GivingTuesday is just around the corner, Dec. 2. 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. Note that most charities in this list are organized as nonprofits, but questions about tax deductibility should be addressed to each organization.
SUPPORT THE HARVARD PRESS AND LOCAL NEWS
Harvard Press Fund for Local Journalism
649 John Fitch Hwy, Fitchburg, 01420
This new fund supports the award-winning reporting of the Harvard Press newspaper on town government, education, economic development, health, and arts and culture in Harvard and the surrounding area. The Press will use the fund to train the next generation of citizen journalists, continue to provide transparent coverage of local government, and ensure its long-term financial sustainability. A donation to the Harvard Press through the Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts supports the Press’ mission and is tax deductible. Contact the foundation at 978-345-8383 or info@cfncm.org. To donate, go to harvardpress.com/donate. Read more at "Publisher's Corner" in this issue.
HARVARD AND DEVENS ORGANIZATIONS
Clear Path for Veterans New England
84 Antietam Street, Devens, 978-384-8800
This wellness-based community center helps veterans get the help they need to successfully reintegrate into their communities. Donations through the Clear Path website support several of the group’s efforts on behalf of veterans and their families, including work force training, service dogs, peer mentoring, and alternative healing activities such as yoga and acupuncture.
Elderly and Disabled Taxation Aid Fund
13 Ayer Road, Harvard, 978-456-4100 x318
This fund benefits older and disabled Harvard residents who are having difficulty meeting their property tax obligations. It is administered by the town’s Elderly and Disabled Taxation Aid Committee, which consists of town employees and residents. Checks can be made out to the fund and sent to EDTA, Treasurer, Town of Harvard, 13 Ayer Road, Harvard, MA 01451.
Fivesparks
7 Fairbank Street, Harvard
Fivesparks serves Harvard by leading the presentation, coordination, and celebration of arts and culture in the community. Located in the old library on the Common, Fivesparks provides theater, music, and comedy performances, and art, craft, and other classes for all ages. It sponsors vibrant regional art exhibitions, and cultural, educational, and author talks by local authors. It also rents space to individuals and groups to hold events. Donations help expand programming and improve the interior of the historical library building that houses this private, nonprofit organization. Donations can be made through the website.
Friends of the Harvard Council on Aging
P.O. Box 474, Harvard
The Friends of the COA is the nonprofit arm of Harvard’s Council on Aging. It raises funds to enhance the COA’s services, programs, and activities, many of which are free thanks to the Friends. Checks can be made payable to the Friends of the Harvard COA (FHCOA) and sent to the address above or dropped off at the Harvard Senior Center at 16 Lancaster County Road.
Fruitlands Museum (property of The Trustees of Reservations)
102 Prospect Hill Road, Harvard, 978-456-3924
Fruitlands Museum was founded by Clara Endicott Sears and houses her extensive collections. It features the 1826 farmhouse to which Bronson Alcott brought his family, as well as the first Shaker museum in the world. It has a collection of North American Indian ethnographic materials and an art gallery that features rotating exhibits. It has a variety of walking trails. Donations should be made out to Fruitlands Museum.
Friends of the Harvard Public Library
P.O. Box 506, Harvard
Donations to this nonprofit arm of the Harvard Public Library support programs, museum passes, and an annual scholarship to a Bromfield student. Anyone making a donation becomes a member and will have early access to the library’s annual book sale.
Harvard Conservation Trust
P.O. Box 31, Harvard, 978-456-9292
The Conservation Trust is dedicated to preserving Harvard’s natural resources and its rural and agricultural character. The trust’s top priority is protecting open space for future generations. Since its founding in 1973, the trust has helped to protect more than 850 acres in Harvard through purchases and conservation restrictions.
Harvard Historical Society
P.O. Box 542, Harvard, 978-456-8285
The Harvard Historical Society maintains a historical building at 215 Sill River Road and promotes interest in Harvard’s past by operating a small museum and presenting free programs of historical interest to the public.
Harvard Lions Club
P.O. Box 268, Harvard
The Harvard Lions Club serves needs inside and outside the community. Local support includes scholarships and grants, community events such as Halloween, Fourth of July, Fall Fest, and Winterfest. This year, the Lions helped Clear Path for Veterans remodel a new shelter in Leominster, among other service projects. A nonprofit organization, the Lions donated $48,000 with its 2024-25 fundraising efforts. These funds were distributed among hearing and vision care, veterans, humanitarian aid, hunger, and senior and disabled initiatives. The Lions welcome new members: visit the website or email harvardlionsclub@gmail.com.
Harvard Press Fund for Local Journalism
649 John Fitch Hwy, Fitchburg, 01420
This new fund supports the award-winning reporting of the Harvard Press newspaper on town government, education, economic development, health, and arts and culture in Harvard and the surrounding area. The Press will use the fund to train the next generation of citizen journalists, continue to provide transparent coverage of local government, and ensure its long-term financial sustainability. A donation to the Harvard Press through the Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts supports the Press’ mission and is tax deductible. Contact the foundation at 978-345-8383 or info@cfncm.org. To donate, go to harvardpress.com/donate. Read more at "Publisher's Corner" in this issue.
Harvard Schools Trust
P.O. Box 450, Harvard
The Harvard Schools Trust provides educational enrichment and supplemental support to the Harvard Public Schools, beyond what is possible through the regular school budget. An independent membership organization working in cooperation with the schools, the trust funds grants that promote curriculum enhancement, provides extracurricular experiences, purchases special equipment, and furthers staff development. Founded in 1989, the trust has funded hundreds of grants requested by teachers, parents, and students.
Hurricane relief for Jamaican workers
Apple growers in Harvard rely on seasonal workers from Jamaica, which suffered catastrophic damage in late October from Hurricane Melissa. Both Carlson Orchards and Westward Orchards are running GoFundMe campaigns to support their Jamaican workers. To contribute, visit gofundme.com/f/support-carlsons-workers-after-hurricane-melissa (Carlson Orchards) and gofundme.com/f/support-westward-orchards-team-after-hurricane-melissa (Westward Orchards).
Sowa Goat Sanctuary
184 Old Littleton Road, Harvard
This nonprofit sanctuary provides a lifelong home for abused, abandoned, and unwanted goats and is also home to rescued farm animals, including chickens, turkeys, pigs, and sheep. In addition to funds, donations of time spent helping at the sanctuary are also welcome. Monthly donations are especially appreciated, in any amount, and are most easily received through Patreon, DonorBox, or PayPal; see the website for details.
The Virginia Thurston Healing Garden
145 Bolton Road, Harvard, 978-456-3532
The Healing Garden is dedicated to providing a healing environment for those with cancer. Complementary therapies to standard medical care, psychosocial support, educational programs, and access to nature are available as part of the garden’s mission to help clients regain control of their health. Last year, the Healing Garden served 527 clients from 129 cities and towns across Massachusetts. Services are offered regardless of ability to pay.
BEYOND HARVARD AND DEVENS
Many of these organizations accept not only monetary donations, but have other ways to give as well. Many shelters have wish lists, some linked to Amazon to make shopping and giving easier. Others may also be looking for volunteers. With rising grocery prices, the need this year is significant.
—— Food ——
Community Harvest Project
37 Wheeler Road, North Grafton 01536, 774-551-6544
The Community Harvest Project, which runs the Prospect Hill Community Orchard at 115 Prospect Hill Rd. in Harvard, is a volunteer-based farming organization that grows crops for distribution to food banks. It also runs a vegetable farm in Grafton. The Adopt-A-Tree campaign directs money to the Harvard Orchard.
Growing Places Garden Project
325 Lindell Avenue, Leominster 01453, 978-598-3723
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 North Central Massachusetts towns. In addition to managing and partnering in community gardens across the area, GPGP also sponsors mobile markets and farmers markets that accept SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) and HIP (Healthy Incentives Program) benefits and helps deliver fresh produce to SNAP and HIP clients in the towns it serves.
Loaves & Fishes
P.O. Box 1, Ayer 01432, 978-772-4627
Loaves & Fishes distributes food to people in need who live in Ayer, Devens, Dunstable, Groton, Harvard, Littleton, and Shirley. This past year, the pantry experienced its highest demand since the pantry opened 42 years ago. Loaves and Fishes welcomes monetary donations as well as donations of food and personal care items. See the website for food drop-off times and address (in Devens).
Worcester County Food Bank
474 Boston Turnpike, Shrewsbury 01545, 508-842-3663
Worcester County Food Bank is the region’s leading anti-hunger organization. With the help of its partner agencies, it distributed 6.1 million pounds of food to 75,000 residents of Worcester County last year. The organization accepts monetary donations as well as food; see the website for food drop-off information.
—— Shelter ——
Abby’s House
52 High Street, Worcester 01609, 508-756-5486
Abby’s House opened in 1976 as one of the first overnight emergency shelters for women in the U.S. It provides shelter, support services, and affordable housing to homeless, battered women and women with low incomes, with or without children. The shelter accepts monetary donations as well as donations of items from an online needs list (and a holiday needs list) with Amazon links.
Habitat for Humanity, North Central Massachusetts
3 Park St., Suite #203, Leominster, MA 01453-5461, 978-348-2749
Habitat NCM serves 30 towns (including Harvard), building homes and making critical repairs. Home repairs allow people to stay safe and secure in their existing affordable homes, and new homes can break the cycle of poverty for hardworking families. Checks should be made payable to Habitat for Humanity NCM; donations of gently used furniture, appliances, or building materials can be dropped off at Habitat’s ReStore which will open at its new location, 650 North Main St. in Leominster in December.
Making Opportunity Count
601 River Street, Fitchburg 01420, 978-345-7040
Making Opportunity Count is a social services nonprofit organization that provides North Central Massachusetts families in need with a wide range of services including housing support, child care, education, workforce development, health, and nutrition.
—— Community ——
Fresh Start Furniture Bank
16 Brent Drive, Hudson 01749, 508-485-2080
Fresh Start Furniture Bank is a volunteer-run charity that recycles donated furniture and housewares, for free, to individuals and families in transition who are trying to rebuild their lives. The furniture bank’s secondary goal is to keep these items out of the waste stream. Donations of funds, furniture, and home goods are accepted; goods can be donated using Amazon and Target wish lists on the website.
Household Goods, Inc.
530 Main Street, Acton 01720, 978-635-1710
Household Goods provides household goods, free of charge, to people in need. It accepts monetary donations and donations of gently used household items that will help people make a home. (See their website for guidelines.) The organization accepts donations of funds, furniture, and household goods Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, 9 a.m. to noon, without an appointment. Goods can also be donated from the website’s Amazon or Target wish lists.
The Great Exchange
33 Andrews Parkway, Devens, 01434, 508-878-1728
The Great Exchange, whose goal is to repurpose materials that are typically thrown away, collects unneeded new or gently used items from offices, schools, manufacturers, and retail businesses and either donates them or makes them available at a deep discount to nonprofits, schools, municipalities, and small businesses. In 2024, it kept over 70,000 pounds of materials out of the waste stream. Monetary donations are needed to help to cover the organization’s operating expenses.
—— Pets ——
Buddy Dog Humane Society
151 Boston Post Road, Sudbury 01776, 978-443-6990
The goal of this nonprofit society is to find responsible, permanent homes for homeless dogs and cats. Besides monetary donations, Buddy Dog accepts donations of unexpired, unopened dog and cat food and other items on their website wish list, as well as their Amazon and Chewy.com wish lists. To drop off items at the shelter, ring the bell between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays.
Great Dog Rescue New England
978-470-3383
In addition to its primary goal of helping homeless dogs find homes, this nonprofit group supports clinics that spay and neuter pets to help solve overpopulation, helps local schools educate about animal rescue and responsible pet ownership, and sends dogs to agencies for training to assist the physically disabled and hearing impaired. Great Dog is a shelterless organization; dogs live in private foster homes until adopted. Photos and information about adoptable dogs as well as adoption applications are available on the website.
Sterling Animal Shelter
17 Laurelwood Road, Sterling 01564, 978-422-8585
This no-kill shelter seeks to find homes for cats and dogs and provides medical care for stray, abused, and neglected animals. Adoptees are vet checked, spayed or neutered, and vaccinated. The shelter also offers low-cost spay, neuter, and vaccine clinics for animals in the community. The shelter accepts monetary donations and has both Amazon and Chewy.com wish lists for shelter supplies.
Yankee Golden Retriever Rescue
110 Chapin Road, Hudson 01749, 978-568-9700
This no-kill shelter seeks to find homes for Golden Retrievers and Golden-at-Heart dogs. It provides medical care, enrichment, and training to the dogs in its care. The shelter accepts monetary donations as well as food, toys, and blankets that can be dropped off on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 10 a.m. to noon. The website also has a Chewy.com wish list.
—— Arts and Culture ——
Freedom’s Way National Heritage Area
94 Jackson Road, Suite 311, Devens 01434, 978-772-3654
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.
Groton Hill Music Center
122 Old Ayer Road, Groton 01450, 978-486-9524
Groton Hill Music Center encompasses performance halls, a music school, and outreach and education programs, providing opportunities for all ages to connect through music. Donations help support instrument lessons for over 1,000 students in Fitchburg, Clinton, Leominster, Gardner, Lowell, and Lawrence schools, scholarships for Groton Hill students experiencing financial hardship, and free daytime concerts for families, memory-care patients, and seniors.
Icon Museum and Study Center
203 Union Street, Clinton 01510, 978-598-5000
Enhancing relations between Russia and the United States through art, the museum houses more than 1,000 Russian icons, artifacts, and paintings; a permanent gallery featuring Greek icons is also now open. The museum hosts the largest collection of its kind in North America with galleries spanning three floors.
—— Environment ——
Nashua River Watershed Association
592 Main Street, Groton 01450, 978-448-0299
The Nashua River Watershed Association’s 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.
Sudbury Valley Trustees
Department 270, P.O. Box 4110, Woburn 01888-4110, 978-443-5588
Sudbury Valley Trustees works to protect natural areas and farmland in the 36 communities that surround the Sudbury, Assabet, and Concord rivers. Most recently, the Sudbury Valley Trustees partnered with the Harvard Conservation Trust and other groups in protecting the Eastern Greenway-North as part of the High Ridge Initiative.