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Needham Bank, Wellesley
Write Ahead, Wellesley

Wellesley charity runners: Share your Boston Marathon profile

January 25, 2023 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

We’ve created a page where we will post profiles of those from Wellesley who are taking part in the 2023 Boston Marathon on April 18 for a charity as well as those who are running for a Wellesley charity.

Fill out this form if you’d like for us to include your bio and a link to your fundraising page on our site.

We’re also happy to hear from others who will be taking part in the race in any way if you’ve got a great story to tell: theswellesleyreport@gmail.com

boston marathon 2022 wellesley

More: Charities awarded marathon bibs by Wellesley

Filed Under: Fundraising, Sports

Linden Square, Wellesley
Riverbend, Natick

Needham Bank comes up big with $100K for Wellesley Track & Field project

December 21, 2022 by Deborah Brown 4 Comments

The Wellesley Field Fund (WFF) set a goal last September to raise $1.5M in private fundraising for Phase 2 of a project to add expensive upgrades, including lights, to the Wellesley High School track and field. Supporters of the Community Investors-backed 501(3)(c) had hoped fundraising would be completed by Thanksgiving, but there’s still $930k to go before lights, team rooms, and a modern sound system come to fruition.

Now the campaign has gotten a boost from Needham Bank with a matching funds campaign that, if successful, would bring fundraising up to 50% of its $1.5M goal. The bank has announced it will contribute $100,000 in matching donations to the WFF capital campaign. This isn’t Needham Bank’s first fundraising rodeo geared toward Wellesley sports. Back in 2016 when the WFF raised $1.3M to resurface the track and install a larger turf field, the bank served as the effort’s lead community partner and donor.

Wellesley resident and Needham Bank chairman, president and CEO Joe Campanelli said, “Having a track and field complex that allows for night games and extends the uses for our town is a win for everyone, not just the student athletes. It brings people together as players and spectators and creates a safe space for the community to gather. We’re very proud to continue to champion this project with our phase 2 gift of $100,000.”

Specifically, the WFF Capital Campaign funds will be used for:

● Team rooms: Locker rooms and bathrooms for home and away teams.
● Lighting: Aimed at providing safety for athletes and spectators during games and practices at dusk or night, and allowing for more people to attend events. The dark sky-compliant lights would be designed to limit their impact on the surrounding area.
● Sound system: Speakers mounted to direct sound to the immediate track & field area.

(Funding for a combo bathroom and concession stand facility would largely be covered by money appropriated at the 2018 Annual Town Meeting.)

Estimated Phase 2 costs, as of July 2022

Wellesley Track & Field Project

 

More here on the Hunnewell Track & Field Project 

Not everyone in town is thrilled about the progression of the Track & Field project. Field neighbors and others have spoken out vociferously against the proposal during public meetings for a variety of reasons, including concerns about noise, environmental impact, and traffic. They appealed to the NRC to stick to its policies related to land stewardship when making a decision.

A Friends of Hunnewell Fields proponent cited proximity of a residential neighborhood to the project. In a letter to the Swellesley editors, Cliff Canaday said, “The closest homes to the track & field are just 34 yards away. Research shows that light at night—especially combined with noise—negatively impacts human health. It is especially harmful to children, and children live directly across the street from the track & field. If this was your neighborhood, if these were your children, what would you do? What should you do, as a neighbor?”

A tipping point occurred during the 2021 Town election, when Natural Resources Commission incumbent Raina McManus lost her seat to challenger Lisa Collins. Many observers predicted that this change in the board’s makeup would result in an NRC vote to allow lights to be installed at the Track & Field. Last July exactly that happened when the NRC voted 3-2 in favor of the School Committee’s proposal to allow the lights on the NRC property.

Going forward

During the Dec. 6 School Committee Meeting, SC member Linda Chow delivered a presentation on key updates of the project. Chow said that the School Committee and the Natural Resources Commission, co-sponsors of the project, have been able to accept the first infusion of money from Phase 2 to support the design and permitting process for the team room, lights and sound system. However, the town won’t permit construction to begin until all the funds are secured.

Until that point, there’s still plenty of process to wade through. The School Committee has been meeting with the Health Department to address sanitation concerns about the bathrooms and concession stand area. Roaches, their insidious ways, and how to stop them have been discussed at length. There have also been meetings with the Department of Public Works regarding the potential impact on surrounding plantings, and how replacement trees and vegetation will be handled. In addition, color choices and texture for the structures must go before the Design Review board. The NRC will review plans along the way.

Wellesley Track & Field project

Even with fundraising challenges and a multitude of steps to take, Chow said the target time for the Track and Field bathrooms is summer 2023.

Assuming funding is available by end-of-year 2022, team rooms, lighting, and sound could be a reality by fall 2023.


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Filed Under: Construction, Environment, Fundraising, Wellesley High School

Page Waterman, Wellesley
London Harness, Wellesley
Wellesley Lacrosse

Wellesley charity round-up: Food Bank honor; Bruins buddies; Treasurer needed; Lots of donation options

December 8, 2022 by Deborah Brown Leave a Comment

The latest Wellesley charity news:

Wellesley resident honored for Greater Boston Food Bank leadership

Wellesley resident Joanna Travis was honored at The Greater Boston Food Bank’s Women Fighting Hunger event, a networking breakfast and fundraiser hosted at Boston’s Intercontinental Hotel. The recent event returned to an in-person format for the first time in 3 years.

Travis, an attorney who has served as chair of the GBFB Board of Directors since 2019, was honored for her leadership throughout COVID-19 and dedication to GBFB’s mission to end hunger across Eastern Massachusetts. She commented at the event on the challenges of fending off food insecurity even as the price of energy and housing is skyrocketing.

travis
Joanna Travis at Greater Boston Food Bank event

Wellesley Asset Management joins with Bruins to help kids

Wellesley Asset Management rang in the holiday season by holding a party at TD Garden, where the firm donated $5,000 to help the Boston Bruins kick off their annual toy drive/fundraiser for the Globe Santa Fund. The program provides holiday presents to families in need throughout Greater Boston.

Wellesley Asset Management at the Bruins
(Photo courtesy of Wellesley Asset Management)

Volunteer opportunity

World of Wellesley is looking for a new Treasurer for its board. The treasurer is responsible for managing the World of Wellesley budget and the bank account. The estimated time commitment is about 3-4 hours a month. This is a great way to support the programming for World of Wellesley, which is dedicated to making Wellesley an inclusive community for all.

If you are interested in getting involved, email info@worldofwellesley.org or treasurer@worldofwellesley.org”


Give generously to local non-profits this holiday season

If you’re looking for worthy local charities to donate to during the holidays, Wellesley has plenty of organizations that could use your help. Whether you want your contribution to focus on literacy (the Friends of the Wellesley Free Library); fight food insecurity (the Wellesley Food Pantry); or help animals (Stray Pets in Need), hard-working volunteers at the town’s 501(3)(c)’s make sure your money goes to funding programs that positively impact the community.

Here’s a list of some on the grassroots groups in town that make it their mission to serve the town and its residents. Please give generously this holiday season.

Community Investors Supports physical, social and emotional wellness through fun, inclusive, community-based active play.

Friends of the Wellesley Free Library Enhances the library for the community by providing materials, services and programming not funded by the library budget.

Friends of Wellesley METCO Parents and teachers in the Wellesley community and parents of METCO students from Boston committed to supporting METCO students during their time in the Wellesley school system.

Community Fund for Wellesley Mission: to promote the common good and to benefit all residents of the Town. The group encourages a spirit of philanthropic giving to help make Wellesley a better place for its citizens in which to live, work and play.

Human Relations Service (HRS) Community mental health agency serving children and families in Wellesley since 1948. Mission: to treat, reduce, and prevent mental illness.

Kids Backing Kids Supplies kids in need with backpacks stuffed with food, health products, clothes, toys and holiday gifts.

Massachusetts Horticultural Society Helps people of all ages and backgrounds to learn about and appreciate plants, gardens, and the natural world.

Stray Pets in Need (SPIN) Helps find homes for pets in need.

Sustainable Wellesley A volunteer group that engages residents, businesses, and the Town of Wellesley in actions to protect the climate.

Wellesley A Better Chance  Provides academically talented and promising young women of color A Better Chance of educational preparedness through enrollment at Wellesley High School.

Wellesley Cancer Prevention Project  Studies the link between cancer and the environment in hopes of reducing health risk factors for Wellesley residents.

The Wellesley Conservation Land Trust  Protects and preserves Wellesley’s natural environment and maintains its sanctuaries through the contributions and participation of residents.

Wellesley Education Foundation  Devoted to enhancing, enriching and maintaining excellence in the Wellesley Public Schools. Organizes fundraisers including the annual spelling bee, and provides grants.

Wellesley Food Pantry Mission: to provide supplemental and emergency food assistance to Wellesley residents in need.

Wellesley Free Library Foundation  Supports the mission of the Wellesley Free Library. Its goal is to enrich, not replace, traditional tax-based support for the Library through gifts, grants, and bequests from individuals and organizations.

Wellesley Friendly Aid Association  Works to meet the needs of Wellesley residents, offering many forms of assistance to individuals and families of all incomes and ages.

Wellesley Hills Junior Women’s Club Donations and scholarships are made to groups and individuals in the Wellesley area via major fundraisers such as the Kitchen and Home Tour.

Wellesley Neighbors Mission: to enable members to remain independent and continue living at home. Provides access to practical, reliable services and social support, while fostering a sense of community within the town.

Wellesley Rotary Club Mission: to serve others with a focus on strengthening communities in the areas of health, education and sustainable living.

Wellesley Scholarship Foundation Supports academic pursuits by awarding need-based scholarships. WSF also facilitates scholarship aid on behalf of many town organizations.

Wellesley Service League  Provides volunteer services to the community ranging from education, children, elderly, cultural and other charitable interests.

World of Wellesley Hosts events, projects and programs that foster an anti-racist and anti-bias community where diversity, equity and inclusion are fully embraced.

More on Wellesley’s charitable and community action groups.

Filed Under: Fundraising

Sara Campbell, Wellesley

Wellesley volunteer & charity news: Service League links up with MassBay; holiday gift drives

December 1, 2022 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

The latest Wellesley volunteer and charity news:

Service League helps at MassBay

The Wellesley Service League is in the midst of a very busy fall, with members back to work in person and providing support to many partners. Here are a couple of photos from MassBay Community College, where Service league members helped students develop a LinkedIn profile to help get them started on the path to a productive career.

Wellesley Service League at MasBay
Wellesley Service League volunteers at MassBay

 

Wellesley Service League at MassBay
Service League members working with students

 

Holiday charity drives from Heroes Fitness, Housing Authority

Heroes Fitness in Wellesley Square is hosting a free workout class on Sunday, Dec. 11 at 9am in honor of its annual toy drive for kids in need through Sojourner House. Everyone is welcome to come by, drop off a gift, enter a raffle and enjoy some treats. You can secure a complimentary workout class as well by registering and dropping off a gift.

The Wellesley Housing Authority is holding its first holiday gift drive for seniors and adults with disabilities. The Virtual Mitten Giving Tree involves sponsoring a resident who has identified an item they would enjoy as a holiday gift. Email contact@wellesleyhousing.org or call 781 235-0223 to take part. All gifts must be delivered by Dec. 16

Filed Under: Fundraising, MassBay, Volunteering

Wellesley Marketplace was a holiday shopping extravaganza

November 21, 2022 by Deborah Brown Leave a Comment

After the Wellesley Hills Junior Women’s Club took a pandemic-forced two-year hiatus from its annual full-scale Wellesley Marketplace event, the volunteer organization came roaring back to the WHS cafeteria last weekend, bringing in over 200 vendors and artisans who sold everything from gourmet foods to handmade jewelry. The place was packed with 2,000+ excited shoppers who purchased entrance tickets to the juried show ahead of time, in addition to hundreds who showed up the day of the event. We knocked a bunch of lucky gift recipients off our holiday shopping list, all in the name of supporting the WHJWC’s mission of providing impactful scholarships and grants to support those in need in our community.

Wellesley Marketplace
WHJWC members on raffle ticket duty. From left: Ann Davis; Kristen Ellis; Cecilia Malconian; Jackie Barnhart. Want one of those cute aprons with your name on it? (And who wouldn’t?) Look into WHJWC membership.

 

Wellesley Marketplace
Hardy Elementary School kids show their school pride at their fundraising table.

 

Wellesley Marketplace
Yup, the Wellesley HS cafeteria was crowded with shoppers.

 

Wellesley Marketplace
What happens when a WHJWC member finds herself with some extra energy (and ALL Juniors have extra energy)? She takes up woodworking, applies for a Marketplace booth, and goes into business. Jenny Kane, GRATO Creations.

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Filed Under: Clubs, Fundraising, Shopping

Deland, Gibson, Wellesley
Rick Cram, leader

Wellesley charity news: Raider Classic golf tourney raises $20K for local METCO; Relay for Life participants sought

November 18, 2022 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

The latest Wellesley, Mass., charity & fundraising news:

Raider Classic golf tourney raises $20K for Wellesley METCO program

The Friends of Wellesley METCO has been presented with a check for $20,000 courtesy of the inaugural Raider Classic Charitable Golf Tournament, which took place over the summer at Sandy Burr Country Club in Wayland. Eighty golfers took part at the event, which Friends Co-President Tinea Rochelle says “surpassed our wildest expectations for year 1….With player and participant feedback, we are looking forward to taking this event to the next level for years to come.”
This idea began as a few friends getting together to celebrate connections made through Wellesley METCO, which brings urban and suburban students together in town. These friends included Brendan Brooks, Reid Kapinos Drew Kelton, and Conor McCormack.
“As a  parent of 2 Wellesley METCO High School graduates, it’s with great pride to say that Wellesley METCO truly has the friendship & support of the community,” Rochelle writes.

Friends of Wellesley METCO is an all-volunteer nonprofit whose mission is to help Wellesley METCO students with community building and provide support towards academic achievements.

Raider classic metco
WHS grad Reid Kapinos, Friends of Wellesley METCO Co-President Tinea Rochelle, Wellesley High Assistant Principal DrewKelton & WHS grad Conor McCormack

Relay for Life participants sought

relay for lifeThe Relay For Life of Charles River, which raises funds for the American Cancer Society, is seeking student and adult participants from Wellesley and nearby. The event will take place at the Newman School in Needham on May 20.
With the COVID-19 pandemic derailing the event for the past couple of years, organizers are looking to reestablish old connections and make new ones to make the event a success.
At Relay For Life, community members take turns walking around a track lined with light-up bags. Those who are or have lived with cancer, as well as their supporters, take part in the event, which includes entertainment and goes through the night.
See more info on the Relay for Life website or email steven@michaelsdelibrookline.com

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Filed Under: Education, Embracing diversity, Fundraising

Wellesley Hills Junior Women’s Club Marketplace shopping event is Saturday, Nov. 19

November 17, 2022 by admin Leave a Comment

SPONSORED CONTENT: Help the Wellesley Hills Junior Women’s Club (WHJWC) welcome back the 44th annual Wellesley Marketplace holiday fair at Wellesley High School on Saturday, November 19 (the Saturday before Thanksgiving). It’s been three years since the WHJWC has been able to bring more than 200 local artists and craftspeople to town, so this year’s Marketplace is a special homecoming of sorts! Artisans are excited to set up their booths with a full range of goods including fine art, gourmet foods, hostess and teacher gifts, jewelry and clothing, home accessories, ornaments and children’s clothes.

Wellesley Marketplace
Whale Tail Weaving offers modern pieces of wearable art that hold true to America’s whaling and lightship history.

 

Wellesley Marketplace
Janice Kwan, owner of Kitr Knits, says kitr is short for “knitting in the round,” a technique that uses circular needles, allowing her to create seamless pieces.

10 quick facts about Wellesley Marketplace

  1. 1976: First year of Wellesley Marketplace.
  2. 206: number of artisans who will be exhibiting this year.
  3. More than 50% of artists are new to Marketplace since the event was last held in 2019.
  4. More than 2,000 admission tickets were sold to the last Marketplace, held in 2019.
  5. Vocabulary lesson: “Premier Merchants” are vendors who are graciously donating a portion of their proceeds to WHJWC.
  6. DATE: Saturday, November 19, 2022
  7. TIME: 9am-4pm (9am–10am for VIP ticket-holders only.)
  8. LOCATION: Wellesley High School, 50 Rice St., Wellesley, MA 02481
  9. TICKETS: VIP admission tickets $25 (Avoid the crowds, and purchase a VIP ticket for early admission as well as a complimentary collectible gift!)
  10. General admission $20 (at door), or $15 (advance purchase)
  11. BUY TICKETS at this link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/wellesley-marketplace-2022-tickets-438543524487?aff=Swellesley

Instagram: @wellesleymarketplace
Facebook: @Wellesley-Marketplace

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Art, Clubs, Fundraising, Holidays, Shopping, Wellesley High School

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