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 

Franklin Police Dept. to Santa and Mrs. Claus for pictures on sat, Dec 4

*** SANTA IS COMING TO TOWN ***

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

The Franklin Police Station is located at 911 Panther Way in Franklin.

Ben Franklin caught in action (video)

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"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:

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/

In the News: Robert “Sully” Sullivan; Milford Regional expands; all transportation revenue options are still “on the table”

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

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

"a free solar system for a local nonprofit organization"

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"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

Tri-County Donates Gifts To Y.O.U., Inc. And The Santa Foundation

Students, faculty, and administrators at Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School presented donated gifts to representatives from Y.O.U., Inc. and the Santa Foundation on Monday, December 21.

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

FHS Boys Basketball - Toy Drive for the Santa Foundation - Friday, Dec. 18

FHS Panthers

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. 

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

FHS Peer Leaders collecting through Dec 11th

FHS Peer Leaders collecting for Dec 2015

"Attention FHS Parents!

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!"

A gift that gives all winter long #GivingTuesday

There are a number of very worthy causes based in Franklin to contribute to for #GivingTuesday.

In addition to HMEA, the Santa Foundation, the Franklin Food Pantry, and the Neighbor Brigade are just a few of the non-profits that come to mind. If you can contribute on #GivingTuesday, please consider helping one or more of them!

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Join the movement & give back Give the gift of expressive arts this winter by supporting #artforhmea this #GivingTuesday ~ December 1st, 2015 HMEA has joined forces with #GivingTuesday to capture the generous giving spirit during the holiday season. #GivingTuesday, which takes place the first Tuesday of December, is an international movement that inspires people to take collaborative action to improve their communities, give back in better, smarter ways to the charities and causes they support. And, this year, HMEA is asking you to help raise money to fund its art therapy programs throughout the cold winter months ahead.  Arts and Crafts are a significant part of the activities we do in our Day Programs here at HMEA. Beyond the obvious enjoyment, art therapy helps facilitate personal expression, improves social skills (building "social confidence"), enhances self-esteem, and fosters cognitive development.  We are asking for your help to fund  #artforhmea  for people to enjoy the benefits of art therapy all winter long - donate $10, $25, $50, or more today  to support HMEA's art therapy program this holiday season.  Just $25 would give one person the enjoyment of doing arts and crafts until Spring. This holiday season, whether you chose to Give Joy, Give Hope, Give Love, Give Time, Give Food, Give Thanks, or give to #artforhmea, we ask that you simply GIVE this holiday season. Thanks, Heather Cutler Day Program Supervisor Millbury Center [DONATE NOW] *WMRC First Class Radio has partnered with HMEA as media sponsor for this initiative and has offered to match funds raised for #artforhmea with an in-kind advertising donation of up to $2,000 to be used for future events benefiting individuals supported by HMEA. HMEA, INC. | 8 FORGE PARK, FRANKLIN MA 02038 | 508-298-1100

Forward this email HMEA | 8 Forge Park East | Franklin | MA | 02038

Jingle Bell Run to benefit the Santa Foundation

Norfolk Community League Hosts Jingle Bell Run, a 5K run and walk to benefit the Santa Foundation

On Saturday, December 5th, the Norfolk Community League welcomes runners and walkers to the H. Olive Day School (232 Main Street, Norfolk) for the annual Jingle Bell Run, a 5K run and walk to benefit The Santa Foundation.

The Santa Foundation is a Franklin area 501c3 charity who is helping 700 families have a happier holiday season with gifts and giftcards. For more information about the Santa Foundation, visit TheSantaFoundationInc.org.

screen grab of  Jingle Bell Run for Santa Foundation

The Jingle Bell Run race day registration and number pickup begins at 9:30 a.m., and fees to register increase on December 1. To register now, visit jinglebellrun5k.racewire.com. All proceeds benefit the Santa Foundation.

To register by mail, to volunteer, or any other questions, please email Tanja McGuckian at mt_mcguckian@verizon.net.

Charter School helps the Santa Foundation

From the BFCCPS webpage we find that they were quite successful in helping the Santa Foundation this year:

With your help, we’ve been able to make the holidays a little brighter for seventeen families this year. In total, twenty four huge bags which were all chock-filled with gifts were delivered to the Santa Foundation this morning.

collection for the Santa Foundation

For additional info and photos on the collection by the Charter School. you can visit their page here!
http://bfccps.org/a-santa-foundation-update-thank-you/

Help Others To Have A Merry Little Christmas

Help others to have a Merry Little Christmas Please grab a tag from around the Team Fitness club doors or on the tree and buy a gift for the child: example: Elaine-5yo-baby doll. Please place gifts under or around our tree. All gifts due by December 18th so we can get the gifts to the Santa Foundation on the 19th. Thank you again for helping the local families of Franklin. Purchase a gift card for $99.00 Get a gift card with $120 value. November 21 - December 24, 2014 Holiday 2014 Gift Card Special Team Fitness and CrossFit Franklin Limit 2 cards per person Cannot be used for membership dues. (Exception: a gift card may be purchased and given to a non-member to be used toward a NEW membership. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other special, sale or promotion. Gift cards can be used for all other services in Club: Personal Training, Small Group Training, CFour, Retail items, Smoothies and smoothie cards, Progenex, Kill Cliff, Fuel for Fire, Advocare.

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