Dear Neighbors,
Spring has sprung in Newton and summer is just around the corner! Our hearts are full as we close out our most successful camp fundraiser ever. But there is no time to rest. Our Newton Neighbors core team is busier than ever organizing our citywide annual diaper collection and distribution day in May, plus several other initiatives.
Like the summer camp drive, the diaper drive and distribution day is one of our many “But what do they need…,” “Wouldn’t it be great…,” “What if we could…” projects. Many of these projects are initiated through ongoing conversations with our partners, ensuring that what we do and how we do it is community responsive.
But the “Wouldn’t it…” and “What if...” can only become “Wow! Look at what we’ve done!” projects with your support.
So please, take a few minutes to scroll below and learn how you can get involved.
OUR UPCOMING INITIATIVE
Diaper Drive and Distribution
April 22 - May 6: Citywide Diaper Drive
May 13: Diaper Pickup
One in three families struggles to afford diapers, making it even harder for them to buy food and other necessities. Help us support local families who need diapers! Last year we were able to provide diapers to 100 families and we hope to support even more this year.
Sizes requested: Newborn — 7
Open boxes are welcome, but please put diapers in labeled plastic sleeves or bags.
Donate diapers at:
FamilyACCESS of Newton (492 Waltham St, West Newton)
Drop off inside the front doors from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm when the building is open. Look for a table with a diaper dropoff sign. NO weekend dropoffs.
American Legion Nonantum Post 440 (295 California St, Nonantum)
Drop off in the main office 7 days a week from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. From the parking lot, enter the glass doors, up the steps, and turn left.
Porch dropoff (128 Herrick Road in Newton Centre)
Leave your donation in the bin marked “Diapers” at the top of the driveway or on the front porch, depending on the weather.
Purchase diapers from our Amazon Wish List
Diapers will be shipped directly to one of our collection points. QR code:
Does your family need diapers?
Pick up free diapers for your family on May 13, 7:30am - 12:30pm (no registration required) at:
American Legion Nonantum Post 440, 295 California St, Nonantum
FamilyACCESS of Newton, 492 Waltham St, West Newton
Earth Day
April 23, 12 - 4 pm: Earth Day Festival
Come visit the Newton Neighbors table at the Earth Day Festival to learn more about our ongoing work.
Oh Yes We Did! Summer Camp 2023
Once again you, our most generous community, rallied to make camp possible for so many Newton students. Not only did we hit our $10,000 goal, we exceeded it by $225!
Thanks to you, the camp scholarship gap can be bridged for approximately 40 students. They will have fun and explore creative outlets, outdoor activities, science projects, continuous learning, and social growth at a Newton camp this summer.
On behalf of our hardworking school social workers and the families and students you support through this program, we thank you for being the best kind of neighbors!
VOLUNTEER FOR NEWTON NEIGHBORS
Food Delivery to Neighbors: Recruiting Drivers for May
We are actively recruiting drivers for all shifts for our grocery delivery program from local food pantries to neighbors who can’t get to the pantries on their own. Here’s the schedule:
Tuesdays from Centre Street Food Pantry (Newton Centre). Pickup at either 12 or 12:15.
Wednesdays from Newton Food Pantry (City Hall). Scheduled pickup times between 12:15 - 2:45.
The third Friday of the month from Post 440 Mobile Food Bank. Pickup between 9 - 9:15 am.
It takes about an hour of your day to make these deliveries.
Please sign up here for May: https://volunteersignup.org/JM9QD. Thank you!
Newton Community Freedge
Newton Neighbors continues to take care of the Newton Community Freedge every Thursday. Please help our neighbors by picking up a few extra items when you go shopping for groceries. Drop them off anytime at the Freedge at 420 Watertown Street, or at 174 Oliver Road in Waban. Some of the most needed items are milk, eggs, yogurt, butter, flour, cereal, soap, cooking oil, pasta, and mac and cheese.
We need volunteers to help maintain the Freedge! If you have some time to give on Thursdays, please sign up here to help.
FROM OUR COMMUNITY
The Book Shed Is Open!
The Book Shed is located at the Recycle Recovery Center on Rumford Avenue in West Newton. It is a place for residents to donate gently used books and pick up books for personal use/enjoyment. The extensive collection of fiction and nonfiction is well organized into separate sections include Mysteries, Memoirs, Music, Biographies, Poetry, Philosophy, Science, Nature, Gardening, Sports, Sci-Fi, Foreign Language, Religion/Spirituality, Arts and Crafts,True Life Adventures, American and World History, Political Science, and Social Science.
Our Children’s Section is popular with parents, children and teachers and includes picture books and board books for the very young child, chapter books, science, history, sports, and biographies for elementary-age children and a well-stocked Young Adult section.
The Book Shed does not accept encyclopedias, computer manuals, textbooks, medical books, DVDs, VHS tapes, or out-of-date books dealing with business, economics, travel, health, science, etc.
The days and hours of the Book Shed are subject to change depending on the weather and availability of volunteers. Book Shed hours are posted on the front of the shed.
Tuesday 10 - 1
Wednesday 10 - 12
Thursday 10 - 12
Saturday 9 - 12
One Can Help’s Annual Fundraiser
May 1, 6:30, Tap and Brewery
Our friends at One Can Help are hosting their 17th Annual Fundraiser on Monday, May 1. This in-person event will take place at the Tap and Brewery on Moody Street in Waltham from 6:30pm on, and Attorney General Andrea Campbell will be the featured speaker!
One Can Help was created by court-appointed attorneys and social workers who believed that a major opportunity to meaningfully improve and enhance vulnerable lives is lost when there is juvenile court or child welfare agency involvement but no way to remedy concerns.For info about this event, go tohttps://onecanhelp.org/.
Thanks, Neighbors! Looking forward to seeing you on Earth Day.