January 2026 NN Newsletter

Happy New Year, Newton Neighbors!

As we kick off 2026, we want to say a huge THANK YOU for all your support in 2025. You've made such a difference in our community, and we couldn’t do our work without you. Click here for a video of how much we accomplished the past year with your generosity!

Off to the Races! Newton Neighbors 2026 Summer Camp Program

We’re already looking ahead to April. Our very own Ranjani Paradise, one of our founders, will be running in the Boston Marathon to raise funds for the Newton Neighbors Summer Camp Scholarship Program. While most of us are huddled up indoors, Ranjani is out there training through cold, wind, snow, ice, and whatever else January decides to throw at her. 

In the last six years, the Newton Neighbors Summer Camp Program has helped almost 200 families send their children to camp. This program ensures that NPS elementary and middle school students with camp scholarships can continue their developmental learning, form lasting friendships, and just have fun. 

Your donations help families bridge the financial gap they must pay to guarantee their child’s scholarship. With Ranjani’s help, we are reaching for the stars this summer and hoping to raise $20,000. For as little as $100, you can help a student enjoy a week of camp in and around Newton. 

To donate directly to the Newton Neighbors Marathon webpage and support the 2026 Summer Camp Program, click here: https://www.givengain.com/donate/cc/32253#amount. 

We will be cheering Ranjani on all winter and posting reels and updates on our progress. Thank you for making a pledge, and see you at the marathon on Monday, April 20th! 

Call for Volunteers: Food Pantry Delivery

Help deliver groceries from local food pantries to our neighbors who are unable to get to the pantries on their own. This is an important initiative for Newton Neighbors and, especially during the holiday season, we can always use more hands (and cars). If you are able to help, we would be most grateful! It usually takes about an hour of your time and makes a big difference to so many in our community.

Our schedule is:

• Tuesdays from Centre Street Food Pantry. Pickup time 2:15 – 2:45.

• Wednesdays from Newton Food Pantry. Scheduled pickups between 12:15 – 2:45.

Sign up for January: https://volunteersignup.org/FLMHT

Call for Volunteers: Freedge

Every Thursday, Newton Neighbors coordinates donations to the Newton Community Freedge, Newton Food Pantry’s community refrigerator and pantry initiative. Volunteer opportunities throughout the day include picking up donations from business partners and bringing them to the Freedge, and cleaning and maintaining the Freedge. Located in the parking lot of Central Cleaners at 420 Watertown Street in Nonantum, the Freedge is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and offers free food and personal-care items to neighbors in need.Please sign up here to help: volunteersignup.org/9F7RB

Community Happenings

 Newton's 57th Annual Community Celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr. 

Monday, January 19, 9am

FUUSN, 1326 Washington St, West Newton 

The City of Newton will host its 57th Annual Community Celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr. on January 19, beginning at 9:00 am, at First Unitarian Universalist Society in Newton (FUUSN), 1326 Washington Street. Registration required. Click here for more information. 

The event will include a drive for nonperishable food and personal care items–please bring a donation. All items must be within their expiration date. 

January 21: Understanding Basic Rights in Special Education

Wednesday, January 21 Free webinar, 7 - 8pm The Newton Special Education Parent Advisory Council (Newton SEPAC)  invites you to attend Understanding Basic Rights in Special Education, a free online webinar on January 21 from 7:00 - 8:00 pm. Register here. 

This presentation is open to all and will cover topics including: 

• What special education laws mean for your child

• How to request testing and create a strong plan

• Working with teachers and school staff 

• Preparing for middle school, high school, and beyond 

• Finding parent groups and local resources

  
  

January 23 - 25: SPARK Newton Winterfest 

January 23-25 Various times and locations Save the date for a cool weekend of free family fun, filled with ice sculptures, movie, author reading, arts and crafts, winter nature walk, the spectacular annual Highlands Soup Social, and MORE. You can find the full schedule and details at sparknewton.org/happenings/winterfest-2026/. So bundle up and get ready to meet your neighbors for a winter wonderland weekend! 

Newton Community Education: Winter Programs & Summer Camp

Newton Community Education has amazing day and evening classes for adults, including Painting, Real Estate Planning, Mah Jongg, Yoga, Cooking, Guitar, and Spanish. 

Register now for NCE Summer Camps like Robotics, Animation, Carpentry, Soccer, Boston Teen Exploration, Counselors in Training, Glass Art, Painting, and swim lessons—creative, active, and skill-building opportunities for every age and interest! At Newton North and Zervas Schools June 29-Aug 31.

Learning that grows with you and your family - from Newton Public Schools. 

Looking forward to seeing you around the villages in 2026, neighbors!