Habitat for Humanity North Central MA has the funds to begin its newest build project at 50 Henry Street in Fitchburg thanks to the outpouring of generosity shown by local businesses and individual donors who contributed to the agency’s most recent fundraising campaign.  The “$25K in 25 Days” campaign began in mid-November and successfully concluded in mid-December.

Many local business, community groups, individual donors, volunteers and Habitat Staff came together to make the campaign a huge success.  As part of the “25 in 25” effort, Habitat also participated in #GivingTuesday, a global day of giving held on the Tuesday following “Black Friday”.  The organization also partnered with Ixtapa Mexican Cantina in Lunenburg to raise funds on GivingTuesday, by hosting a “Dine to Donate” event at the restaurant.  Ten percent of all revenues generated by the restaurant for the day were donated to Habitat NCM.

Through these various events, and a generous matching gift of $10,000 from a generous benefactor, Habitat was able to collectively raise the $25,000 to begin work on a local family’s new home at the Henry Street property in Fitchburg.

Habitat for Humanity North Central MA would like to thank the following local business for contributing to the “25 in 25” campaign: Aubuchon Hardware, Enterprise Bank, D’Ambrosio Eye Center, Platt Builders, Webster First Federal Credit Union, Mercandante & Mercandante, PC, Erb & Southcotte, Can-Am Machinery and Select Engineering.  To learn more about Habitat for Humanity North Central MA, please visit our website at www.ncmhabitat.org.

Habitat for Humanity North Central Massachusetts is a non-profit housing ministry that builds and repairs simple, decent houses with people in need. It is the local affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, serving 25 towns and cities in north central Massachusetts, including Acton, Ashburnham, Ashby, Ayer, Berlin, Bolton, Boxborough, Clinton, Fitchburg, Gardner, Groton, Harvard, Hudson, Lancaster, Littleton, Lunenburg, Leominster, Maynard, Pepperell, Princeton, Shirley, Sterling, Stow, Townsend, and Westminster.  Habitat NCM also operates the Leominster ReStore which raises funds through the sale of discounted or recycled materials and furniture

Tap Takeover At The Columbia Tavern In Leominster, Thursday, December 15th

The brewery at the Gardner Ale House is announcing plans to distribute beer outside the Ale House under the parent company’s name, Moon Hill Brewing Co. Inc.  Owner Rick Walton said that when he started Moon Hill Brewing Co. in 2005, it was intended to be the corporate umbrella for the Gardner Ale House and any other enterprises involving food and beverage that presented themselves.  “We now find ourselves able to distribute our beer and that will be our next enterprise,” Walton said.

Moon Hill already has a tap dispensing its “Packie Run” Session IPA at The Columbia Tavern in Leominster.  And now, as a Grand Opening Event, Moon Hill Brewing is taking over all the taps at The Columbia Tavern on Thursday, December 15^th, from 6 PM till closing.  Mr. Walton said that “A tap takeover is a traditional marketing activity in the craft brewing world.  Basically, a venue, like The Columbia Tavern, will agree to pour beers from only one brewery for a given amount of time.”  Mr. Walton summed it up by saying “The tap takeover event is being used as our Grand Opening for Moon Hill Brewing Co.’s new effort at distribution.  Right now there are only two places you can find Moon Hill beers: At the Gardner Ale House and now at The Columbia Tavern in Leominster.  Please join us at The Columbia Tavern next Thursday!”

Leominster Credit Union (LCU), in honor of Veteran’s Day, donated a variety of household goods to Armistice Homestead in Leominster.

LCU employees donated $5 to wear jeans to work one day in October, raising enough money to purchase four laundry baskets full of new household items such as bed sheets, cooking utensils, flatware, towels, cleaning products and more.  The event was organized by LCU employees; Ellen Coughlin, Ruth Pisciotta, Linda Taratuta, Fiona Szpiech and Bryon Goguen.

Cindy Correll, Development Director Veteran Homestead, commented, “No veteran should be discarded, and neither should their experience.  Leominster Credit Union has supported Armistice Homestead in Leominster, MA with friendship and supplies.  The veterans residing at Armistice Homestead maintain independence and dignity in a home-like atmosphere”.

Veteran Homestead is an independent, non-profit organization that provides housing and care to U.S. Armed Services Veterans from across the nation.  Their focus is on reclamation and regeneration to transition soldiers back to civilian life, so they can reclaim their lives and revitalize their futures.