FTC Consumer Alert: Operation Donate with Honor continues

Operation Donate with Honor continues by Rosario Méndez Attorney, Division of Consumer and Business Education, FTC Last year, the FTC and state charity regulators joined in Operation Donate with Honor to stop sham veterans charities from lying to donors.  Today the FTC is announcing that it shut down two more operations that collected donations with false promises of helping veterans and military service members. Read more online https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2019/03/operation-donate-honor-continues?utm_source=govdelivery This is a free service provided by the Federal Trade Commission.

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Franklin Ford Donates Car to Tri-County’s Auto Technology Career Program

Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School is pleased to announce that Franklin Ford has generously donated a Ford Edge SUV to the Tri-County Automotive Technology program to assist with advanced curriculum.

With a shortage in qualified technicians, service departments around the country have been scrambling to find new talent. Ford Motor Company recognized the labor shortage in the industry and decided to do something about it. Last September, Ford started the TechDrive Program throughout the United States. Each Ford Regional Talent Placement Specialist was challenged with building partnerships with their region’s Ford Dealerships that have an automotive technician shortage and connecting them with local technical high schools.

Tri-County has been chosen as one of the Technical High Schools to take part in the TechDrive Program. Franklin Ford has agreed to sponsor Tri-County, with the expectation that the partnership will fulfill their technician hiring needs. As part of the TechDrive Program, Ford has furnished Training Modules to Tri-County students.

“With the automotive technician shortage, we’ve had to create innovative ways to find, hire, train and keep service techs,” said Frank LaMonica, Fixed Operations Manager at Franklin Ford. “We are pleased to have partnered with Tri-County in the TechDrive Program. We hope the Tri-County students will enjoy working on the car in order to prepare them for future career opportunities. Here at Franklin Ford, many of our automotive technicians are graduates of Tri-County. We look forward to hiring more in the future.”

“Our goal is to build the relationship between Education & Industry, and for Ford Dealers to have a pipeline of quality automotive technicians,” said Michael Nixon, Regional Technical Talent Placement Specialist at Ford Motor Company. “With 15 dealerships within my region, finding new ways to hire qualified service technicians has been a challenge. Hopefully, the TechDrive Program will help our dealerships to fill that shortage in technicians.”

“Our students in the Auto Technology program can’t wait to reverse engineer this vehicle,” said Superintendent Stephen Dockray. “We are thankful and honored to have been given the Ford Edge and are looking forward to our students gaining the knowledge and critical thinking skills required to meet the growing demands in the automotive industry.”

Franklin Ford Donates Car to Tri-County’s Auto Technology Career Program

Tri-County RVTHS, located at 147 Pond Street in Franklin, is a recipient of the High Schools That Work Gold Achievement Award and serves the communities of Franklin, Medfield, Medway, Millis, Norfolk, North Attleboro, Plainville, Seekonk, Sherborn, Walpole, and Wrentham.

Best Buddies: There’s still time to make twice the difference

Franklin is fortunate to have an active Best Buddies group in the schools, The first community to have a Best Buddies program that covers elementary, middle and high school. As the year comes to a close, if you are looking to make a charitable contribution for tax purposes, this is one organization to consider.

On my personal blog, I have a listing of other worthy non-profit organizations that I support  http://steves2cents.blogspot.com/2018/12/yes-it-is-birthday-time.html

Every time you support Best Buddies, you are helping make the world a more inclusive place for people with IDD and there is no better time to support Best Buddies than today. Until December 31st, every dollar will be matched, up to $200,000! It is because of people like YOU that our participants are able to become leaders and advocates for themselves in their communities.

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Stronger leaders and advocates, thanks to YOU. Dear Best Buddies Family, People with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) are often marginalized from society, and it is through our programs that they often times find their voice.  Every time you support Best Buddies, you are helping make the world a more inclusive place for people with IDD and there is no better time to support Best Buddies than today. Until December 31st, every dollar will be matched, up to $200,000! GIVE NOW It is because of people like YOU that our participants are able to become leaders and advocates for themselves in their communities. People like YOU have changed the lives of our participants, like Christina Hundley, one of our Global Ambassadors from Florida, who is now living her dream and advocating for herself and others within the IDD community. Christina Hundley was born at Tampa General Hospital in 1983 and was raised by her aunt BJ in Florida after her parents dropped her off at her grandmother's house and never came back. Christina Hundley, Best Buddies Global Ambassador For Christina, life before finding Best Buddies was challenging.  "I was teased until I found Best Buddies in middle school. My bond with my middle school buddy helped me because I felt protected from everyone's teasing and her friendship gave me something to look forward to every day." – Christina Hundley, Best Buddies Global Ambassador Not only did Best Buddies give her a friendship, but it also placed Christina in a job she loves.  Through Best Buddies and her role as a Global Ambassador, Christina also gets the opportunity to share her love and passion for music. She is invited again and again to perform at national Best Buddies events, something she says has given her the chance to "share her talent with the world." Her story is one about success and what it means to pursue your dreams, and I hope it inspires you as much as it inspires us. We couldn't make stories like Christina's a reality each and every day without your support.  From the bottom of our hearts, Thank YOU.

Best Buddies International is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) rganization ddicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). bestbuddies.org/holidaygiving https://www.bestbuddies.org/holidaygiving/?engageddonorid=58586aa6-7fd1-4b6a-b562-06be622dc808

Best Buddies International 100 SE 2nd Street, Suite 2200 Miami, FL 33131 Phone: (305) 374-2233

Mass Poetry: Poetry for a New Year

View this email in your browser Dear Friend of Mass Poetry – New Year's Resolutions come in many stripes; here at Mass Poetry we're resolved to double our reach in 2019. But to do that, we need your help. In 2018, we put poetry in front of more New Englanders than ever before: ·      With our "Poetry on the T" program, tens of thousands of Bostonians encountered a poem on their commute, while riding the T; ·      More than 4,000 middle school and high school students across the state of Massachusetts participated in one of our "Student Day of Poetry" events – for many of those students it was their first encounter with poetry; ·      "Raining Poetry" (if you haven't watched the video – more than 24 million views! – watch it now) surprised people all over the Boston metro area by revealing poetry on the sidewalk – but only when it rains; https://www.facebook.com/NewYorkMag/videos/10154210845129826/ ·      Thousands of people from across New England attended our Poetry Festival this past year in Salem; ·      Hundreds of classrooms and book groups used our Common Threads poetry guide to celebrate National Poetry Month; ·      Our Spring Showers poetry installation at the Prudential Center in Boston brought poetry to a whole new audience. But our aspirations for 2019 are even greater. Why? Because words matter. In our increasingly connected-but-distant world, poetry captures a kind of magic that makes the moment sing. Bringing poetry to all kinds of communities around Massachusetts is the purpose of Mass Poetry – and your contribution, no matter how modest, makes a difference. With your help, we can double our reach in 2019. Please give today. Thank you for everything you do for poetry – Nicco Mele P.S. Please give – every dollar counts If you love the work we do to support poets and spread the power of poetry to students, T riders, and more, please consider supporting us with a recurring monthly donation. Donate Now Copyright © *2017* *Mass Poetry*, All rights reserved.

“Preserving and protecting land comes at a cost"

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

The Metacomet Land Trust raised more than $30,000 in donations and grants to reach its 30th anniversary fundraising goal in 2018. 

“We are pleased to be celebrating our 30 year milestone as a regional land trust serving 15 communities,” said the organization’s president, Lisa Mosczynski. “We started out 30 years ago with three towns and as more communities saw the need to partner with a land trust to preserve and protect their valuable open space we have expanded to help them. 

Today we own 473 acres of conservation land and hold conservation restrictions that restrict development on an additional 343 acres. Among other partners, the trust works with individual owners, municipalities and the Commonwealth to preserve critical open space in the region.” 

In 2018 the trust finalized the acquisition of another 32 acres through landowner donations in Mendon, Sutton and Upton.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://franklin.wickedlocal.com/news/20181221/metacomet-land-trust-meets-30th-anniversary-fundraising-goal

Read more about the Land Trust on their page
https://metacometlandtrust.org/

Donate to the cause for 2018  (scroll to the bottom of their home page to find the Donate button)

“Preserving and protecting land comes at a cost"

Christmas on the Common - Nov 25

With Halloween behind us, Christmas rapidly approaching, the tree lights will be turned on at the Town Common on Sunday, Nov 25 at 4:00 PM.

Santa Claus will be delivered via the Franklin Fire Dept. There will be music and refreshments and "Jingles, the Elf".

To help decorate the Town Common, donations are welcome by sending to

Concerts on the Common
PO Box 92
Franklin, MA  02038

Christmas on the Common - Nov 25

This was shared from the Town of Franklin page
http://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/christmas-common-community-event

Reminder: 8th Annual Friends of the Poor Walk - Sep 29

The St. Mary’s St. Vincent de Paul will be holding its 8th Annual Friends of the Poor Walk. The Walk, 1 ½ or 3 miles, is our only fund raiser. SVdP members offer help to all Franklin residents in their time of need. Your support enables us to provide this assistance. Last year we were able to help 186 families.

Registration will begin between 8:30 AM and 11:00 AM in the Benjamin Franklin Charter School parking lot on Pleasant Street and then the walk will begin there at 9:00 AM rain or shine. 

Please walk with us in fellowship and contribute to our drive with generosity. To make this Walk better than ever, go to www.fopwalk.org where you can either join the Walk or make a donation.

Join together, with family and friends

to make our Walk better than ever!

8th Annual Friends of the Poor Walk
Sponsored by St. Mary’s St. Vincent de Paul Society
September 29, 2018
8:30 AM  - 11:00 AM

8th Annual Friends of the Poor Walk - Sep 29

8th Annual Friends of the Poor Walk - Sep 29

In just two short weeks, the St. Mary’s St. Vincent de Paul will be holding its 8th Annual Friends of the Poor Walk. The Walk, 1 ½ or 3 miles, is our only fund raiser. SVdP members offer help to all Franklin residents in their time of need. Your support enables us to provide this assistance. Last year we were able to help 186 families.

Registration will begin between 8:30 AM and 11:00 AM in the Benjamin Franklin Charter School parking lot on Pleasant Street and then the walk will begin there at 9:00 AM rain or shine. 

Please walk with us in fellowship and contribute to our drive with generosity. To make this Walk better than ever, go to www.fopwalk.org where you can either join the Walk or make a donation.

Join together, with family and friends

to make our Walk better than ever!

8th Annual Friends of the Poor Walk
Sponsored by St. Mary’s St. Vincent de Paul Society
September 29, 2018
8:30 AM  - 11:00 AM

8th Annual Friends of the Poor Walk - Sep 29

Franklin 4th of July schedule for Wednesday, July 4 (closes down at 5:00 PM)

The schedule for the Franklin 4th of July celebration for Wednesday, July 4

• 12-5 PM: Rides and food booths open (WRIST BANDS FROM 12-5PM - $30)
• 12-2 PM: Tyler Zajac (a singer-songwriter of rock, blues, funk, jazz and reggae)  
• 2-4 PM: Emma Newton (a harpist, pianist, and singer-songwriter)


Food Booths:
Democratic Party — Pizza and water
Knights of Columbus — Hot dogs, hamburgers, chips and Gatorade
Republican Party — Corn dogs, nachos and root beer floats
Rod and Gun Club — Fried dough and French fries
Temple Etz Chaim — Soft pretzels, fresh squeezed lemonade and a raffle board
4th of July Coalition — Soda, seltzer water and ice cream


View the full schedule or download a copy (PDF) here
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ruYRILk6bmkiq32hDsndMPOiQSA6vJbL/view?usp=sharing

Visit the 4th of July website for updates  https://www.franklin4th.com/
Consider contributing to the nonprofit volunteer based organization that does all the work to put this event together. There is a donation button on the webpage.

ticket booth for the amusement rides

automobile amusement ride

Franklin 4th of July schedule for Tuesday, July 3 (Fireworks!)

The schedule for the Franklin 4th of July celebration for Tuesday, July 3

• 6-10 PM: Rides and food booths open
• 6:30-9:30 PM: Victory Shot Band (a premier local band playing six decades of rock)

• 9:30 PM: FIREWORKS / Franklin High School

Victory Shot Band (a premier local band playing six decades of rock)

Food Booths:
Democratic Party — Pizza and water
Knights of Columbus — Hot dogs, hamburgers, chips and Gatorade
Republican Party — Corn dogs, nachos and root beer floats
Rod and Gun Club — Fried dough and French fries
Temple Etz Chaim — Soft pretzels, fresh squeezed lemonade and a raffle board
4th of July Coalition — Soda, seltzer water and ice cream


View the full schedule or download a copy (PDF) here
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ruYRILk6bmkiq32hDsndMPOiQSA6vJbL/view?usp=sharing


Visit the 4th of July website for updates  https://www.franklin4th.com/

Consider contributing to the nonprofit volunteer based organization that does all the work to put this event together. There is a donation button on the webpage.

Major donors to the celebration:

Platinum sponsors

Gold sponsors

Silver sponsors

Franklin Food Pantry: Wow!

December 2017    Thank you!    Dear Friends, "Wow" is the word that comes to mind when I look back at the last few weeks of our busiest time of year. I am touched by a community that has such tremendous capacity to think of, and do for, others. The spirit of giving throughout the season was embraced by all ages. Davis Thayer students once again embarked on their trek through town to deliver goods to the Pantry. In the month of November alone, community groups held 30 food and fund drives bringing in 10,000 pounds of food! The Franklin Food Elves Campaign was the most successful drive in its 12-year history, giving us the means to purchase fresh food to supplement the product donations. The Franklin Turkey Trot broke all records with nearly 1,000 people coming out to support the Pantry.  On the receiving end of this generosity are 1,000 individuals, including nearly 300 children, who will be less hungry because of your gifts. They will have enough nutritious food to enjoy the holidays without the distraction of hunger. They will have access to food and personal care essentials throughout the winter because of your support in recent weeks. This week, when we finished our ham dinner distribution to more than 200 families, I felt a huge sense of pride in being part of such a giving community. A group of supporters, donors and volunteers, who made it possible for our clients to enjoy the comfort of a holiday meal with their loved ones. A compassionate community that continues to help us fight hunger. I cannot thank all of you enough. May you have an especially wonderful holiday season full of as much joy as you have brought to so many others. Erin  End-of-Year Giving Remember that the need continues long after the holidays are over. There's still time to make a donation before the end of the year. You can make a monetary gift online here; or mail a check payable to the Franklin Food Pantry to P.O. Box 116, Franklin, MA 02038. Mail that is postmarked by December 31 is tax-deductible for 2017. Thank you for your support! Additional leadership gift and corporate sponsor opportunities available, for details please email Erin Lynch erin@franklinfoodpantry.org Franklin Food Pantry       www.franklinfoodpantry.org  Our facility is generously donated by Rockland Trust. We are located at 43 West Central Street, Franklin MA, on Route 140 in the Rockland Trust parking lot,  across the street from the fire station.

Franklin Food Pantry, 43 West Central Street, PO Box 116, Franklin, MA 02038 Sent by erin@franklinfoodpantry.org in collaboration with Try it free today