Happy Spring, Neighbors! April is full of Newton Neighbors initiatives and so many wonderful things happening throughout the city. This month’s newsletter highlights our summer camp fundraiser, Earth Day, ways to support neighbors by delivering food, and more. We are also excited to bring back our “Neighbor to Neighbor: Newton Tips” section which contains useful information about trash, ticks, and poison ivy. What more could you ask for?
Neighbors, we would love to hear from you. Do you have a “Newton Tip” to share with others? An upcoming event or community organization you’d like to highlight? Email us and let us know!
Newton Neighbors Projects
Last DAY for our Summer Camp Fundraiser
Thanks to all of you who have helped us get this far! We love seeing the thermometer “temperature” rise. There are still 7 - 8 students hoping to join our list–your donation can make a big difference.
Camp MATTERS!
Camp scholarships provided by Newton Neighbors Helping Neighbors and the Newton community have been tremendous! It's been such a great resource to help connect students and families with fun and enriching summer programs to keep them engaged and continue their social, emotional, and academic growth over the summer!
~ Nicki Eastburn, Burr School Social Worker
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 socials and pizza parties were probably the best part!" ~ Esti
Please help us by making a tax-deductible contribution here!
Delivering Food to Our Neighbors in Need
We are launching a new schedule in April for our program delivering groceries from local food pantries to our neighbors unable to get to the pantries on their own. Our new schedule is as follows:
Tuesdays from Centre Street Food Pantry (Newton Centre). Pickup between 12 - 12:15.
Wednesdays from Newton Food Pantry (City Hall). Scheduled pickup times between 12:15 - 2:45.
Third Friday of the month from Post 440 Mobile Food Bank. Pickup between 9 - 9:15am.
It takes about an hour of your day to make these deliveries. We especially need drivers during school vacation week - feel free to bring your kids and make it a family activity!
Please sign up here: https://volunteersignup.org/7X4D7
Call for volunteers interested in gardening!
May 21, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm Horace Mann Housing Complex
Newton Neighbors, along with our partners at the Newton Housing Authority and Newton Community Farm, is launching a project this spring to plant container gardens for eligible seniors on May 21 at the Horace Mann Housing Complex (corner of Watertown and Walker Streets, Newtonville).
This project is a great way to get outdoors, meet your neighbors, and help beautify the space at the Horace Mann Complex. It is also a great project for kids! We welcome volunteers of all ages and experience levels.
The project will take place on May 21, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm. Volunteers can sign up for 2-hour shifts at https://www.tinyurl.com/NNcontainergarden
Please contact Susan Vaughn at susanv@newtonneighbors.org with any questions.
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 are 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.
If you also have some time to give on Thursdays, please sign up here to help.
Events
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, including our new container garden project.
The Earth Day Festival is a family fun event that features entertainment, food, a green technology showcase, an e-vehicle display, and a family bike ride. Click here for more details:
April 8, 9 am - 12 pm: Keep Newton Beautiful City-Wide Cleanup
In-person at self-selected locations.
Come join with your family, friends, and neighbors to give the city of Newton a clean sweep. This cleanup event offers volunteers the opportunity to get some fresh air while cleaning up the litter that has accumulated in Newton over the winter months. Pick a location with friends and family, bring supplies, and together we can keep Newton beautiful!
Neighbor to Neighbor: Newton Tips
Yard waste pick up began on March 27 https://www.newtonma.gov/government/public-works/sustainable-materials-management/yard-waste
The Swap Shop reopens on Thursday, April 27
Hours: Thursday, Friday, and Saturday 7:30am-1:30pm (weather permitting)
Clear out clutter without adding to the waste stream! Newton's Swap Shop is located at the Newton Resource Recovery Center. Drop off clean, usable, working unwanted items for reuse, or come to take usable goods for their personal use.
The Swap Shop is run by volunteers and may close if no volunteers are available. We are always looking for more volunteers! For more information, contact the DPW Sustainable Materials Management Division.
Drop off clean, usable, working unwanted items for reuse, or come to take usable goods for personal use.
Download the Recycle Right app to get this type of info any time!
Watch out for ticks and poison ivy as the weather warms!
Ticks come in many different sizes and can be very hard to see - and it’s almost impossible to feel them when they bite. Please check out this great guide to prevent tick bites.
Poison ivy is another summer hazard to watch out for. To avoid the itch of poison ivy, look at these helpful facts from the CDC.
