Franklin's Neighbor Brigade is closing down its operation

Dear Franklin Community,

We are sharing a difficult, but necessary message regarding Neighbor Brigade.

You probably do not know, but our organization has faced challenging headwinds for the past few years. Tough economic times have made fundraising increasingly harder, while new solutions empowered by technology, such as convenient and affordable meal delivery, ride-sharing, and telemedicine, have reduced the overall demand for our services. 

Franklin's Neighbor Brigade is closing down

Consequently, after more than 14 years of dedicated service to thousands of neighbors, families, and communities in sudden crisis across New England and beyond, Neighbor Brigade will be winding down its services by the end of the year.

Franklin has been privileged as a chapter in doing this special and meaningful work over the past 12 years by the chapter volunteers. People who once were strangers became our neighbors. Often we do not know when a neighbor is going through a challenge, and we have been happy to serve 12 years, caring and loving individuals and families get to the other side of their crisis. 

The holidays are coming ever so quickly and we can assure you, there are many people who live around you that are in need of a little help from the one who lives next door. We know it as we close out 2024 supporting and directing many needs. Our volunteers in the Franklin Neighbor Brigade can attest to feeling like they received more in helping than they ever could have imagined.

May it live on with the seed that has been planted, and the footsteps made, of help being next door for all❤️

With gratitude, 

Linda Gagnon and Cheryl Ferri, 

Franklin Neighbor Brigade chapter leaders 

Franklinma@neighborbrigade.org

Franklin's Neighbor Brigade: We Need Your Support!

Help Your Neighbors In Need...

Dear Friends, We need your support. The recent increases in costs for basic needs have directly impacted our chapter communities. Your annual gift enables us to provide essential services, resources, and care for our clients. We cannot do this important work without you. Thank you. Mark Murphy, Director of Development Will you help our clients in need? Give Now   Volunteer Join our team of 3,000+ caring volunteers and help your neighbors in crisis today.  Volunteer     Request Help If you are in need of our services and live in one of our 24 Chapter towns please apply online or call (855) 241-HELP Request Help     Neighbor Brigade P.O. Box 735 Maynard, MA 01754  855-241-HELP(4357)   Follow us on social media...

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Franklin's Neighbor Brigade can use your help with this clothing request - complete by April 28

From the Franklin Chapter of the Neighbor Brigade:

Project Just Because is asking for our help again this year with clothing.  They specifically have a high need for toddler boys-teenage and men's clothing of all sorts. Any other clothing is needed too.  They accept new and used clothing in excellent condition. They cannot except anything with rips, stains, broken zippers, any item with names inside the label, anything without a size listed, anything smelling musty, or anything with animal fur.  Items that must be new are pajamas, undergarments, bathing suits, hats, socks, and shoes.

Project Just Because manages numerous year-long and seasonal programs that are offered to all Massachusetts residents in need. They are committed to help in the most vulnerable, individuals and families. Their goal is to provide every person that walks in the door with what they need. Project Just Because gives an experience that is conducted with compassion and dignity, and that is respectful of culture and diversity.  They also have dramatically expanded their program offerings and are serving more clients than ever.

Donations are being asked to be collected and dropped off on the front porch of Linda Gagnon by the April 28th.  Once you sign up you will see Linda's address under your scheduled event.

Thank you!

Linda Gagnon and Cheryl Ferri
Franklin MA Neighbor Brigade Chapter Co-Leaders
FranklinMA@neighborbrigade.org
www.neighborbrigade.org

A Thanksgiving Thank You via the Neighbor Brigade

While this comes from the Neighbor Brigade home office, you can reach the Franklin group via this link ->  https://app.betterimpact.com/PublicOrganization/d344e590-7541-488a-8594-34b5f451db96/1

Your support makes a difference in a neighbor's tomorrow During a season where we celebrate thanks and gratitude, we wanted to take the opportunity to thank you. We are grateful to all of the staff, supporters, volunteers, and donors that support Neighbor Brigade and our mission to help our community neighbors in times of crisis. You are the lifeblood of our organization. We thank you and rely on your continued generosity for all we've done and continue to do. Warmest wishes from all of us, to all of you, for a healthy and happy holiday season. Volunteer Join our team of 3,000+ caring volunteers and help your neighbors in crisis today. Volunteer Request Help If you are need of our services and live in one of our 31 Chapter towns please apply online or call (855)241-HELP Request Help Neighbor Brigade P.O. Box 735 Maynard, MA 01754  855-241-HELP(4357) DONATE Follow us on Social Media!

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Neighbor Brigade: Save the Date for our 10 Year Celebration!

Neighbor Brigade has been a part of the Franklin community since 2012! We are grateful to work along side many of the great resources in Franklin in helping our neighbors. 

To sponsor, make an auction donation or learn more about Neighbor Brigade in its 10th year, you can go to www.neighborbrigade.org or email the Franklin chapter- Franklinma@neighborbrigade.org.

Thank you,

Cheryl Ferri and Linda Gagnon,

Franklin chapter co-leaders

We'd love to see you

We're looking for great auction items and sponsorships, email us for details!

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Franklin Neighbor Brigade Update

In these times of uncertainty we know one thing clearly, that love never has to be rationed or quarantined.  The truth is, we all need each other more than ever right now. We need each other in so many ways, both big and small. We need to rely and lean on one another and to be compassionate, understanding, and patient with one another. We need to focus on being there for one another in the best and safest way we can.

Please read on to see how you can help whether it be from your home or in the community.

Challenge for all Volunteers

Here is a FUN family project. Who's up for a Letter Writing Challenge! All you have to do is wash your hands and put your love on.  If we can't thank, visit a sick person or give gratitude in person, we can do it in a personal note. The list is endless on who you can send a note to.  Here are some ideas of people/neighbors we can offer hope, kindness and a smile to: 

• a neighbor you have not seen or you know can use a positive note
• those who are bereaved or supporting the bereaved
• those who are anxious or feeling afraid
• people alone and isolated
• those working at risk jobs and essential workers
• a teacher
• the local food pantry
• a medical professional
• our fire and police

The challenge is to send two notes within two days to the people of your choice. One could be to say hello/thinking of you and another could be a thank-you/gratitude note.  We have 173 active volunteers.  Let's see if we can get at least half of our volunteers to participate.  If you accept the challenge please let us know by signing-up through the volunteer system.  Happy Writing!   

Important NEW Volunteer Requirements due to COVID-19

While we wait for our services to be called upon from location organizations such as senior center, food pantry, police, fire, and of course our neighbors in need please make sure you have met the NEW volunteer requirements.  They include reading the NB Handbook, Food Handler Training, COVID-19 Preparedness, and have a current CORI check on file. You can check to see if you met this criteria by logging into your account and clicking on Profile on the top right heading and selecting Qualifications.  It should look like the highlighted areas below.  If it doesn't then you will need to complete those tasks by clicking on the information button circled in red and following the instructions.  If you have any questions or need help accessing your account please feel free to reach out.

Franklin Neighbor Brigade Update

Community Opportunities

YMCA -  Growing demand for families in need of food is happening. Drop off box at YMCA is outside from 9am-6pm daily. Recommended following food items: oatmeal cups/packets, macaroni & cheese boxes/cups, granola bars (nut free whole grain preferred), applesauce or mandarin orange cups (no added sugar), whole grain crackers, tuna pouches in water (low sodium), Progresso chicken soup (low sodium), rice boxes/cups, Barilla Ready Pasta and pasta boxes.

Franklin Food Pantry needed wish list items can be ordered on Amazon using the following link  https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2SIL7UR08ZZUC?ref_=wl_share

Tri Valley Meals on Wheels is in need of temporary volunteers to drive meals to residents in Franklin, Medway and Bellingham.  They have a volunteer sign up time from 11:00-12:30 Monday-Friday at the Grace Baptist church on Beaver street. You will need to bring your license and front page of your car insurance with line 5 highlighted. Any questions, call Gail Hamilton 508-520-1422.

Stay home when you can, find joy in the small moments and spread kindness when it's needed greatly!

Linda Gagnon and Cheryl Ferri
Franklin MA Neighbor Brigade Chapter Co-Leaders
FranklinMA@neighborbrigade.org
www.neighborbrigade.org

Volunteer Login: http://volunteer.neighborbrigade.org

Did you know that Franklin's Neighbor Brigade has a Facebook page?

Franklin's Neighbor Brigade has a Facebook page. The group has been providing a valuable service for the Franklin community since 2012. It helps those in need with a volunteer network that springs to action for each need.

What do they do?

"Welcome to the Franklin chapter of Neighbor Brigade! Our chapter was formed in April 2012. Whether you are seeking assistance or looking to provide help to another, you’ve come to the right place.

Our volunteer chapter leaders donate time to coordinate the needs of families in crisis with the volunteers who want to help. Read on to learn more about their passion for Neighbor Brigade, and help us spread the word! We are always looking to expand our presence here in Franklin among volunteers and potential recipients alike.

Neighbor Brigade establishes community-specific networks of volunteers that can be mobilized to help residents facing sudden crisis manage day-to-day tasks such as meal preparation, rides, and basic household chores.

Our chapter is just one of 29 chapters helping their neighbors in crisis! To learn more about us and our other chapters, please visit our home page."

The Franklin's Neighbor Brigade web page
https://app.betterimpact.com/PublicOrganization/d344e590-7541-488a-8594-34b5f451db96/1

The Franklin's Neighbor Brigade Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/pg/FranklinNeighborBrigade/

Did you know that Franklin's Neighbor Brigade has a Facebook page?

Franklin's Neighbor Brigade is ready to help!

"Welcome to the Franklin chapter of Neighbor Brigade! Our chapter was formed in April 2012. Whether you are seeking assistance or looking to provide help to another, you’ve come to the right place. Our volunteer chapter leaders donate time to coordinate the needs of families in crisis with the volunteers who want to help. Read on to learn more about their passion for Neighbor Brigade, and help us spread the word! We are always looking to expand our presence here in Franklin among volunteers and potential recipients alike. 

Neighbor Brigade establishes community-specific networks of volunteers that can be mobilized to help residents facing sudden crisis manage day-to-day tasks such as meal preparation, rides, and basic household chores. Our chapter is just one of 29 chapters helping their neighbors in crisis! To learn more about us and our other chapters, please visit our home page here."

Franklin Neighbor Brigade

"If you, your family or someone you know is experiencing a temporary crisis due to an illness, surgery, cancer, accident, fire, death or other life event, our network of volunteers may be able to provide temporary, non-monetary assistance with some of your day-to-day needs. 

Some of the services volunteers have provided in the past include meal deliver, dog walks, rides to doctor's appointments, help with errands, friendly visits, and light household needs. 

To request services, fill out our Client Application or call 1-855-241-4357. Neighbor Brigade should contact you within 24 hours."

Request services: http://bttr.im/klacf

Volunteer: http://bttr.im/g1jar

Franklin's Neighbor Brigade is ready to help!

Visit the Franklin Neighbor Brigade
https://app.betterimpact.com/PublicOrganization/d344e590-7541-488a-8594-34b5f451db96/1