Donations and volunteers 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. 15, at the Bob Eisengrein Community Center, 100 Sherman Avenue, Devens. Last year, 199 clients chose from a wide selection of new toys, books, jewelry, and gift cards, all donated by residents and businesses of nearby towns. Thanks to 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 for children aged 18 and younger, or gift cards in denominations of $10, $15, or $25. Checks are also appreciated; write “SFYK” in the memo line and mail to Loaves & Fishes, P.O. Box 1, Ayer, MA 01432. For a list of the most needed items, visit loavesfishespantry.org.
Toys can be dropped off at Harvard’s 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 until Dec. 12.
Volunteers are needed to help set up on Saturday morning, Dec. 10, and to work at the event on Thursday, Dec. 15 (morning or evening). Email Karen at LFShop4YourKids@gmail.com.
Get ready for winter
The Harvard Police Department reminds residents to make sure their house numbers are clearly visible for emergency responders. Some homes have numbers on rocks that are on the ground, and when they’re covered with snow, the numbers can’t be seen.
Knitting for charity
The Fiber Loft, 9 Mass Ave., will be collecting knitted items to donate to those in need this holiday season. Handmade items will be delivered to Our Father’s House in Fitchburg. If you’d like to participate, please drop off your items by Monday, Dec. 19. If you’d like to make something but need yarn, the Fiber Loft will provide it.
Charter Commission contact information
The Charter Commission can be reached by using the email address Chartercommission@harvard.ma.us. The commission welcomes comments or questions from residents at any time.
VNA seeks hospice volunteers
VNA Care, a nonprofit home health and hospice organization, needs volunteers to provide companionship to patients and respite for family members in eastern and central Massachusetts. No previous experience is necessary; training, supervision, and support are provided. Call 781-569-2811 for more information or visit www.vnacare.org.
Youth lacrosse registration
Harvard Youth Lacrosse announces that registration for the spring 2017 season is now open for boys in grades K-8 and girls in grades 1-4. Please register your child at www.harvardlax.org before Dec. 31 to avoid late fees. Please note that although the league does its best to accommodate all players, registration is on a first-come-first-served basis.
Fort Devens Museum closing early on Dec. 17
In honor of the passing on Dec. 2 of former Fort Devens Museum president Dr. Elbert “Bert” L. Tompkins III, the museum will close at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 17. The closure is made so that those associated with the museum may attend the memorial service for Tompkins, set for 2 p.m. that day at Union Congregational Church in Groton.
