Corrected and updated Dec. 12, 2012
As we turn our attention to giving to local charities during the holiday season, the Press is happy to provide the following list of organizations, recommended by townspeople and staff as charities that are doing good work in Harvard and nearby communities. Most are organized as not-for-profit, but questions about tax deductibility should be addressed to each organization.
Abby’s House
52 High St., Worcester 01609
508-756-5486, www.abbyshouse.org
Abby’s House opened in 1976 as one of the first overnight emergency shelters for women in the U.S. Committed to ending homelessness, it has focused on expanding the number of service-enriched, affordable housing units in the Worcester area.
Buddy Dog Humane Society, Inc.
151 Boston Post Road, Sudbury 01776
978-443-6990, www.buddydoghs.com
The goal of the society is to find responsible and permanent homes for the animals in its care.
Cleghorn Neighborhood Center
2-18 Fairmount St., Fitchburg, MA 01420
978-342-2069, www.cleghorncenter.org
The vision of the center is to strengthen Fitchburg neighborhoods, particularly the Latino-immigrant community. The center accomplishes its mission through youth development programs, free continuing education for adults, family services, youth and adult leadership training, and civic engagement initiatives.
Community Harvest Project
37 Wheeler Road, North Grafton, MA 01536
www.community-harvest.org
The Community Harvest Project is a volunteer-based farming organization that grows crops and distributes them to people who would not normally have access to fresh produce.
The Food Project
10 Lewis St., Lincoln, MA 01773
781-259-8621, www.thefoodproject.org
The Food Project, a nonprofit, is a launching pad for new ideas about youth and adults partnering to create social change through sustainable agriculture. The goal of the organization is sustainable, local food systems that bridge race, class, age, and more to ensure food security for all.
Freedom’s Way Heritage Association
100 Sherman Avenue, Devens
978-772-3654, www.freedomsway.org
The association works to preserve, promote, and protect our cultural, historical, and natural resources and the ideas of American freedom, democracy, conservation, and social justice.
Friends of the Council on Aging
P.O. Box 474, Harvard
The Friends of the COA has a mission to support senior services in Harvard. Funds from the Friends help cover special refurbishment projects at Hildreth House and the printing and mailing of the COA newsletter.
Friends of the Harvard Public Library and Harvard Friends of the Arts
P.O. Box 506, Harvard
The Friends stimulate community interest in the services and needs of the Harvard Public Library, provide volunteer help, and sponsor educational programs and entertainment.
Fruitlands Museum
102 Prospect Hill Road, Harvard
978-456-3924, www.fruitlands.org
Fruitlands features the first Shaker museum and has the largest archive of Harvard Shaker documents in the world. It has a collection of North American Indian ethnographic materials and an art gallery that contains Hudson River School landscape paintings and 19th-century vernacular portraits.
Great Dog Rescue New England
9 Bartlet St., #316, Andover, MA 01810
www.gdrne.com
In addition to its primary goal of helping homeless dogs find homes, GDRNE supports clinics that spay and neuter pets to help solve overpopulation; engages in activities with local schools to help educate about animal rescue, responsible pet ownership, and proper pet care; sends dogs to agencies that train dogs to assist the physically disabled and the hearing-impaired.
Growing Places Garden Project, Inc.
325 Lindell Avenue, Leominster, MA 01453
978-598-3723, www.growingplaces.org
Harvard residents Cindy Buhner and Kate Deyst created this organization in 2001 with a mission to enhance food security for people with limited economic means in several area towns, including Harvard. GPGP has donated raised vegetable gardens to clients and helped them grow, harvest, use, and store their fresh produce.
Harvard Athletic Association
P.O. Box 147, Harvard
www.harvardsports.org
HAA sponsors athletic programs and activities for the enjoyment and benefit of Harvard residents and students in Harvard schools.
Harvard Center on the Common
7 Fairbank St., Harvard
www.centeronthecommon.org
The Center’s mission is to bring a wide range of artistic and creative activities to the Harvard community, to promote local artists and musicians, and to offer a variety of artistic educational opportunities to residents.
Harvard Conservation Trust
P.O. Box 31, Harvard
www.harvardconservationtrust.org
The Conservation Trust is dedicated to the preservation of Harvard’s natural resources, and seeks to preserve Harvard’s rural and agricultural character. Its top priority is protecting town land from unwanted development so that open space can be preserved for future generations.
Harvard Farmers’ Market
P.O. Box 307, Harvard
www.harvardfarmersmarket.org
The Harvard Farmers’ Market was founded in 2007 to provide locally grown and produced foods to the Harvard community. Its mission is to educate consumers about their food and who grows it and to bring the community together in a celebration of farmers and food.
Harvard Historical Society
P.O. Box 542, Harvard
www.harvardhistory.org
The Harvard Historical Society promotes interest in Harvard’s past by operating a small museum, publishing educational materials, and presenting programs of historical interest.
Harvard Schools Trust
P.O. Box 450, Harvard
www.harvardschoolstrust.org
The Harvard Schools Trust raises funds and fulfills grant requests for curriculum enhancement, extra-curricular experiences, special equipment, and staff development at Hildreth Elementary School and the Bromfield School, none of which would be possible within the regular school budget.
Household Goods, Inc.
530 Main St., Acton, 978-635-1710
www.hgrm.org
Household Goods, Inc., provides household goods, free of charge, to people in need. It accepts donations of gently used household items that will help people make a home.
J.U.M.P.
P.O. Box 604, Harvard
www.jumpinc.org
Founded by Harvard resident Bill Spacciapoli, J.U.M.P. (Just Understand My Potential) introduces young people to the mountains of New England. Participants receive mountain-skills training, hiking and backpacking experiences, and mentoring and educational support, helping them to achieve and expect more of themselves.
Loaves & Fishes
P.O. Box 1, Ayer, MA 01432
978-772-4627, www.loavesfishespantry.org
Loaves & Fishes serves residents of Ayer, Devens, Groton, Harvard, Littleton, and Shirley by providing food, emergency shelter, referrals, and other temporary services, and by helping clients gain independence and self-reliance. The pantry is currently seeking donations of items for its “Shop for Your Kids” and “Shop for Your Parents” days, as well as food for holiday dinners.
Museum of Russian Icons
203 Union St., Clinton; 978-598-5000
www.museumofrussianicons.org
Enhancing relations between Russia and the United States through the medium of art, the museum houses more than 1,000 Russian icons, artifacts, and paintings. It is the largest collection of its kind in North America and one of the largest private collections outside Russia.
Nashua River Watershed Association
592 Main St., Groton, MA 01450
978-448-0299, www.nashuariverwatershed.org
The Nashua River Watershed Association’s mission is to work for a healthy ecosystem with clean water and open spaces. Goals include restoring and protecting water quality for people, fish, and wildlife; conserving open spaces for water quality, wildlife habitat, farms, forests, and recreation; and encouraging careful land use with well-planned development.
Our Father’s House
P.O. Box 7251, Fitchburg, MA 01420
978-345-2256, www.ofhshelter.com
Our Father’s House provides emergency and transitional housing to homeless men and women at three different shelters in Fitchburg. The shelters provide meals, shelter, housing search, and advocacy services. Its programs encourage and assist each guest to become self-sufficient.
Salvation Army
739 Water St., Fitchburg, MA 01420
978-342-3300, www.salvationarmyusa.org
The Salvation Army runs a number of programs, including those that feed hungry families, provide Christmas presents for needy children, and heat the homes of struggling senior citizens. It runs nearly 1,400 thrift stores, including stores in Fitchburg, Hudson, and Worcester. It operates in-residence adult rehabilitation centers across the country, runs youth camps, and provides disaster relief support.
Soup for Seniors
c/o Harvard Farmers’ Market.,PO Box 307, Harvard
www.harvardfarmersmarket.org
Soup for Seniors is a community outreach program of the Harvard Farmers’ Market. Fresh, homemade soups are purchased from Chef Paul at the Bromfield School and delivered to seniors identified by the Council on Aging. These soups provide nutritious hot meals to low-income, sick, or homebound elderly persons.
Sterling Animal Shelter
17 Laurelwood Road, Sterling, MA 01564
978-422-8585, www.sterlingshelter.org
This is a no-kill shelter that seeks to find homes for cats and dogs. All animals are vet checked, are spayed/neutered, and are current on vaccines.
Town of Harvard Elderly and Disabled Taxation Aid Fund
Harvard Town Hall, 978-456-4100 x318
www.harvard.ma.us/Pages/HarvardMA_BComm/TaxAid/index
This fund exists to assist elderly and disabled Harvard residents defray the cost of their property taxes. Funds, which consist totally of donations, are distributed in accordance with established and adopted guidelines.
Virginia Thurston Healing Garden
145 Bolton Road, Harvard
978-456-3532, www.healinggarden.net
The Healing Garden is dedicated to providing a healing environment for those with cancer. Complementary therapies to standard medical care, psycho-social support, educational programs, and access to nature are available as part of the Garden’s mission to help clients regain control of their health. Services are offered regardless of ability to pay.
Volunteer Humane Society
505 Center Bridge Road, Lancaster, MA 01523
978-365-9470, www.vhscats.org
This is a 32-year-old, no-kill, cat-only shelter. The shelter’s mission is to find responsible and permanent homes for all the animals in its care and to promote the spaying and neutering of cats.
WHEAT Community Services, Inc.
123 High St., Unit #22, Clinton, MA 01510
978-365-6349, www.wheatcommunity.org
Since 1982, WHEAT Community Services has served low-to-moderate income residents of Berlin, Bolton, Clinton, Lancaster, and Sterling by providing critical services during times of need. Today WHEAT serves nearly 2,000 individuals by providing them with the resources they need to become self-sufficient.
Editor’s note: This article has been corrected and updated. The original description of the Friends of the Council on Aging stated that the Friends helped fund the COA outreach coordinator. That position is actually funded partly bu the town budget and partly by a grant from the state Executive Office of Elder Affairs.
