachusetts. “Food is not a luxury. The Summer Eats program is a vital resource that makes sure that every child can have their basic need of hunger met and can simply focus on learning, growing, and enjoying summer fun.”

Summer is better with full bellies and big smiles. For more information about Summer Eats, including meal site locations, visit www.projectbread.org/summer-eats, text FOOD or COMIDA to 304-304, or call 1-800-645-8333 for help in any language. A personal contribution to support Summer Eats can be made at www.projectbread.org/donate.

About Project Bread
Project Bread connects people and communities in Massachusetts to reliable sources of food while advocating for policies that make food more accessible—so that no one goes hungry. Summer Eats is one of the many nutrition programs they support. Any resident of Massachusetts struggling to afford food or worrying they might run out before they have money to buy more can call Project Bread’s FoodSource Hotline for help in 180+ languages (1-800-645-8333) or send a confidential chat on www.gettingsnap.com for compassionate, personalized assistance. Counselors are available Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. There is also a dedicated line available to those who are hearing impaired. For more information, visit: www.projectbread.org.
 

Free 6-Week A Cappella Experience
Women of Note, award-winning a cappella chorus, invites women of all ages, backgrounds and voice ranges to participate in Summer Sing, a free 6-week experiential learning program to discover what four-part a cappella harmony is all about. The program runs Monday evenings from June 23 through August 4, from 7-8:30 p.m., at Baptist Churches of New England headquarters, 87 Lincoln St., Northborough, MA.
Summer Sing provides an opportunity for all participants, whether seasoned singers or beginners, to develop or enhance their vocal skills. Attendees can refine their vocal technique, expand their range, and develop better control over their voices.
This program is being offered to the public as a commitment-free opportunity for women of all ages -- including mothers and daughters, friends, neighbors or other family members -- to experience the joy and fun of singing close, four-part a cappella harmony.
Women of Note is a 10-time international medalist chorus with Harmony, Inc., international, non-profit and educational singing organization for women. Members from all walks of life hail from 26 towns throughout east central Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire.
To learn more, email: summersing@womenofnote.org or visit: www.womenofnote.org
 

 

The Northborough Community Affairs Committee is pleased to announce the return of our free Summer Concert Series for 2025.  All concerts will be held on Thursdays at Ellsworth-McAfee Park (Rt. 135) in Northborough from 5-7 pm.  There will be a variety of food vendors at every show. Here is our line up:

Disco Lemonade - Sunday, June 29, 5pm
Playing Dead  - Sunday,July 13, 5pm

Houston Bernard - Sunday, July 27, 5pm

School of Rock Showcase - Sunday, August 10, 5pm

Stay tuned for updates on special activities that will be happening in addition to the musical performances.

The GFWC Northboro Junior Woman’s Club is now accepting crafters’ applications for the 48th Annual Harvest Craft Fair.

Event: Northboro Junior Woman’s Club 48th Annual Harvest Craft Fair

Date: Saturday, November 1, 2025

Time: 9:00AM-3:00PM

Place: Robert E. Mexican Middle School,  145 Lincoln Street, Northboro, MA

Jurying Information: This is a juried show requiring that all items are handmade. Please visit NJWC’S website for applications and more show details. www.northborojuniors.org/craft-fair.html

The Northboro Junior Woman’s Club is a non-profit organization that has been active in Northboro for over 40 years. They support community projects in Northboro as well as internationally. The Harvest Fair is the club’s major fundraiser.

The Williams Tavern Historical Marker has been restored! We are excited to unveil it and celebrate the historical importance of this site.
Please join us for Williams Tavern sign dedication  June 20, 4:30  at the corner of Williams Street and Lakeside Avenue

The First United Methodist Church of Hudson, 34 Felton Street, will be offering a FREE B-B-Q Friendship Dinner, rain or shine, on Saturday, June 28th served at 5:00 pm on our back lawn.   Come and enjoy classic summer favorites;  burgers, hot dogs, salads, dessert and watermelon.
Put this in your calendars and plan on enjoying some delicious summer eats.  Invite your friends and neighbors.   Bring a lawn chair or blanket to sit on.   Dinner will be served inside
if it rains.

Friendship Dinners are served the fourth Saturday of every month and are free to everyone.

First United Methodist Church is located over the hill off the Hudson Rotary at 34 Felton Street.
More information is available at 978-562-2932 or at our website http://www.hudsonfumc.org

American Councils international student exchange program is seeking local families to host students from a variety of countries.  Basketball-loving Shakarim, scholarly and self-motivated Danniiar, and outgoing, family-oriented Rafia are just a few of our amazing international high school students.

Won’t you consider opening your home to a young scholar who has completed a rigorous application process and has earned a spot in a local school? You do not need to have children to host, just a spare bed, a caring environment, and a readiness to learn and exchange ideas.

American Councils does important work in creating bridges of understanding between cultures. Its programs have a lasting impact. To set up a time to chat with a local coordinator, please email Julie at jwelchbucceri@gmail.com. Visit https://inbound.americancouncils.org or call (202) 833-7522.

One aspect of men’s health that isn’t commonly discussed is mental health. While mental health in general is not talked about enough, men’s mental health is given even less attention. To be truly healthy, one needs to focus on both their physical and mental health.
In youth suicide (ages 12-24), males are 2.5 times more likely to die by suicide than their female peers. That number does not decrease with age either. It is a prevalent issue within our communities that should be given the attention it deserves. A lot of good can be done by normalizing conversations around mental health, rather than trying to keep it silent.
We can help by simply talking more openly about mental health with friends, family, and coworkers. Sometimes, all someone needs is the opportunity to share what they’re going through. Be the person to give them that opportunity. Familiarizing yourself with resources available for mental health can also be helpful. That way when those conversations do unfold, you’re informed of ways others can receive help they need.
The biggest difference we can make is by creating everyday environments that feel safe and supportive, spaces people feel comfortable opening up when they’re ready. Don’t be afraid to speak up so that others who need to might as well. Many mental health struggles are faced in silence, and the easiest way to break the silence is by speaking up. It takes a lot of mental strength for someone to talk about what they may be dealing with. Recognizing that will help others gain the courage and strength to speak up as well.
Mental health is often a battle we can’t see. That’s why learning how to offer support, have intentional conversations, and truly listen when others open up to you can make a huge difference in the lives of those around you. You never truly know what is going on in someone’s mind, but speaking up opens the possibility for others to do so as well.
For more information on resources, order materials, access training, or to find a Jason Foundation Affiliate Office near you, visit www.jasonfoundation.com. The Jason Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the prevention of youth suicide through education and awareness. Together, we can fight the Silent Epidemic that is youth suicide. Don’t be afraid to have hard conversations. Stay informed so that when those hard conversations happen, you’ll be prepared to help in any way you can.