Dear Neighbors,
There is lots of news this month and many ways you can help, but first, thank you to everyone who donated to our bike drive!
The Bike Drive was a great success!
On July 10 we wrapped up the second of two drop-off dates in Waltham to finish up our Summer Bike Drive. Many of you came by to donate bikes in various sizes. Thanks to your generosity, we were able to provide, through a partner in Waltham:
20 bikes and 1 scooter
16 new helmets
16 bike locks
Thanks, too, to the amazing Newton Neighbors volunteers who were on site to receive, fix, tune, and test drive all the bikes before we distributed them to families: Charlotte, Bruce, Julie, Jonathan, Jenn, Lisa, Ranjani, Shalini, and Adolfo. Thanks also to Barbara DiGirolamo from the Injury Prevention Program at Boston Children’s Hospital for donating 16 brand new helmets, and to Landry’s Bicycles in Newton for providing a discount on bike parts we needed to fix some of the donated bikes.
It was a fantastic turnout, and all the families were so appreciative that their kids now have bikes for summer fun and exercise.
Help deliver food to neighbors
Thank you so much to everyone who has signed up to do volunteer deliveries from our local food pantries. These deliveries make a huge difference to families in our community who cannot access the pantries themselves, and we are so grateful for each and every volunteer.
We still have some open volunteer slots over the summer, especially in August - you can find more information here along with the signup form. Email NewtonNeighborsHelping@gmail.com with any questions.
Dignity Matters bra drive
Dignity Matters provides menstrual care, bras, and underwear to 10,000 women in Massachusetts every month, including about 800 women and girls through Newton-based partners. They are in URGENT NEED of bras in large sizes: 42 – 54 C, D, DD, DDD, DDDD, DDDDD, and larger.
They accept new and like-new bras. Drop-off locations:
9 South Street, Chestnut Hill, bin in driveway
120 Garland Road, Newton Centre, bin in driveway
114 Green Street, Needham, bin in driveway
Please check your drawers, ask your friends, and help if you can. You can also purchase through the Amazon Wish List. Thank you!
Freedge volunteer opportunities and Facebook page
The Newton Freedge just celebrated four months of supplying food to our neighbors. While summer is a season of vacations and time off, the Newton Freedge remains open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Thank you to our enthusiastic team of Newton Neighbors volunteers who help keep the Freedge stocked and clean every other Thursday. Want to help? We can always use more volunteers! Sign up here to help on July 22, August 5, and August 19.
Want to learn more about the Freedge? Join the Newton Community Freedge Facebook group! This is an incredibly active community, full of photos of the Freedge filled and emptied multiple times a day, volunteers dropping off donations from community partners, and calls for items that are most needed. It may inspire you to make a Freedge donation a part of your weekly shopping trip.
Volunteer sewers to make masks
Cradles to Crayons is continuing to distribute masks for children across MA, and our small but mighty team of mask makers is continuing to support these efforts. We are in need of additional volunteer sewers. If you are interested in joining our sewing team, please email Newton Neighbors at newtonneighborshelping@gmail.com to join our team.
July 22: Focus group for Newton renters
The City of Newton is trying to learn as much as possible about Newtonian’s visions for their village centers to inform zoning decisions. Register here to join a virtual focus group for Newton renters on Thursday, July 22, 5:30 – 6:30 pm. No zoning expertise needed!
If you cannot make this time, fill out the Focus Group Interest Form to stay updated on future zoning redesign engagement opportunities. Learn more at newtonma.gov/zoningredesign/vc and follow Newton Planning and Development on Instagram and Facebook.
Be safe and enjoy summer!
_______________________
Newton Neighbors accepts tax-deductible donations through our fiscal agent, Newton Community Pride. If you would like to make a donation, please do so here. Thank you for your support!