Annual Newton Holiday Gift Drive is Underway

Donations of gift certificates and new, unwrapped gifts for children ages newborn to 10 will be accepted from November 19 through December 14.

While you're out doing your holiday shopping this year, you can help one of your Newton neighbors just by picking up an extra toy or gift certificate.  The Village Bank has once again partnered with the Newton Department of Health and Human Services for the annual Holiday Gift Drive.  The drive, which helps hundreds of Newton families in need, will run from Nov. 19 through Dec. 14. Drop-off locations include Village Bank branches in Auburndale, Newtonville, Nonantum, Newton Highlands, Waban and West Newton. “People are still struggling as a result of the economy,” Village Bank President and CEO Kenneth C. Brennan said in a press release. “But we’re confident that those who can will step up and help make a difference again this year.” …

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Lasell College Staffer, Alum Lends a Hand to Storm-Ravaged NJ

Tricia Culver packed a van filled with supplies and dropped them off at a shelter in the Toms River Area of New Jersey.

The following is a press release issued by Lasell College: Tricia Culver '10 is familiar with the NJ coastline. Toms River and the Jersey Shore are part of her territory - she's met the people, seen the landscape. After Hurricane Sandy - much of that has changed and Culver, a Lasell alum and Lasell Admissions Counselor wanted to help. Days after the storm, Culver returned to Lasell and started a grass-roots collection with the help of Lasell's Center for Community Based Learning (CCBL). The plan was to bring supplies back to affected areas of NJ the next week -- Culver would stuff them into her car. But she collected so many supplies that she had to wait. Over the weekend Culver and volunteers packed a Lasell shuttle van full of supplies …

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Newton Resident Helps VNA of Boston Raise More Than $200K

Zita Cousens served on the Gala Host Committee and was instrumental in getting items donated to the silent auction.

City Sports and adidas Provide Gear for Student Marathon Training Program

Dreamfar High School Marathon, which involves Newton students, trains high schoolers to run a marathon "in an effort to teach them goal-setting, commitment, teamwork, life skills and dedication."

Newton Pet Store Helping Animals Affected by Hurricane Sandy

Your purchase of a 40 lb. bag of Diamond Naturals Beef & Rice Dog Food ($34.99) or a 30 lb. bag of Blue Buffalo Chicken Adult Dog Food will help out pets affected by Hurricane Sandy.

Newton Food Pantry Gets Funding from Walk for Hunger

Project Bread awards more than $78,000 raised in the Walk for Hunger.

  This is an edited version of a press release from Project Bread:  Project Bread, a leading Massachusetts antihunger organization, has awarded $78,700 in grants to emergency food programs throughout the west-of-Boston rea, through funds raised by the 44th annual Walk for Hunger. The grants will support programs such as food pantries, schools, farms, food banks, food salvage programs, and other community organizations providing hunger relief. More than 43,000 supporters walked to raise money to help the hungry. In the west-of-Boston area, 22 different agencies will benefit from these grants. Emergency food programs are a vital resource for people who struggle with hunger, which an estimated 750,000 people in Massachusetts experience. Last …

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TELL US: Who Makes a Difference in Newton?

Help showcase people who are doing great things in your community with our new feature, Count Us In.

Your neighbor who volunteers at the library, your child’s bus driver, and the Little League coach in your community may not seem to have much in common at first glance. But Patch’s new initiative, Count Us In, aspires to bring together all Good Samaritans by highlighting residents who are exemplary at making your community a more positive place. Partnering with Harvard Pilgrim Health Care (HPHC), Count Us In aims to illustrate HPHC's values. They believe that “amazing things happen when people work together” and that is why we want to share stories about just that. If you know someone who exemplifies being a good neighbor, volunteer or teacher—or someone who has simply helped the community in an inspiring way—please tell us about it in the…

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