Christmas is a time of magic, and for many, this year, the need is greater than ever. The Salvation Army, in partnership with our community, is committed to rescuing Christmas for those in need. We’ve been working on this holiday effort since August, and with your support, we can bring the joy of Christmas to children and families who desperately need it.
Last year, the Chamber of Commerce graciously took our Special Angels—children with special needs of all ages. When we visited these families this year, they shared the joy your generous donations brought to the children and adults in care facilities. It was heartwarming to witness, and we hope to bring that same joy again this year.
Here’s how you can help:
When you select an angel from the tree, know that the gift you choose will go directly to that child. Your kindness will make a real difference!
All gifts should be returned to the Chamber no later than December 10th to allow us time to pack and distribute them to the families and children in need.
Thank you for your ongoing commitment to serving local families this holiday season. Your generosity is a blessing to many!
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Envoy Lynnette Valentine at 978-342-3300 or 330-388-0451.
Together, we can make this Christmas brighter for so many families. Thank you for your heart and your help.
You’re invited to Bitcoin Ben’s Crypto Club’s Pre-Thanksgiving Dinner Open House! This is a great opportunity to connect with fellow crypto enthusiasts, network with club members, and get your questions answered by Bitcoin Ben himself. Whether you’re just starting to explore the world of cryptocurrency or you’re already a seasoned pro, you’ll find insightful discussions and a welcoming atmosphere for all. Bring all your Bitcoin questions and dive into the lates trends and developments in the world of Bitcoin. Enjoy a delicious dinner, catered by IL Camino Restaurant, while diving into the latest trends and developments in the world of Bitcoin and beyond.
Mediation Services of North Central MA seeks community input through a new survey aimed at understanding how you experience and handle conflict.
The confidential survey will help this non-profit organization better serve local communities through their conflict resolution programs. All responses will be aggregated, ensuring individual privacy.
How to Participate
Complete the survey by sharing your honest experiences with conflict in your community. Your insights will directly inform how Mediation Services develops and adapts their programs to meet community needs.
Mediation Services of North Central MA, Inc. (MSI) is part of a statewide initiative working in cooperation with the Massachusetts Office of Public Collaboration to provide free mediation services to landlords and tenants in order to help people in the Commonwealth remain stably housed.
HOUSING AT RISK?
Those struggling with:
Rent
Living Conditions
Getting along with landlords, tenants or others in your building
Are you concerned about speaking directly to others involved? Have you tried communicating, but nothing has gotten resolved? Are you worried about homelessness?
IF SO MSI MAY BE ABLE TO HELP FOR FREE!
ABOUT MEDIATION
Mediation is a VOLUNTARY and CONFIDENTIAL conversation with the assistance of trained neutral mediators The mediators manage the process that gets the parties to focus on what is important to them and how they want to move forward to meet those needs and explore ideas that might work for ALL parties to resolve the conflict.
OTHER INFORMATION:
Referrals are accepted from other agencies, local government, friends, family, individuals in crisis, etc.
Mediations are held either via Zoom or in person and scheduled at a time convenient to the parties.
We DO NOT provide legal advise or representation
Referrals to other resources (i.e. legal aid or financial assistance) may be provided in advance of the mediated conversation
If an agreement is not reached through mediation, legal remedies are still available.
Our agency is a non-profit and has been working with community members for over 30 years providing mediation services and trainings throughout North Central Massachusetts.
Ginny’s Helping Hand is proud to support hundreds of families in need through our Holiday Food Basket program. Each basket is thoughtfully prepared with essential items to help make the holidays special. While the contents may vary, most baskets include a frozen turkey or ham, stuffing, gravy, carrots, potatoes, onions, cranberry sauce, butter, rolls, and ingredients for pie.
How You Can Help
1. Nonperishable Donations: Attached is a graphic listing the nonperishable items we’re collecting for these baskets. To simplify donations, I’ve created an Amazon Wishlist available at https://tinyurl.com/GHHAmazon. Donors can select items to be shipped directly to us, or they can drop off donations at our location: 52 Mechanic St., Leominster.
2. Monetary Donations: If you’d prefer to contribute financially, donations can be made at https://ginnyshelpinghand.org/donate. Every dollar counts and goes directly toward filling these baskets.
3. Distribution Support: To help distribute the baskets—a deeply moving experience for all involved. Key distribution days are November 23rd and December 21st, both from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.. If you’re available, please sign up: https://forms.gle/4UMbqx3ig6C1E2sc8.
4. Food Drive Pickup at Fall Brook Elementary: Fall Brook Elementary School has organized a major food drive to support our efforts! We’ll be picking up their donation on November 22nd at 1:30 p.m. If anyone would like to assist with this pickup, it would be greatly appreciated.
On Friday, November 8, 2024, at 9:00am Mayor Nicholson, State Representative Jon Zlotnik, City Council President Elizabeth Kazinskas, Members of the CAC Board of Directors and other local officials will be meeting at 62 Waterford Street for the Gardner Community Action Committee “CAC” to sign their new lease at the future Community Center on Waterford Street.
In October of 2022, the City’s Administration announced a plan to convert the former Waterford Street School into a new community center to house several non-profits in the City to help improve and expand both the services offered to residents and the collaboration between organizations. Since then, the City, State, and Federal Government have invested in improvements to the building and the construction work at the site in at a point where tenants are now able to enter into lease agreements with the City and begin fitting out their spaces.
The lease provided to the CAC is a Grant Agreement Lease where the City is providing the space to the CAC as an in-kind grant in recognition of the services they provide to the area’s residents in need. The City Council voted to approve this lease at their October 7th Meeting. The City’s Administration and the CAC have completed negotiations and are ready sign the lease.
The remaining spaces in the building are being advertised for RFP for their use.
The City of Fitchburg announces the renewal of its Fitchburg Community Electricity Aggregation (Fitchburg CEA) program, with new prices for the period December 2024 through December 2027. Fitchburg CEA is a group purchasing program, operated by the City since 2023, which provides electricity supply options to help residents and businesses manage costs and increase renewable energy use. Current participants do not need to take any action to remain in the Fitchburg CEA program and receive the new pricing.
The City is pleased to have secured lower rates for our Fitchburg Community Electricity Aggregation products through December 2027. All products will cost less than the current Unitil’s Basic Service residential supply when the new prices go into effect.
All new Fitchburg CEA prices will be fixed for 36 months, from December 2024 through December 2027. The Fitchburg CEA Program will continue to be served by the supplier, Constellation:
Over 14,000 accounts in City, which includes the vast majority of residents, use the Fitchburg Standard option. They will meet the state renewable energy requirements starting in December 2024. You may switch to another Fitchburg CEA option at any time. To switch options, call our program’s current electricity supplier, Constellation, at (833) 943-0160, or submit a request at FitchburgCEA.com. Income-eligible customers can receive a 40% discount on their entire electricity bill, including the Fitchburg CEA supply prices. You can find a link to sign up for this discount at FitchburgCEA.com.
No action is necessary to receive the new pricing for your current Fitchburg supply option, if listed above. For example, if you currently use Fitchburg Plus, you will automatically receive the new price for Fitchburg Plus listed above. However, if you are currently on the Fitchburg 5 product, it will not be offered in the new contract. Such customers will be automatically transferred to the Fitchburg Standard product, unless they affirmatively select another product.
To check what Fitchburg CEA supply option you currently use, look at the Supply section of your Unitil electricity bill. If you participate in the program, it will include the “Old Price” listed above, or if you use the discontinued Fitchburg 5 product, it will show 17.467 ¢/kWh. FITCHBURG CITY HALL, 718 MAIN STREET, FITCHBURG, MA 01420 | TEL: 978-829-1801 | New prices take effect on your December meter read, which for most of the community is on December 6. The first bill to show the new Fitchburg CEA pricing will be the bill you receive showing usage from your December meter read to January meter read. Most customers can expect to receive this bill in early January 2025.
The City’s current electricity contract has offered fixed prices since March 2023, providing multiple years of price stability. Most participants use the Fitchburg Standard, which has saved about $130 for the typical residential customer over that time. As a reminder, Fitchburg CEA prices only apply to the Supply portion of your electric bill and take effect on your meter read date. Unitil will continue to set the charges on the Delivery on your electric bill and will repair outages and manage all billing. Fitchburg CEA has no impact on any solar benefits, low-income discounts, or budget billing plans.
If you are not currently participating in Fitchburg CEA, you can join any time. To join, submit a request at FitchburgCEA.com. Fitchburg CEA participants may leave the Program at any time, without penalty and return to Basic Service supply with Unitil. To leave the Program, call Unitil at (888) 301-7700, or submit a request at FitchburgCEA.com.
Image Credit: Walter Iooss, Blue Dunk, Lisle, IL, 1987, archival pigment print. Gift from Andrew King, 2020.151.26.
The Fitchburg Art Museum invites the public to attend The G.O.A.T. Gala on Saturday, November 16, 2024.
A Night at the Museum provides support for FAM’s community initiatives, exhibitions, and special programs. This year’s celebration is inspired by the iconic sports photography of Walter Iooss. The Fitchburg Art Museum’s G.O.A.T. Gala celebrates our FAMily and embraces team spirit. Surrounded by photographs of some of the greatest athletes of the 20th century, this lively sports-themed evening is set to be the Greatest of All Time!
To kick off this special evening, the Red Raiders Marching Band and the FHS Cheer Squad will be welcoming attendees in the outdoor FAM Courtyard from 6 to 6:30 pm greeting guests as they arrive. Guests are encouraged to wear cocktail attire in their favorite team’s colors and can pose with props in our FAM photo backdrop. Finicky Fork catering will serve a menu of playful sports–themed appetizers and specialty cocktails will be served (cash bar with each guest receiving one complimentary drink ticket). There will be a Silent Auction where guests can bid on game tickets and sports memorabilia, and a DJ will be playing music in the galleries.
The Museum thanks the G.O.A.T. Sponsors: Country Bank, and Enterprise Bank; M.V.P. Sponsors: Fitchburg State University, ACHLA Designs, Cabot Wealth Management, and Peter Laytin & Paula Callanan; and Rookie of the Year Sponsors: Michael DeMarco & Livia Umpierre, and Legends Grille & Sports Bar for supporting this gala.
Tickets are $40 for Members & $50 for non-members in advance, and $50 for Members & $60 for non-members at the door.
MEM Dance Theatre presents The Nutcracker, a beloved holiday performance that transports audiences of all ages to the enchanting Land of the Sweets. Join Clara, the Sugar Plum Fairy, and a cast of talented local dancers in this timeless production. Performances are on December 7th at 6:00 PM and December 8th at 2:00 PM. Tickets go on sale October 30th at 6:00 PM.
In addition to the public performances, MEM Dance Theatre will offer free showings for local school children, supporting arts education and access within our community.
For those interested in supporting the arts, we also have advertising opportunities available in our Nutcracker program book, distributed to more than 1,500 audience members. This is a unique chance to connect with the community and show support for local arts.
Learn more and secure your ad space by visiting our Message & Ad Form.
The Boys & Girls Club of Fitchburg, Leominster, & Gardner is thrilled to announce the appointment of Natalia Oliver as the new Director of Development. Natalia, an immigrant from Uruguay, brings an extraordinary blend of leadership experience, public service, and event management expertise to the role, where she will focus on advancing the organization’s development efforts.
Natalia’s journey from her early days as an Uruguayan immigrant to becoming a key player in Fitchburg’s civic leadership highlights her commitment to community-building and advocacy for inclusive spaces. Most notably, she served as Chief of Staff for former Fitchburg Mayor Stephen L. DiNatale, where she was instrumental in managing the city’s strategic initiatives, public relations, and community outreach efforts. Natalia’s deep-rooted understanding of collaboration and fundraising in the public sector will be invaluable in her new role at the Boys & Girls Club.
“We are ecstatic to have Natalia join us as Director of Development,” said Elizabeth Coveney, CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of Fitchburg, Leominster, & Gardner. “Her background in public service and event management, along with her ability to connect with diverse stakeholders, will be pivotal in helping us strengthen our relationships with donors and increase our impact across the communities we serve.”
As Chief of Staff to Mayor DiNatale, Natalia played a key role in securing resources for major city projects, spearheading fundraising campaigns, and representing the Mayor’s office at community events and city councils. She brings with her a rich history of cultivating partnerships and managing complex projects. “I am honored to take on the role of Director of Development for the Boys & Girls Club of Fitchburg, Leominster, & Gardner,” said Natalia Oliver. “As an immigrant, I know the importance of having supportive, empowering spaces like the Boys & Girls Club. I am excited to engage with our donors and community partners to ensure that we can continue providing exceptional programs and opportunities for the youth in our area.”
In her new role, Natalia will oversee all aspects of fundraising and donor relations, helping to secure the resources needed to advance the Boys & Girls Club’s mission of empowering youth through education, leadership development, and community engagement.
