Dear Neighbors,
While the scattering of snow this weekend was unexpected, it didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of neighbors helping neighbors! Here’s what’s been happening over the past week:
Masks for neighbors: Lynda Cowin Nijensohn with the Metrowest Sewing Group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/MetrowestSews4Covid19/) sewed over 440 masks for clients of the Centre Street and Arabic Baptist Church Food Pantries as well as residents of the Newton Housing Authority. We are so grateful for the skills, dedication, and generosity of this amazing group! If you would like to join their sewing efforts please contact Lynda at runlyndeez@gmail.com. And thank you to those who donated fabric to the group during our fabric drive!
Feeding families: With support from the YMCA we helped 17 families get food from the Grab and Go meal program and we worked with neighbors to get 27 families food from the Centre Street Food Pantry.
Boredom Buster Kits: To date, 127 senior care packages and 71 kids packages have been purchased and gifted through our retail partners. We are continuing to partner with the Newton Housing Authority and will now be working with REACH Beyond Domestic Violence and Newton Wellesley Hospital.
For those of you looking to support neighbors this week, here are a few ways you can help:
MAKE OUR COMMUNITY BEAUTIFUL! Take part in the Newton Neighborhood Art Walk by putting up art in your windows! This week's theme is "I scream, you scream, we all scream for ICE CREAM!". If you are participating, please add your address on the layer called "Week 7: Ice Cream!"
https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?fbclid=IwAR1gJ2Cv-uiSTyeGuYIECNT5g3aMOpYGoajBbCtidSmAaodTGadmrx2tpzg&mid=1UJ-xn3-zpYvzUpJxWnrFpHJFsernbpgz&ll=42.36368666634777%2C-71.21235164999996&z=11 Just type in your address and click “Add to Map”. If you're having trouble, feel free to send a message along with your address to the moderators of the Newton Neighborhood Art Walk Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/newtonartwalk/. The art can be as simple or as elaborate as you want. Feel free to color a printout, craft it out of colored paper, make a 3D model for your lawn, or share some relevant facts in your windows. The possibilities are endless. Challenge older kids to be creative. Thank you for participating. Keep on creating and keep on walking.
DONATE NON-PERISHABLES: The John M Barry Boys & Girls Club of Newton has been providing food to over 20 Newton families (~100 people). They are collecting non-perishable items: pasta, rice, snacks, canned goods, toilet paper, paper towels, wipes, soap, toothpaste.
They are accepting non-perishable grocery items from 10:15-11am every Monday at the club. You can pull into the driveway and leave bags outside the building.
Loren Wein is also collecting items at his home for a bulk delivery - drop off between 11 AM and 4 PM on May 16th & 17th at 70 Mary Ellen Rd, Newton. For more details email Loren: lorencwein94@gmail.com.
To make a financial contribution to the Boys & Girls Club’s efforts, visit their website at https://www.newtonbgc.com.
PURCHASE A CARE PACKAGE: Our care package initiative continues to be a success! Support some of your favorite local retailers as well as neighbors in need of comfort and entertainment - gift a care package with educational materials & boredom busters for a Newton senior or child in need! NNHN is partnering with the Newton Housing Authority and other partners to distribute “boredom buster” entertainment care packages to residents living in Newton public housing - particularly seniors who have been self-isolating and young children (ages 5 and under) who need to be entertained and are not yet in school. Participating local businesses include Newtonville Books, Henry Bear's Park, Greentail Table, The Paper Mouse and Hipstitch! Care packages are $25 or $50, and can be purchased online by visiting the Care Packages page on the Welcoming Newton site, then by clicking on the link to the local business website. Your purchase will be delivered directly into the hands of a Newton senior or child living in Newton public housing. Join us to support our community and send a message of hope to a Newton resident in need!
DONATE AN OLD IPAD TO A SENIOR: Lori Garg is collecting iPads and other “i-devices” to give to nursing homes and assisted living communities so that seniors can video chat with their loved ones who are no longer able to visit. The first batch of iPads will be donated to nursing homes in Feed the Fight Boston’s network. A doctor working with Feed the Fight Boston described the need as “intense!” If you are able to donate a device please email lori.garg@gmail.com. Please make sure to wipe the device clean so that no personal information remains.
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