Have you volunteered with FISH of Franklin? Do you know about the 50th celebration? (audio)

FM #1053 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1053 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my recorded conversation with Barbara Steele, Nancy Rappa and Terry Robbins, all with FISH of Franklin. We had our conversation in the Franklin TV Studio conference room on Tuesday, August 29, 2023. 

The FISH of Franklin organization will be celebrating 50 years of community service this coming October 18 at Dean College. A “Save the Date” mailing was sent to the current list of volunteers and those they were able to find records for from prior years. However, they fear they may be missing some. Hence our conversation to get the word out so those who have volunteered in the past 50 years can get on the listing. 

Secondly, the FISH of Franklin are also looking for volunteers. We discussed their origin story, how the service they provide has evolved over the years, and that volunteering really is only a commitment for driving or handling the phone calls once a month. We talked of the three blessings for this volunteer effort. 

The recording runs about 35 minutes so let’s listen in and learn about the three blessings of volunteering for FISH of Franklin. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1053-fish-of-franklin-celebrate-50-years-08-29-23

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FISH of Franklin volunteers provide rides to Franklin neighbors for medical or social service related appointments. You can call 508-528-2121 to arrange a ride or to volunteer

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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

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"

Have you volunteered with FISH of Franklin? Do you know about the 50th celebration? (audio)

Franklin Volunteer Fair - Weds, Sep 13 at THE BLACK BOX

Free for volunteers to figure out who to help

Free for non-profits to share your work to attract volunteers

• Non-profits can contact ahardy@fpaconline.com to sign up for a table spot

at THE BLACK BOX, Wednesday, September 13 from 6 to 8 PM.

Franklin Volunteer Fair - Weds, Sep 13 at THE BLACK BOX

Franklin HS XC/Track & Field Boosters looking for volunteer to serve as secretary

Franklin HS XC/Track & Field Boosters (@FranklinXCTrack)

"We are still looking for a volunteer for our open secretary position for the upcoming year. Without this position filled, it will be very difficult for us to continue to provide the services we do for the program and for the athletes and their families.

It requires uploading/maintenance of email lists on MailChimp, sending periodic email updates, creating signup genius for volunteers, monitoring/responding to boosters email, and voting on board decisions for the boosters. 1 to 2 hrs/wk with addl 1 to 2 hrs to start each season"

Shared from -> https://twitter.com/FranklinXCTrack/status/1694747638640308608

Franklin HS XC/Track & Field Boosters looking for volunteer to serve as secretary

This Franklin Food Pantry conversation covers how community involvement makes this a success (audio)

FM #1039 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1039 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Suzanne Gendreau, Franklin Food Pantry board member and Building Campaign Committee Chair along with Donna O’Neill, Food Pantry volunteer and ambassador extraordinaire. We had our conversation in the new location of the Franklin Food Pantry at Edwin’s. 

We talk about the happy news that the Food Pantry has their own home, finally. While they are appreciative of the space Rockland Trust has let them use for many years, their needs had outgrown the space. 

We spend much of the time sharing stories about the community involvement that is what makes the Food Pantry a successful operation assisting our neighbors.

Disclosure: during the conversation you will hear about my background with the Food Pantry and that I have committed to this capital campaign.

The recording runs about 32 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Suzanne and Donna. Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1039-franklin-food-pantry-building-campaign-3-07-24-23

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The Franklin Food Pantry is here for you. If you need us, we are here with not only food, but useful programs and resources for individuals, seniors and families struggling with food insecurity. If you can support us, we thank you - visit franklinfoodpantry.org to explore volunteering, donating funds, donating food, or supporting our Capital Campaign to keep the lights on and the programs, from food elves to weekend backpack stuffing. It truly takes a village to keep our food pantry running and supporting the increasing demand, supporting our Franklin neighbors.

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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 www.franklin.news or www.Franklinmatters.org/ 

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"

Franklin Food Pantry Launches Building Campaign (audio)

Mass Councils on Aging: Aug 10 - Volunteerism as a Pathway to Employment

Volunteerism as a Pathway to Employment This free program is available through a grant from the Massachusetts Councils on Aging (MCOA) and the Executive Office of Elder Affairs (EOEA) Hello, Job Seeker! We have an exciting 50+ Job Seekers event for the week of August 6th! Unless noted otherwise, all events are virtual. Thurs, Aug 10th, 10:00 - 11:00 AM Volunteerism as a Pathway to Employment Savvy Seeker Series with David Guydan! Combining purposeful volunteering as part of a job search can increase the chances of landing a paid position. Explore with David Guydan the possibilities in this one-hour virtual seminar, grounded in research on the benefits of volunteerism. Learn about the "new retirement" and an expanded set of options available today for encore careers, whether paid or unpaid. Seminar attendees will leave with new information on how volunteering leads to paid jobs and a roadmap of how to use meaningful volunteer activities as a pathway to employment. David Guydan is Director of Discovery Centers for Civic Engagement, which supports volunteerism through Councils on Aging throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Register Now Check out our Current Openings page for job opportunities! Website: https://50plusjobseekers.org/ Questions: Email us at 50plusjobseekersadmin@mcoaonline.com

Massachusetts Association of Councils on Aging | 116 Pleasant Street, Suite 306, Easthampton, MA 01027 Try email marketing for free today!

_._,

Franklin Food Pantry looking for two parents to help coordinate the Food Elves Campaign

The Franklin Food Pantry is recruiting for two volunteer District Parents for Food Elves in the Oak and Jefferson elementary school districts this year. The Food Elves Campaign is The Franklin Food Pantry’s largest fundraiser of the year! 

In 2022, The Elves raised over $93,000! 

Food Elves are middle and high school students in the Franklin community organized by, and working with, District Parents.

Food Elves Campaign

Between December 1 and December 12, Food Elves pass out The Pantry’s signature purple envelopes and flyers to houses in their elementary school districts and set up their online pages to raise funds for The Pantry. 

Food Elves are assigned to District Parents who help guide them through the process. District Parents are typically assigned 20 -30 students (depending on the district).

The District Parents play a very important role in the campaign! Six district parents correspond to the previous six school districts that our current middle and high school students attended: 

• Jefferson Elementary School (recruiting)

• Parmenter Elementary School

• Oak Street Elementary School (recruiting)

• Hellen Keller Elementary School

• John F. Kennedy Elementary School

• Davis Thayer Elementary School (now closed but students who attended still canvas in the Davis Thayer district)

What Does a District Parent do?

• You are the direct contact for the Elves who sign up in your district. 

• You assign streets to the Elves (The Pantry will provide street maps corresponding to elementary school districts).

• Elves indicate their Elementary Schools when they sign up.

• You help the Elves organize kick-off activities in the neighborhood.... 

o Distribute lawn signs

o Oversee envelope and flyer distribution

o Help them to say thank you

• You sign off on community service hours (The Pantry will provide you with forms)

• In-person Elves get 12 hours

• Online Only Elves get 10 hours

• You collect and deliver checks to The Pantry.

Elves can also choose to fund raise online only – you will not have any responsibilities to these Elves!

The Pantry will provide a staff contact to help District Parents. 

Time commitment: November 1 – December 15 

● 1 hour meeting with Pantry and other District Parents for kickoff

● Meet with Food Elves to assign streets (in person at your home), give out lawn signs and envelopes

● Answer Food Elf questions via email

● Collect envelopes from Food Elves

● Return envelopes to The Pantry 

If interested in participating for the Oak or Jefferson district, please contact Jen Johnson at the Food Pantry. Her email is jjohnson@franklinfoodpantry.org

Volunteer for the Hockomock Area YMCA 8th Annual Backpack Drive - sign up now!

Hockomock Area YMCA (@HockomockYMCA) tweeted on Fri, Jul 28, 2023:

"Meet new friends and be part of something bigger than yourself! Sign up today as a volunteer in our 8th annual backpack drive. 

The children you help through this project will be filled with hope, joy, and excitement as they start the school year. "

https://t.co/XXRKhekOBX

Volunteer for the Hockomock Area YMCA 8th Annual Backpack Drive - sign up now!

Looking ahead to Franklin's 4th of July Celebration

The schedule for the 4th of July Celebration in Franklin, MA is ready. Mark your calendars! 

• When are the wrist band days?  https://www.franklin4th.com/schedule-1
• What bands are playing & when?  https://www.franklin4th.com/music
• What food booths are there?  https://www.franklin4th.com/food
• Is the Blues Festival back? Yes -> https://www.franklin4th.com/blues-festival

Check out all the details on the 4th of July Celebration page ->    https://www.franklin4th.com/

The volunteers organizing this event can use your help in person or with a financial contribution:

• Sign up here ->  https://www.franklin4th.com/about
• Donate to the cause here ->  https://franklin-july-4th-coalitin.secured.atpay.com/

When are the wrist band days?  https://www.franklin4th.com/schedule-1

Is the Blues Festival back? Yes -> https://www.franklin4th.com/blues-festival

Talk Franklin: Jamie and I go 'long' talking patience, process, and engagement results - 04/28/23 (audio)

FM #985 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 985 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my "Talk Franklin" conversation with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen. We had our conversation in person at the Senior Center. We had already been involved in back-to-back sessions and added our recording session to this slot on Friday, April 28, 2023.  

We usually watch the clock to keep the session shorter but we were having such a good discussion we went with the flow.

Topics for this session

Arts & Culture listening session (2nd of 3 scheduled)

Senior Center volunteer recognition event

Finance Committee budget hearings scheduled May 8, 10, & 11

Town Council hearings scheduled for May 24 & 25

The recording runs about 55 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Jamie on Friday, April 28, 2023

Audio file -> https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/letstalkfranklin/episodes/State-of-Franklin---May-2023-e23gcru

 

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Town FY 2024 budget page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget/webforms/fy-24-budget-materials 

Arts & Culture survey -> https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf4AWODps2aVQd_tzHIGfcJBRwUdpvYB9jK3hgfxploSWc7zw/viewform?usp=sf_link

Town of Franklin calendar for May meetings & events -> https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar/month/2023-05 

Town Administrator page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/administrator

Talk Franklin podcast page -> https://anchor.fm/letstalkfranklin 

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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

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"

Talk Franklin: Jamie and I go long talking patience, process, and engagement results - 04/28/23 (audio)

Franklin's Beautification Day Set for May 20

Get ready for spring. Volunteers are needed for the Franklin Downtown Partnership and Franklin Garden Club's annual Beautification Day in downtown Franklin on the morning of Saturday, May 20.

Many hands are needed to help plant a variety of flowers on the bridges, barrels and boxes in front of the stores.

Volunteers with trucks will meet at 7:30 at Fairmount Fruit Farm at 887 Lincoln St. to pick up trays of flowers and deliver downtown. If you don’t have a truck, arrive by 8:30 at the municipal parking lot near the bridge in front of The Rome restaurant. Bring work gloves, rakes and garden tools, if you can.

Students: if you have community service hours to satisfy, this is the perfect opportunity to earn your hours. You will get a note documenting your service.

Not available to plant on May 20? Volunteer to water plants for the season. There are 18 weeks of watering needed throughout the summer months, said Eileen Mason, Beautification Day Chairperson. Pick the weeks that work for you.

This season, the Garden Club and volunteers will be planting Pink Dipladenia, Sally Fun, Deep Ocean Salvia (blue), White Wave Petunias and Juncus Grass-Corkscrew Rush. They have a lush tropical look, Mason said.

 “This year’s selections are somewhat new. We try to plant for the hot dry season,” Mason explained. “They are drought-tolerant and should be quite showy throughout the summer.” She has been in charge of this ambitious effort for more than 19 years.  If you can volunteer to plant May 20th or water this summer, email Eileen Mason at emason4234@gmail.com.

Franklin Downtown Partnership Executive Director, Lisa Piana, values the teamwork from all who come together to make this a success. “The FDP is extremely grateful to Eileen Mason, the Garden Club, DPW and the many volunteers that come out every year to plant and water the flowers in the town’s center. We truly appreciate our many sponsors who support the beautification of our wonderful downtown.”

Franklin DPW does their part by supplying water, hoses and mulch, Mason added. They will also clean up litter and debris in certain areas. 

Franklin Downtown Partnership is grateful to the following sponsors who make the beautification effort possible. 

• Platinum sponsors: Camford Property Group, Inc., Elizabeth’s Bagels, Eileen Mason-REMAX, Maven Hair Company, Middlesex Savings Bank, R.I. Motorsports.  Gold sponsors: Dean Bank, Notturno Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc., PhysicianOne Urgent Care, D.G. Ranieri Real Estate.
• Silver sponsors: Fenton Financial Group, Charles F. Oteri Funeral Home, Safford AXIA Insurance.
• Bronze sponsors: Keefe Insurance Agency, Vet Med Pet Supplies.

The Franklin Downtown Partnership is a non-profit 501©3 organization made up of more than 350 business owners, residents, and community leaders working to revitalize downtown Franklin. Residents can join the Downtown Partnership for only $25. The Partnership manages events like the Strawberry Stroll and the Harvest Festival, and initiatives such as beautification, streetscape design, greenspace, alley murals, and sculpture projects. 

For more information go to www.franklindowntownpartnership.org.

Volunteers Wanted for May 20 Downtown Beautification Day (photo from 2018)