March 2024 Welcome Neighbors Newsletter

Spring Forward

It’s March, and we know spring is just around the corner–days are longer, Daylight Savings Time starts on March 10, and spring officially arrives on March 19. It’s also Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day is on the 8th. Other March events include Purim on the 23rd, Holi on the 25th, and Easter on the 31st. 

And another major event this March: Newton Neighbors celebrates our fourth anniversary! It’s thanks to you, neighbors, that our organization is able to help so many in our community. We’ll be sharing our accomplishments, goals, and future plans in upcoming posts and newsletters.

Summer Camp Drive: 66% of the way there!

In March we also wind up our summer camp drive.This is the fourth year that NN has raised funds to fill the gap between the camp scholarships awarded to students and the donation their families must pay in order to attend. In these inflationary times, that money is a real challenge for many families in our community. You can help!

Kids Love Camp

I loved going to the lake and playing killer hockey at Camp Echo Bridge. The counselors are so fun, but the ice cream social and pizza parties were probably the best part! ~Esti

We hope to send 35 - 40 students to one of Newton’s many wonderful camps this summer.  

For as little as $80 - $100, you can ensure that a student will be able to attend camp for a week! EVERY donation, no matter the size, gets us closer to our goal!

Please help by making a tax-deductible contribution here! Thank you, neighbors.

Call for Volunteers: Food Pantry Delivery

We are looking for volunteers who can help deliver groceries from our local food pantries to our neighbors who are unable to get to the pantries on their own.

Our schedule is:

• Tuesdays from Centre Street Food Pantry. Pickup at 12 or 12:15 before the pantry opens to the public.

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

• The third Friday of the month from Post 440 Mobile Food Bank. Pickup between 9 - 9:15am before they open to the public.  

It usually takes about an hour of your time and makes a big difference to so many in our community! 

Sign up for March here: https://volunteersignup.org/9LCHM

Call for Volunteers: Freedge 

The Newton Community Freedge is Newton Food Pantry’s community refrigerator and pantry initiative. 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 anyone in need.  

Every Thursday, Newton Neighbors coordinates donations to the Freedge. Volunteer opportunities throughout the day include picking up food from business partners and bringing it to the Freedge, shopping for items, and cleaning and maintaining the Freedge. 

Please sign up here for upcoming slots. 

One of our volunteers contacted us to tell us how much she and her teenage son enjoyed donating to the Freedge and chipping in to help our community. They’ll be signing up again to volunteer!

Neighbor to Neighbor: Spring Info in Newton

March 3: Women’s Day Zumba to Benefit the Freedge

Sunday, March 3, 1:30 - 3:30pm

Eliot Church of Newton, 474 Centre Street

Join the Indian American Community of Newton for a powerful and uplifting celebration of International Women’s Day at an #InspireInclusion themed Zumba event led by Param Roychoudhury.

As part of their commitment to community support, the Indian American community is joining hands with the Freedge. Participants are encouraged to bring a few food items for donation to the Freedge. Please follow the recommended Freedge Donation guidelines.

The event ticket cost covers part of the administrative expenses. Get your tickets here

This event is brought to you by the local non-profit Indian American Community of Newton, dedicated to promoting diversity, equality, and inclusivity while also raising donations for the Freedge.

Tuesday, March 5: Presidential Primary

If you haven’t voted by mail or voted early, don’t forget to vote on Tuesday, March 5, in the presidential primary. Polls are open from 7am to 8pm. Get more information and find your polling location here.

City Council Survey

The Newton City Council is seeking your thoughts and input as to how to increase transparency and how our city government can make information easier to find and understand. 

Please share your thoughts with the council by completing their questionnaire to share your experiences during the recent NTA strike. This questionnaire is also available on paper at the Clerk’s office located on the first floor of City Hall.

Plastic Ordinance: Ask for Utensils Only if You Need Them!

Starting this month, if you need utensils for take out food, all you have to do is ask the restaurant! Restaurants will not automatically include forks, spoons, knives, or chopsticks with orders. However, if you ask for them, you can still have them. Included in this ordinance is a ban on the intentional release of helium balloons.

For a full listing of events happening in Newton this month and beyond, go to our local news sources Fig City News and The Newton Beacon. 

Thanks, neighbors, and have a great March!