Gifts, gift cards, donations needed at Loaves & Fishes
Loaves & Fishes will hold its annual “Shop For Your Kids Day” so that the children of their clients from Ayer, Groton, Harvard, Littleton, Shirley, and Devens can celebrate the holidays with gifts and toys. The event will be held Thursday, Dec. 17, at the Bob Eisengrein Community Center, 100 Sherman Avenue, Devens. Last year, just over 225 clients shopped from a wide selection of new toys, books, jewelry, and gift cards, all donated by residents and businesses of nearby towns. Thanks to the efforts of more than 100 volunteers, more than 500 children received gifts from their parents or guardians; many of these children would not have received anything without this program.
Needed are new, unwrapped gifts valued at up to $25, or gift cards in denominations of $10, $15, or $25. Checks are also appreciated; write “SFYK” in the memo line and mail it to Loaves & Fishes, P.O. Box 1, Ayer, MA 01432. For a list of the most desired items, go to www.loavesfishespantry.org.
Toys can be dropped off at the Harvard post office or police station or at Donelan’s supermarkets in Groton or Littleton. Gifts and donations may also be brought to Loaves & Fishes at 234 Barnum Road, Devens Wednesday and Friday mornings between Thanksgiving and Dec. 17, Saturday morning, Dec. 5, or Tuesday evening, Dec. 8. Donations may be delivered directly to the Eisengrein Community Center 6 to 8 p.m. on Nov. 30, Dec. 6, or Dec. 7.
Those who would like to organize a toy drive for this cause should contact Karen at LFShop4YourKids@gmail.com.
MWCC Saturday business certificate program
Mount Wachusett Community College is launching an accelerated Saturday program for students interested in graduating with an academic certificate in business administration, small-business management, or accounting/bookkeeping. The fast-track program lets students complete eight courses in less than eight months, meeting two Saturdays a month at MWCC’s Devens campus. The remainder of the classes will be conducted online. An information session will take place Saturday, Dec. 5, at 10 a.m. at the Devens campus, 27 Jackson Road. An orientation session will take place on Jan. 16, and classes begin on Jan. 23. For more information, contact the admissions office at 978-630-9110 or visit mwcc.edu/expertise.
Halloween costume recycling program
The Harvard Family Association (HFA) is coordinating a Halloween costume recycling program. Donate your gently used Halloween costumes, accessories, and decorations through the end of November at the Harvard Public Library. Next September the HFA will host a costume sale. This is a way to recycle your Halloween costume, pick up a new one for a bargain, and help the HFA meet its fundraising goals.
