Fire Department seeks Still River fire information
On Sunday, Nov. 24, the Harvard Fire Department responded to a very serious brush fire on Still River Depot Road. With all of the department’s resources dedicated to protecting nearby homes and containing the spread of the fire, they were not able to fully document the events of that day. The department needs photos and videos of the incident, which should be dropped off at Town Hall, emailed to rsicard@harvard.ma.us, or mailed to the attention of Chief Rick Sicard, 13 Ayer Road, Harvard, MA 01451. For more information, contact Chief Sicard by email or by phone, 978-456-3648.
Birders needed for Dec. 15 count
Experienced birders are invited to help in the National Audubon Christmas Bird Count Sunday, Dec. 15, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Birders will meet at the end of Still River Depot Road in the Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge’s parking lot. In its 114th year, the bird count brings together groups of observers who search a given area to find as many species and numbers of birds as possible. Participants are advised to dress for adverse weather and to bring binoculars, lunch, and a drink. The bird count will be organized by Friends of the Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge. For more information and to RSVP, call Rona at 978-779-2259 or Don at 978-897-7567.
Help grow the mitten tree
Harvard Brownie Troop 11645 has placed a mitten tree in the Children’s Room at the Harvard Public Library until Monday, Dec. 16. Please bring new children’s mittens and hats, which will be donated to Loaves & Fishes.
Fiber Loft collecting hand-knit items
The Fiber Loft, 9 Mass. Ave, is collecting hand-knit hats, mittens, and scarves for distribution to those in need. Drop your knit goods at the store by 5 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 19.
Toys for Tots drop-off at General Store ends Dec. 23
Coldwell Banker Realty is collecting new, unwrapped toys for the Toys for Tots program for children from infants through age 15. Gifts for older children, such as sports equipment, are especially needed. Donors can leave new, unwrapped gifts in the collection box at the Harvard General Store, near the stairs on the first floor. Contributors are reminded to leave gifts in the box, not outside the store. For more information, call Bonnie Lawrence at 781-728-9968. The deadline for toy donations is Dec. 23.
Donations needed for ‘Shop for Your Kids Day’
The Loaves & Fishes food pantry will host “Shop for Your Kids Day” to allow their clients’ children, from infants to age 18, to receive holiday gifts. Though the need is great this year, donations to date are lower than usual. Gifts should be new and unwrapped, with a value of $20 or less. Items needed are: teen sports items; toys for toddlers through pre-teens; family games; puzzles for all ages; books for teenage boys; and jewelry, watches, and toiletry items for teens. Gift cards for $25 or less are also needed, with the exception of iTunes cards. Items can be dropped off at Harvard’s police station, Donelan’s Supermarket in Groton and Littleton, or at the pantry at 234 Barnum Road, Devens when the pantry is open; visit loavesfishespantry.org for hours. Checks are also welcome, payable to Loaves & Fishes, at P.O. Box 1, Ayer, MA 01432. Write “SFYK” on the memo line. The money will be used to buy gifts so that nobody will be left out.
“Shop for Your Kids” will be held at the Bob Eisengrein Community Center on Devens Thursday, Dec. 19.
Nonprofit group seeks vehicle donations
The Massachusetts Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired wants people to know that their cars, trucks, or campers may be worth more as a donation than as a trade-in. Donations will be towed away for free and are tax deductible. Proceeds will benefit blind and vision-impaired people in Massachusetts. For more information, contact the association at barbaras@mabcommunity.org or 888-613-2777.
Donate toy, food and get tour of new film studio
New England Studios and the Mass. Film Association will host a tour of the new film studio and sound stage at Devens—New England Studios—Saturday, Dec. 21, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 120 Studio Way. In exchange for a donation of a canned good and toy, participants can have lunch, visit with Santa Claus, and receive a tour of the studios where Hollywood will soon be filming movies, television shows, and documentaries. Charities to benefit from the donations include Loaves & Fishes and Wish.org. For more information, contact frank.hartnett@catalanocompanies.com.
