Santa Foundation: Transparency, Gratitude & Our 2026 Gala Plans

Dear Friends and Supporters, Like all nonprofits, raising funds is essential to sustaining our work—but just as important, is maintaining the trust of our community. We are proud to share that Santa F Dear Friends and Supporters, Like all nonprofits, raising funds is essential to sustaining our work—but just as important, is maintaining the trust of our community. We are proud to share that Santa Foundation has earned Platinum Transparency on Candid, reflecting our commitment to openness and accountability in everything we do. Candid is a nonprofit organization that collects and provides trusted data and insights about nonprofits. It helps donors understand organizations’ missions, finances, and impact so they can make more informed giving decisions. You can view our profile here: https://app.candid.org/profile/7055151/santa-foundation-inc-20-5564341/?pkId=a67f3638-081e-4144-9701-6ed780943c50&activeTab=4 We hope this recognition strengthens confidence in our mission and helps open doors to new donations, grants, and fundraising opportunities. Looking ahead, we’re excited to share that our Annual Gala is scheduled for October 2, 2026 — our largest fundraising event of the year. Planning is already underway, and we are currently seeking support for raffle and live auction donations. If you, your business, or someone you know may be able to contribute an item, experience, or service, we would truly appreciate hearing from you. Some examples include: ~$150 items Themed gift baskets (coffee, self-care, local favorites) Family activity packages (mini golf, bowling, arcade) Local restaurant or business gift certificates $400–$500 items Photography sessions Spa or wellness packages Concert, theater, or sports tickets $2,000+ experiences Weekend getaway or Airbnb (on or off season) Private chef or curated dining experience NYC/Boston show, dinner, hotel package Many of our most successful auction items come from community connections and simple acts of generosity—often sparked by someone asking, “How can I help?” If you would like to donate, sponsor, or talk through ideas, please reply to this email. Every contribution, large or small, directly supports Santa Foundation programs and the families we serve. Thank you for your continued support and for being such an important part of our community. We look forward to connecting with you and hope to see you at our upcoming events. With gratitude, Santa Foundation 275 Washington St, Franklin MA, USA Powered by Squarespace

Platinum Transparency Award for the Franklin Food Pantry

Platinum Transparency Award for the Franklin Food Pantry

Via Franklin Food Pantry

"We’ve earned the highest level of recognition from Candid!

Transparency and accountability aren't just a buzzwords for us—they're a promise.

We strive to be open and welcoming in everything we do, so you can feel 100% confident when you invest your time, talents, or donations in our mission."

Shared from - 

https://www.facebook.com/share/1DPN6F5T17/

For more about Candid's view of The Pantry   https://app.candid.org/profile/6838299/franklin-food-pantry-incorporated-04-3272663

State Rep Jeff Roy looks back on 2024 and ahead to 2025 (audio)

FM #1373 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1373 in the series. 

This session shares my conversation with State Representative Jeff Roy. We had our discussion in person at the Franklin TV & Radio Studio on Monday, February 3, 2025. 

We cover 

• The recent Legislative session #193 of the General Court

• Legislation filed for #194

• Entertainment fee to offset cable cord cutting for local PEG channels 

• Transparency and the Globe articles 

• Changes at the Federal level can have impact to us

The recording runs about 49 minutes, so let’s listen in. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1373-state-rep-jeff-roy-02-03-25/

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Jeff’s Representative profile page at MA Legislature =  https://malegislature.gov/Legislators/Profile/JNR1  

Jeff Roy’s Twitter =  https://twitter.com/jeffroy  

Representative Roy’s Facebook page =  https://www.facebook.com/RepJeffRoy/  

Subscribe to Jeff’s newsletter -> https://jeffreyroy.com/newsletter/

BU Student generate project archive with the info on the development of the major MA climate legislation passed in 2022 by Gov Baker -> "Chapter 179, An Act Driving Clean Energy and Offshore Wind"

https://sites.bu.edu/masslaw/2023/02/10/chapter-179-an-act-driving-clean-energy-and-offshore-wind/ 

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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!

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You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters

State Representative Jeff Roy shares his thoughts on lifelong learning, meaningful challenges, information transparency, and more (audio)

FM #858 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 858 in the series. 

Thanks to State Representative Jeff Roy for making some time in his schedule to join me for a virtual conversation about what’s happening in the state government and his campaign for re-election in November 2022.  Jeff represents the 10th Norfolk District and has served as the Chairperson of the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities & Energy in this current term.

A quick overview of Jeff 

Development of political career, School Committee, Town Council, then State Rep

Newsletter, office hours

Video from House floor – periodic, topical

More Perfect Union – broad topics on regular schedule 

Frank Presents – recent overview  

Making Sense of Climate – 2 episodes, likely more on the roadmap to 2050

Presidential library tours shared at Franklin Historical Museum 

PanMass ride, Ben Gardner’s Boat

SAFE Coalition, Franklin Food Pantry and other local nonprofits 

This listing may have left something out, but it leads me to two observations:

• Lifelong learner 

• Looking for meaningful challenges

Can you develop your thoughts on those?

Can you explore:

• How you juggle home/family life with public work

• Opportunities for improvements in transparency of State House deliberations, information

The audio segment runs about 50 minutes, so listen in to my conversation with State Representative Jeff Roy.

Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-858-ma-state-representative-jeff-roy-10-04-22

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Jeff Roy’s campaign page  https://jeffreyroy.com/ 

Jeff Roy’s Twitter =  https://twitter.com/jeffroy 

Representative Roy’s Facebook page =  https://www.facebook.com/RepJeffRoy/ 

Jeff’s Representative profile page at MA Legislature =  https://malegislature.gov/Legislators/Profile/JNR1 

Newsletter - subscribe here -> https://jeffreyroy.us6.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=a03272e278ec395d5f164106a&id=43d5611856 

Video advocating passage of the climate act -> https://youtu.be/PB-CRp7ooCg 

More Perfect Union – broad topics on regular schedule ->  https://more-perfect-union.captivate.fm/ 

Frank Presents – recent overview   -> https://youtu.be/E5RjWxDg1lU 

—----------

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm). 

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

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"

State Rep. Roy attends White House Ceremony

Representative Roy responds to Mass Fiscal transparency claim

State Representative Jeff Roy responded to the Mass Fiscal Alliance claims as published in the CommonWealth Magazine and Franklin Observer. 

We had shared the article on Wednesday (link ->   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/07/beacon-hill-roundup-agreement-reach-on.html) including a disclaimer for readers to be aware of the dark money funding Mass Fiscal Alliance. A similar disclaimer had not accompanied the CommonWealth article nor the similar item also posted to the Franklin Observer.

Hence Representative Roy's response:

"You undermine your credibility when you run hit pieces like the one this morning featuring Mass Fiscal. As you are well aware, Mass Fiscal is nothing but a right wing extremist group that refuses to disclose its donors, lacking the very transparency it complains about.

If you had carefully reviewed the facts, you would have learned that the climate bill took one of the most transparent paths to passage over the past 14 months. I am happy to share the real story with you at any time. In summary, it began last April with a series of meetings with stakeholders, culminated in a 120 report in the fall of 2021 which was provided to you (and not shared with your readers I might add), and resulted in a bill that followed the recommendations in the report which was released by the TUE Committee in a public hearing in January 2022. From there, it went to Ways & Means where it underwent 8 more weeks of public vetting which resulted in more changes and improvements before the bill hit the House floor on March 3, 2022. The Senate took it up on the floor on April 15, 2022. Over the next several months, the bills were merged and finalized into one bill through the conference committee process. That process included participation from the Minority Leaders in both the House and Senate who both approved of the report by signing the jacket on Wednesday, July 20, 2022.

Here are some links to 45 press reports that demonstrate our transparency on the climate legislation:

1. Massachusetts lawmakers OK compromise climate change bill, WBUR (7/22/22)
2. Massachusetts passes 'landmark' climate bill to decarbonize multiple sectors, add 5.6 GW offshore wind, Utility Dive (7/22/22)
3. State Legislature advances new climate bill after months of negotiations, Boston Globe (7/21/22)
4. Here's what's in the Legislature's energy/climate change legislation, Commonwealth Magazine (7/21/22)
5. Massachusetts lawmakers OK compromise climate change bill, AP News (7/21/22)
6. Compromise climate bill coming down to the wire, Commonwealth Magazine (7/20/22)
7. Baker, negotiators eye path to energy bill compromise, WGBH News (5/5/22)
8. Massachusetts Senate to hear offshore wind energy bill, The Center Square (3/9/2022)
9. Offshore wind bill sails through House, Commonwealth Magazine (3/4/2022)
10. House approves plan to expand offshore wind, The Daily News (3/4/2022)
11. House pushes for Massachusetts to become the center of U.S. wind production, WGBH (3/3/2022)
12. Offshore wind is the future for Massachusetts, Boston Globe (3/2/2022)
13. In race for offshore wind jobs, Mass. is falling behind. So now what?, Boston Globe (3/2/2022)
14. New offshore wind bill drops electric bill charges, Commonwealth Magazine (3/1/2022)
15. House rallying behind new supports for offshore wind industry, New Bedford Light (3/1/2022)
16. Mass. Climate Legislation Overview & Update, sessions on March 2 and March 15, WaylandeNews (2/22/2022)
17. Training offshore wind techs through virtual reality, ABC6 News (2/11/22)
18. All around Massachusetts, cities and towns want to go fossil fuel free. Here's why they can't., Boston Globe (1/19/22)
19. Rep. Roy hopes for a vote 'sooner rather than later' on offshore wind policy bill, Wicked Local Franklin (1/18/22)
20. Sweeping offshore wind bill headed toward House, Commonwealth Magazine (1/13/22)
21. Beacon Hill eyes utility charge to fuel offshore wind, The Salem News (1/13/22)
22. Offshore wind policy fight takes center stage, Commonwealth Magazine (1/12/22)
23. Energy panel readying offshore wind proposal; price cap may fall in pursuit of broader benefits, The Standard Times (1/12/22)
24. Baker urges state to pass offshore wind investment to help meet climate goals, Boston Globe (1/11/22)
25. A first step on offshore wind, Commonwealth Magazine (11/19/21)
26. Could hydrogen be the newest green power source for Mass.?, Boston Globe (11/9/21)
27. Beacon Hill eyeing tradeoffs on offshore wind, Commonwealth Magazine (10/18/21)
28. Codcast: The great offshore wind debate, Commonwealth Magazine (10/18/21)
29. The great offshore wind debate, Commonwealth Magazine (10/18/21)
30. Baker shifts thinking on offshore wind, Commonwealth Magazine (10/14/21)
31. Baker scraps wind price cap in $750-million Clean Energy Bill, 22News WWLP (10/14/21)
32. State Rep. Roy charged with spinning the wheel on offshore wind policy. Franklin legislator plans to put a bill out this session, Franklin Country Gazette (9/28/21)
33. Two of four possible bidders compete in latest round of Mass. offshore wind contracts, Boston Globe (9/23/21)
34. Turbine tour shows House plans to spin wheel on wind policy, 22News WWLP (9/21/21)
35. Massachusetts House lawmakers preparing bill to revise offshore wind policy, Boston Business Journal (9/21/21)
36. These lawmakers wrote the climate bill. They're worried the state won't achieve it, Boston Globe (9/8/21)
37. State lawmakers are pushing on energy policy. Here are 4 issues to watch, The Berkshire Eagle (8/9/21)
38. Vineyard Wind signs labor agreement for offshore wind project; 500 union jobs guaranteed, Standard Times (7/17/21)
39. Vineyard Wind developers sign deal with unions to build $2.8b project, Boston Globe (7/16/21)
40. Federal officials approve first large, offshore wind project in U.S. 15 miles off coast of Martha's Vineyard, Boston Herald (5/11/21)
41. Legislature passes landmark climate bill, Country Gazette (3/23/21)
42. Mass. lawmakers approve climate change bill, Milford Daily News (3/20/21)
43. Climate bill back on Baker's desk, Boston Herald (3/19/21)
44. Legislature approves climate bill, sends back to Governor Baker, Boston Globe (3/19/21)
45. Rep. Roy appointed chair of committee on Beacon Hill, Franklin Country Gazette (2/16/21)

 

Please share these stories with your readers so they get a better picture.

In light of the foregoing, and as you can see, there was no lack of transparency and thus your reporting is simply wrong. You should have reached out for comment. But now that you have the truth, you ought to fix the story. And you ought to share with your readers the press release that we sent you last week so they know what the climate bill is all about.

Finally, I received hundreds of letters and held over 100 meetings on the climate bill over the course of 14 months. Not once did I hear from Mass Fiscal. That should tell you all you need to know. When you have a chance, ask the folks at Mass Fiscal what the quarrel is with the bill.

Respectfully yours,

Jeff

	Jeffrey N. Roy State Representative Chair, Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy State House Room 43 - Boston, MA 02133
	617-722-2030 (w) 508-618-7126 (fax) jeffrey.roy@mahouse.gov
	jeffreyroy.com