As people turn their attention to giving to local charities during the holiday season, the Press is happy to provide the following list of organizations, recommended by townspeople and staff as charities that are doing good work in the community. All are organized as not-for-profit, but questions about tax deductibility should be addressed to each organization. Many of them originate in Harvard; a number of them also serve the wider area that includes Harvard.

Buddy Dog Humane Society, Inc., 151 Boston Post Road (Route 20), Sudbury, MA 01776. Laurie Lincoln, executive director. Founded in 1961, Buddy Dog is a nonprofit animal welfare organization dedicated to finding new homes for dogs and cats. The goal of Buddy Dog is to find responsible and permanent homes for all the animals in its care. For a list of animals awaiting adoption or for more information visit www.buddydoghs.com.

The Food Project, P.O. Box 705, Lincoln, MA 01773; P.O. Box 256141, Dorchester, MA 02125; 84 Lewis St., Second floor, Lynn, MA 01902. Pat Gray, executive director. The Food Project is a launching pad for new ideas about youth and adults partnering to create social change through sustainable agriculture. The goal of the organization is sustainable, local food systems that bridge race, class, age, and more, to ensure food security for all.

Friends of the Council on Aging, P.O. Box 474, Harvard. Marie LeBlanc, chairwoman. The Friends of the COA has a mission to support senior services in Harvard. Funds from The Friends help fund hours for the COA’s outreach coordinator and support special refurbishment projects at Hildreth House. The Friends also pay for the printing and mailing of the COA newsletter.

Friends of the Harvard Public Library, P.O. Box 506, Harvard. Chris and Susan Frechette, co-presidents. The purpose of this organization is to stimulate the interest of the community in the services and needs of the Harvard Public Library, to provide a program of assistance through volunteer help, and to sponsor programs that enable the library to keep pace with the growth of Harvard.

Growing Places Garden Project, Inc., P.O. Box 237, Harvard. Cindy Buhner and Kate Deyst created the Growing Places Garden Project in 2001 with a mission to enhance food security for people with limited economic means. For the past six years they have donated raised vegetable gardens to clients, and helped them grow, harvest, use, and store their fresh produce. The GPGP serves a number of towns in the area, including Harvard. More information about this organization is available at www.growingplaces.org.

Harvard Conservation Trust, P.O. Box 31, Harvard. Victor Normand, president. The Conservation Trust is dedicated to the preservation of Harvard’s unique character and valuable resources, and seeks to preserve Harvard’s rural and agricultural character. The Trust’s top priority is protecting town land from unwanted development so that open space can be preserved for future generations. Detailed information on how the organization serves this mission is available at www.harvardtrust.org.

Harvard Help, P.O. Box 259, Harvard. Dianne Carter, treasurer. Harvard Help was organized many years ago as a way to let townspeople help each other with transportation needs, family help in emergencies, visiting the homebound or elderly, and occasional delivery of Minuteman meals. Assistance from Harvard Help is available to anyone in town.

The Harvard Schools Trust, P.O. Box 450, Harvard. Molly Cutler and Debbie Kaegebein, co-presidents. The Harvard Schools Trust raises funds and fulfills grant requests for curriculum enhancement, extra-curricular experiences, special equipment, and staff development, none of which would be possible within the regular school budget. Since its formation in 1989, the Trust has awarded nearly $400,000 to the elementary school and Bromfield. The Trust is governed by a 15-member board of directors made up of parents and community leaders. The website for the Harvard Schools Trust, which includes a list of funded grants, is www.harvardschoolstrust.org.

Loaves and Fishes, P.O. Box 1, Ayer, MA 01432. Kathy Stamski, director. Loaves & Fishes exists as a mission of love and faith to serve people of Ayer, Devens, Groton, Harvard, Littleton, and Shirley by providing food, emergency shelter, resource referral, other temporary services, and by advocating for changes by its clients that will promote independence and self reliance.

Nashua River Watershed Association, 592 Main St., Groton, MA 01450. Elizabeth Ainsley Campbell, executive director. Founded in 1969, the Nashua River Watershed Association’s mission is to work for a healthy ecosystem with clean water and open spaces for human and wildlife communities. In addition, goals include restoring and protecting water quality for people, fish, and wildlife; conserving open spaces for water quality, wildlife habitat, farms, forests and recreation; and encouraging careful land use with well-planned development.

Our Father’s House, P.O. Box 7251, Fitchburg, MA 01420. Barbara Garneau, executive director. Our Father’s House provides emergency and transitional housing to homeless men and women in three different shelters in Fitchburg. Incorporated in 1983, the shelters provide meals, shelter, housing search, and advocacy services in the spirit of hospitality. Rooted in Judeo-Christian values emphasizing the dignity of the individual, its programs encourage and assist each guest to become self-sufficient.

The Virginia Thurston Healing Garden, P.O. Box 145, Harvard. Executive Director Betsy Tyson-Smith. Incorporated in 2000, the Healing Garden is an educational nonprofit organization dedicated to providing a healing environment for women with breast cancer. Complementary therapies to standard medical care, psychosocial support, educational programs, and access to nature are provided as part of the Garden’s mission to offer women a way to regain control of their health. Services are offered regardless of a woman’s ability to pay. Donations can be mailed to the address listed above or online at www.healinggarden.net.

Is there an organization that should be listed here next year? Please assist us by sending contact information to editor@harvardpress.com.