United Way of North Central Massachusetts (UWNCM) has created a fund to assist local community members impacted by recent catastrophic flooding in the city of Leominster. The Leominster Flood Relief Fund will provide financial assistance and supplies to residents impacted by the flash flooding.

During the evening of September 11, Leominster was inundated with nearly 10 inches of rain, creating flash floods that washed out roads, stranded vehicles, and damaged many homes and businesses. The city declared a state of emergency as residents were evacuated from multiple areas due to a dam collapse and the formation of sinkholes. A town school served as an emergency shelter.

Support will be especially critical as more rain is anticipated in the days to come.

UWNCM has a long history of supporting North Central communities in times of disaster and crisis. UWNCM President Kory Eng shared, “Our hearts go out to the families and individuals in Leominster impacted by this once-in-a-lifetime storm. Our Day of Caring is this Friday, but we’ve already seen our region’s caring in action as so many people and businesses have stepped up to help, to donate, to volunteer.”

UWNCM has coordinated with the City of Leominster to launch the Fund, and through a collaboration with the Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts (CFNCM) and the Greater Worcester Community Foundation (GWCF), donations to the Fund will be matched dollar for dollar, up to $75,000. One-hundred percent of donations given to the Fund will go to support residents impacted by the flooding.

Steve Adams, President of CFNCM, states, “The recent devastating floods in the City of Leominster have left some citizens homeless and many in need of essential services. Clean-up after this will be immense. This Fund will help residents recover, and we’re humbled to have a hand in helping them rebuild their lives.”

“Our thoughts are with our neighbors in Leominster as they work to recover from this unexpected devastation to their community,” shared GWCF President Peter Dunn. “Contributions to the Flood Relief Fund will go a long way in helping them do so.”

Many residents of Leominster are facing horrific losses, as historically dry homes and basements unexpectedly filled with water and destroyed foundations, belongings, and precious memories. One Leominster resident commented, “The rainfall came down so quickly, and before I knew it, I had water rushing into the basement and a river running through my backyard where there never was one before. Pieces of my road floated away. It was truly terrifying.”

UWNCM is appealing to the community to support those impacted by the flood by making a donation to the Fund. To donate, text FLOODRELIEF to 50155 or visit uwncm.org/leominster-flood-relief.

The City of Fitchburg Health Department invites the public to attend a “Recovery Day of Service” to be held on Saturday, September 30, at the Upper Common, Main Street, Fitchburg from 10am – Noon.

Mobilize Recovery Day brings together people from all walks of life to give back to their community – it is a day that recognizes the recovery community, recovery successes and the power of engagement. September 30th marks the culmination of National Recovery Month and coincides with International Recovery Day.

The event will include a speaking program. Resource tables representing many local providers will be available. The Fitchburg Health Department, an affiliate of the Commonwealth Naloxone Purchasing Program, will offer Narcan training and distribution. The Salvation Army canteen will be providing free refreshments.
The 2023 Service activity is Recovery Backpacks. We are collecting new items to fill backpacks at the event which will be given to those in need entering treatment. The backpacks have been generously donated by Community Health Connections.

Items needed include leggings, T-shirts, flip-flops, journals/notebooks and socks. Residents may drop off items at the purple collection bins located at the following sites:

City Hall lobby, 718 Main St, M-F 8:30-4:30
Community Health Connections ACTION, 130 Water Street, M-F 8-5
Fitchburg Comprehensive Treatment Center. 155 Airport Road, M-F 12-2
Restoration Recovery, 40 Fairmont Street, M-F 9-2

Leominster Credit Union (LCU) announces they have hired Michael Hawkes, Vice President of Commercial Lending.

Hawkes’ 25 years of banking experience positions him well to lead and grow Leominster Credit Union’s commercial lending portfolio. Hawkes will report to Craig Madonia, Senior Vice President, Lending.

Hawkes advanced lending experience, coupled with his desire to help others achieve their financial goals, supports LCU’s commitment to assist our members’ commercial lending needs. In his career, he has held roles in all areas of lending including Credit Analyst, Portfolio Manager, and Relationship Manager. In these roles, he has successfully assisted small and large businesses secure a variety of commercial loans.

Hawkes is a graduate of Babson College located in Wellesley, MA. Prior to joining LCU, Michael was the Vice President, Commercial Loan Officer at Franklin Savings Bank.

“We know Michael will make a positive impact for our members and future members and we are excited to have him join the LCU team,” stated Craig Madonia, SVP, Lending, Leominster Credit Union.

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Founded in 1954, Leominster Credit Union (LCU) is a member-owned, not-for-profit financial cooperative with a full range of deposit, lending, and other financial services. Headquartered in Leominster, Massachusetts, LCU is proud to claim nearly 40,000 members and more than $800 million in assets. LCU has seven branch locations in Leominster, Clinton, Holden, North Leominster, Sterling and Worcester with ATM services at all branch locations. LCU also provides 24-hour banking via Mobile and Online services. Visit leominstercu.com or call 800-649-4646.

The United Way of North Central Massachusetts (UWNCM) is seeking volunteers from throughout the community to help put on their largest ever “Day of Caring” event on Friday, September 15. The 28th annual event will deploy volunteers to undertake short-term projects at dozens of local non-profits, schools and other service organizations.

The Day of Caring brings community members together for 4 hours—from 9am-1pm—to assist agencies with tasks they may not otherwise have the resources to complete. This year, due to factors including reduced staffing and increased community needs, agencies have submitted a record number of 65 projects. More than 400 volunteers have already signed up, but UWNCM needs an additional 150 volunteers to ensure all projects are filled.

Projects are located throughout the North Central Massachusetts region and include indoor and outdoor opportunities, ranging from repainting a school playground to cleaning up a community park, sewing book bags for babies, helping English-language learners with literacy by playing board games, and taking event photos.

All Day of Caring Volunteers are invited to kick off breakfasts being held in both Fitchburg and Athol as well as an end-of-day Thank You Barbecue at the Polish American Citizens Club in Gardner.

Several local companies also support the Day of Caring by sponsoring the event and enabling their employees to volunteer during work hours. Randi Vincent, UWNCM Senior Manager of Data & Technology and lead staff member of the Day of Caring, notes that the event is a true community effort.

“We are so grateful to everyone who helps bring this amazing day to life, including our many volunteers, corporate partners, and event steering committee members,” says Vincent. “Right now, the need in our region is greater than ever, which means we also have an opportunity to make a bigger impact than ever.”

Learn more about the Day of Caring and sign up as volunteer.uwncm.org.

The United Way of North Central Massachusetts serves the communities of Ashburnham, Ashby, Athol, Ayer, Devens, Fitchburg, Gardner, Groton, Harvard, Hubbardston, Leominster, Littleton, Pepperell, Lunenburg, Petersham, Phillipston, Royalston, Shirley, Templeton, Townsend, Westminster and Winchendon.