Townspeople suggested the following organizations to the Press as reputable charities doing good work in the community. All of them 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; Laurie Lincoln, executive director; 151 Boston Post Road (Route 20), Sudbury, MA 01776. 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 the website at www.buddydoghs.com.
The Food Project; Pat Gray, executive director; P.O. Box 705, Lincoln, MA 01773; P.O. Box 256141, Dorchester, MA 02125; 84 Lewis St., Second floor, Lynn, MA 01902. 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; Carlene Phillips, chairwoman; P.O. Box 474, Harvard. The Friends of the COA supports senior services in Harvard. Recently, the Friends were able to equip Hildreth House with a handicap-accessible bathroom, print and mail the COA newsletter, refurbish Hildreth House, and fund additional work hours for the COA’s outreach coordinator.
Friends of the Harvard Public Library; Chris and Susan Frechette, co-presidents; P.O. Box 506, Harvard. 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; P.O. Box 237, Harvard. Cindy Buhner and Kate Deyst created the Growing Places Garden Project in 2001 to enhance food security for people with limited economic means. For the past five 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; Victor Normand, president; P.O. Box 31, Harvard. The Conservation Trust seeks to preserve Harvard’s valuable resources and its 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; Dianne Carter, treasurer; P.O. Box 259, Harvard. 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; Molly Cutler and Debbie Kaegebein, co-presidents; P.O. Box 450, Harvard. 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; Kathy Stamski, director; P.O. Box 1, Ayer, MA 01432. Loaves & Fishes serves 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; Elizabeth Ainsley Campbell, executive director; 592 Main Street, Groton, MA 01450. Founded in 1969, the Nashua River Watershed Association works 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, Barbara Garneau, executive director, P.O. Box 7251, Fitchburg, MA 01420. 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; Executive Director Betsy Tyson-Smith; P.O. Box 145, Harvard. 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 may 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.