Providing accurate and timely information about what matters in Franklin, MA since 2007. * Working in collaboration with Franklin TV and Radio (wfpr.fm) since October 2019 *
Tuesday, March 11, 2025
How about some bowling fun to help the Santa Foundation?
Thursday, February 6, 2025
You can wear your support of the Santa Foundation with branded clothing now available!
![]() |
branded clothing now available |
"EXCITING NEWS!THE SANTA FOUNDATION NOW HAS SWAG!!WELCOME TO THE SANTA FOUNDATION ONLINE SWAG STORE.We've got you covered with sweatshirts, tee's, hats and blankets!Welcome to the Santa Foundations online Swag Store! All purchases will generate a donation to the Foundation for our mission! Wearing this gear makes you part of our community - Providing support to our neighbors in need.
Check out the link: https://www.customapparelcai.com/santafoundation"
Tuesday, January 14, 2025
Pam & Joe Formosa say "thanks" to the community for help in revitalizing The Santa Foundation (audio)
FM #1353 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1353 in the series.
This session of the radio show shares conversation with Pam and Joe Formosa, who are leading the revitalized Santa Foundation. We had our conversation in the new facility at 275 Washington St, Suite a6.
![]() |
Santa Foundation |
Thanking the community and all who helped
How Pam & Joe ended up in this role
Planning for the future underway
The recording of our conversation runs about 34 minutes. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1353-santa-foundation-revitalized-01-10-25/
--------------
Visit the Santa Foundation online at -> https://www.sfjoy.org/
Or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/SantaFoundation
--------------
We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.
This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.
How can you help?
If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors
If you don't like something here, please let me know
And if you have interest in reporting on meetings or events, please reach. We’ll share and show you what and how we do what we do
Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.
For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news/
If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com
The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana" c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.
I hope you enjoy!
------------------
You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"
Wednesday, November 27, 2024
CBS News interviews Santa Foundation (video)
"The holiday season has officially begun and communities are ready to give families in need the Christmas they deserve with the help of a Massachusetts non-profit."
Saturday, November 16, 2024
Santa Foundation Open House scheduled for Nov 23
Thursday, November 14, 2024
The Santa Foundation has shared their Top Ten wish list items for teens
Your donations can provide essential items and thoughtful gifts that show these young people they are loved and valued.
If you can contribute, please consider donating to our holiday drive by shopping our Amazon Wishlist and choosing an item flagged highest/high priority. Together, we can spread joy and hope this season!
Thank you for your support!
Monday, November 4, 2024
FHS Boys Soccer deliver soccer balls to Santa Foundation
"After today's (11/02/24) practice, @_FranklinSoccer delivered the collected soccer ball donations to the Santa Foundation.
Thank you to all that contributed and helped us provide these gifts for Franklin families in need!
@coachgoldmanPE @FHSSports
#givingbacktothecommunity https://t.co/e7V8tQsiko"
![]() |
@_FranklinSoccer delivered the collected soccer ball donations to the Santa Foundation |
Shared from -> https://x.com/FHSBoysSocBSTRs/status/1852813678577582509
Sunday, October 27, 2024
You can help the Santa Foundation by purchasing 1 (or more) of their raffle calendars
from the Santa Foundation:
"We heard you, one calendar isn’t enoughNow you can buy as many entries as you’d like for our annual calendar raffle. Buy yours now for multiple entries to win a prize everyday in November. All proceeds go to the Santa Foundation to aid families in your local community.Good luck and thank your for your support."
You can purchase online -> https://www.sfjoy.org/store-1
Thursday, December 23, 2021
Officer Andressa Rosa leads Franklin Police effort with successful toy drive
"This has turned out to be one of our most successful drives yet. With your help we were able to help over 70 Franklin children. We were left with a massive amount of toys that were dropped off to Franklin’s Santa Foundation. From there, these toys will go to families in need this holiday season. A special thanks to the Depoto family and Hillside Nurseries & Florist for letting us use their box truck to move theses toys.
This toy drive would not have been a success without the hard work and passion from Officer Andressa Rosa. Each year she continuously out does herself in her collection. There is no doubt Officer Rosa is responsible for bringing many smiles to many Franklin families this holiday season. Alongside Officer Rosa was Sergeant Eric Copeland and other Franklin officers who donated their time at our stuff a cruiser toy drive and pictures with Santa toy drive.
We can’t thank everyone who donated gifts this year enough. Whether it was in person at one of our events, at the station, or through our Amazon wishlist, it all added up. Thank you and happy holidays! "
Franklin Police toy drive 1 |
Franklin Police toy drive 2 |
Franklin Police toy drive 3 |
Shared from Franklin (MA) Police Dept. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/franklinmapolice/posts/10157976283050916
Wednesday, December 1, 2021
Franklin Police Dept. to Santa and Mrs. Claus for pictures on sat, Dec 4
Join us at the station this Saturday, December 4, 2021 from 9 AM - 12 PM and get your picture taken with Santa!
Pictures are free but we're asking for donations of new and unwrapped toys to benefit our annual toy drive and the Santa Foundation.
Shared from Twitter: https://t.co/ch8woluW72
Franklin Police Dept. to Santa and Mrs. Claus for pictures on sat, Dec 4 |
Friday, December 20, 2019
Ben Franklin caught in action (video)
"You’ve heard of the Grinch who stole Christmas, but what about the golden retriever?
On Wednesday, the Franklin Police Department’s 1-year-old therapy dog, Ben Franklin, was caught committing larceny on camera, “stealing” away toys reserved by the department for the Santa Foundation, a charity based in Franklin.
As the canine was feeling a little Grinchy, Officer Eric Cusson recorded Ben Franklin carrying a doll in a baby carrier in his mouth, his fluffy tail swaying back and forth as he zipped through the hallways of the Police Department to his hiding place."
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20191219/in-house-grinch-almost-foils-franklin-police-charity-effort
The Facebook post includes the video of Ben in action:
Saturday, November 30, 2019
Franklin Police "Fill a Cruiser" toy drive a success
"To say that today’s Fill a Cruiser Toy Drive was successful would be an MASSIVE understatement. We stopped counting after filling 8 cruisers.
To the people who saw our posts online and showed up with presents and to those who donated after shopping at Marshall’s, we can’t thank you enough! We definitely exceeded all expectations today. Our classroom is going to be out of commission for awhile!"
"Come have your photo taken with Santa and Mrs. Claus at the Franklin Police Department! Pictures are free with an unwrapped gift for our community toy drive."
Follow the event on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/events/577070339523257/
Saturday, April 27, 2019
In the News: Robert “Sully” Sullivan; Milford Regional expands; all transportation revenue options are still “on the table”
Robert “Sully” Sullivan
"For Jack Lank, president of the United Regional Chamber of Commerce in Plainville, the visual of Robert “Sully” Sullivan, in a red Santa suit and hat patrolling through Franklin in his red convertible, is a lasting memory. Sullivan used to joke that he also had the physique for it, said Lank.
Sullivan, Franklin’s beloved Santa Claus and co-founder of the Santa Foundation, died Monday at Whittier Hospital in Westborough. He was 70.
“It’s a tremendous loss to the community, and a tremendous loss for all the families that he has helped over the years,” said Lank, who worked with Sullivan on his Santa Foundation for 10 years, calling him a “town icon.”
“He was one of the kindest individuals you would ever meet, and he never said no,” said Lank.
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190426/franklin-town-icon-dies-at-70
![]() |
Santa Foundation |
Milford Regional expands in Franklin
"Things have gotten a little easier for Franklin-area residents who use services and physicians at Milford Regional Medical Center.
The Milford-based hospital opened a new building at 1280 West Central St. in Franklin earlier this month.
“Franklin is a huge, important part of our service area,” said Teri McDonald, vice president of public relations, marketing and communications at Milford Regional Medical Center. ”(The new building is) going to be a great improvement for the area.”
The location consolidates four medical practices previously scattered throughout Franklin, expands the hospital’s diagnostic imaging and laboratory services, and adds an urgent care center."
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190426/franklin-gets-centralized-milford-regional-medical-center-service
all transportation revenue options are still “on the table”
"Expanding road tolls across Massachusetts and to the state’s borders could be a way to generate new revenue to address growing transportation woes, Senate President Karen Spilka said Thursday.
In remarks at a Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce breakfast Thursday, Spilka, an Ashland Democrat, told business leaders that tolls similar to those along Interstate 90 deserve consideration for other places.
“Simply put, and I put this out there, if tolls are a good idea for my district, my region, I believe we should explore the possibility of expanded tolling, including possibly at our borders,” Spilka said. “Our best ideas won’t matter if we can’t find a way to make a 21st century transportation infrastructure a reality — and find a way to pay for it.”
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190425/spilka-more-tolled-roads-deserve-consideration
Tuesday, December 20, 2016
"a free solar system for a local nonprofit organization"
"This is the time of year when the Santa Foundation is giving presents - last Tuesday, its office was full of wrapped gifts ready for distribution to needy families in town.
That day, though, the local charity received a gift of its own: a 5.4-kilowatt solar array on the roof of its Joy Street headquarters.
The donation - made by Ashland firm SolarFlair Energy - was the result of the successful completion of the Franklin Solar Challenge campaign in 2015. The challenge, based on the state's Solarize Massachusetts program, offered increasing tiers of savings for residents who agree to put solar systems on their properties. SolarFlair administered that campaign."
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20161219/franklin-local-charity-receives-solar-system
![]() |
new solar system installed at Santa Foundation as a result of the successful Solar Challenge held in Franklin |
For the background on the Franklin Solar Challenge
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/01/franklin-solar-challenge-reached-tier-4.html
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/05/the-franklin-solar-challenge-can-help.html
Wednesday, December 23, 2015
Tri-County Donates Gifts To Y.O.U., Inc. And The Santa Foundation
The Santa Foundation provided the school with the wish lists of those in need earlier this month. Then, Tri-County’s Career Programs, post-secondary programs, clubs, faculty and staff worked together to purchase all of the items on the wish list.
Donated gifts will be given to 16 children and adolescents in The Bridge Home Latency Program and The Bridge Home Adolescent Program of Y.O.U., Inc. of Worcester. The Tri-County community also donated toys, books, clothes, and other items for an additional 15 people from four Franklin area families.
The school's Holiday Gift Drive was organized by Tri-County SkillsUSA officers Joe Brown, of Franklin, Bill Galligan, of Medway, Shaina Flanagan, of Norfolk, Olivia Ryan and Amanda Merigo, of North Attleborough, Isabella Leonardi, of Plainville, Caitlin Tavares, of Seekonk, and Kiarah Porter and Caroline Aspinwall, of Walpole. SkillsUSA advisors Jane Baldi, Mark Chauvin, Amy DePasquale, and Tara Lane helped to coordinate the drive. SkillsUSA is a national professional organization for career and technical students.
- Y.O.U., Inc. is a private, non-profit child welfare and behavioral health organization serving troubled and at-risk children, adolescents and families in Worcester County.
- The Santa Foundation was established 28 years ago by Franklin residents Bob and Elaine Sullivan. The foundation's goal is to provide gifts for families in need during the holidays. The Santa Foundation also helps families in need throughout the year.
Back Row (From left to right): Caroline
Aspinwall, Olivia Ryan, Caitlin Tavares, Shaina Flanagan, and Joe Brown; Front Row: Kiarah Porter, Isabella Leonardi,
and Bill Galligan
|
Thursday, December 10, 2015
FHS Boys Basketball - Toy Drive for the Santa Foundation - Friday, Dec. 18
The FHS boys basketball team is hosting a toy drive on Friday, Dec. 18, at their freshman, junior varsity and varsity home games. Game times are at 3:30, 5 and 6:30 p.m.
FHS Panthers
The team is asking for attendants to bring an unwrapped toy to the game, which will benefit the Santa Foundation in Franklin.
In exchange for a donated toy, each participant will receive a chance to win a $50 Visa gift card.
http://franklin.wickedlocal.com/article/20151208/NEWS/151206821
Wednesday, December 9, 2015
FHS Peer Leaders collecting through Dec 11th
![]() |
FHS Peer Leaders collecting for Dec 2015 |
Please consider making a cash or check donation to "Light up a Life"!
Light up a Life is a charity FHS Peer Leaders runs with the Santa Foundation to raise money and purchase Christmas gifts for local families in need.
Every penny counts!
FHS Peer Leaders are collecting from students until this Friday, Dec 11th.
This one last push will help FHS Peer Leaders to reach their total goal!
Checks payable to Town of Franklin.
Thank you!"
Tuesday, December 1, 2015
A gift that gives all winter long #GivingTuesday
![]() |
| ![]() |
![]() |
| ![]() |
|