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Hello Neighbors and Friends -
We have really enjoyed hearing stories from Kindness Week - about the ways it has touched individuals and caused some ripples throughout the community. We will try to amplify those stories throughout the next 11 months - to keep the kindness going all year 'round. We encourage you to share with us, as well!
The New England weather didn't cooperate for the Winter Lights event last week, but the Westborough rotary and downtown is once again beautifully lit for the winter and holiday season (Thank you, Rotary Club and its many sponsors!). If you haven't had a chance to see it, it is worth a drive by in the evening.
With less than a month to go in 2025, we are winding down and preparing for 2026. With our Square One Collaboration partners, we have one more important program ahead next week...A Community QPR Training Program. Thanks to taking a CPR certification course, many people feel more prepared to assist during a physical health crisis, such as choking or a heart attack. Next week's QPR training aims to prepare everyday people for a different type of urgent need -- interacting with someone who may be having thoughts of suicide. See below for more details on this opportunity to get QPR certified.
We will close out the year with 2 more Connect Over Coffee meetups this month. See below and drop by if your schedule and location permit!
Today is International Volunteer Day and I'd like to take this chance to say thank you to our incredible team of volunteers! Whether that meant serving on our board, hanging flyers for our programs, greeting people at an event or something else, thank you for making our organization stronger and our work possible. This year, we've had 93 adults and 92 youth contribute to our work in some way. Together, they logged 2894.75 hours over the course of the year, which is the equivalent of more than one full-time and one part-time employee. Wow! Speaking of employees, I'd like to thank our incredible Program Manager, Laura Cerniglia, and dynamic Volunteer Engagement Coordinator, Tracy LaCroix! I am so fortunate to work with such a dedicated team that brings so much to Westborough Connects and our community!
Happy Holidays to those celebrating this month: Chanukah, Christmas and Kwanzaa. Wishing you all moments of joy and contentment with loved ones.
Yours in Community,
Kelley Petralia
Executive Director, Westborough Connects
kelleyconnects1@gmail.com
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A curated selection of articles, videos, audio and resources that we find worthy of sharing each month (no matter where you live).
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A recently released study highlighted mental health benefits for adults who take a short break or significantly scale back on time spent on social media (for 1 or 2 weeks). This NPR article provides an overview of the findings and offers tips for trying a detox yourself.
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Greater Good Science Center's Resources for Thriving Over the Holidays explores topics including holiday stress, gifting, gratitude, and more.
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Locally focused items centered on resources and announcements in Westborough.
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The Town of Westborough has established a 250th American Revolution Anniversary Committee to plan for events and initiatives related to this national commemoration. Westborough TV will broadcast their planning meetings and the committee welcomes local groups and anyone else planning their own initiatives to reach out (you can call the Town Manager's office at 508-366-3030).
| | | We are honored to be a Reliant Foundation 2025 Community Grant recipient. | | | |
Thank you to the following sponsors for renewing their support of Westborough Connects:
New England Recovery Center,
Rebound Physical Therapy
| We were fortunate to be included in this year PwC's Scopathon, a pro-bono consulting engagement designed to help nonprofits address a pressing strategic challenge. We are grateful for the nomination for the program by Colleen Dowd, a Westborough Connects volunteer and Westborough resident. Thank you, PwC and Colleen! | | | Upcoming Connect Over Coffees | | |
Friday, December 12th
12-1:30pm
Tuesday, December 16th
10-11:30am
Location: Red Barn Cafe, 17 South Street
Our Connect Over Coffee initiative provides an opportunity for informal meet ups with Westborough Connects staff, board members, new and existing Volunteers as well as anyone who is interested in connecting with fellow community members. Drop in for a free cup of coffee or stay for the whole time! Thanks to Red Barn Coffee Roasters for providing coffee and pastries.
| | Next week - just a few remaining spots! | | Upcoming Program: Please Register | | |
Get Involved!
Local Opportunities for Volunteering, Connection, Civic Engagement, Learning, and Helping the Environment
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Join Westborough Newcomers Club for a festive morning of coffee, donuts, crafts, and open play at the Westborough Community Center — all while helping us make the WYFS Free Holiday Store truly wonderful! ✨
This family-friendly event is free with the donation of a toy (they have an Amazon Wishlist). Every item supports the annual Westborough Youth and Family Services Free Holiday Store and brings joy to local families. Check out the details HERE.
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As a direct result of Westborough Kindness Week, we are launching a new initiative in partnership with the Westborough Memorial VFW Post 9013 in Westborough and Commander Michael Van Nest.
The initiative connects Westborough residents to bring a smile to the face of someone who may be going through a difficult time - either recovering from a health issue, the loss of a loved one or just in need of a little connection and a smile from a fellow community member. Sunshine and Smiles volunteers are welcome to bring a small token or "sunshine package" with them, which can include small items such as homemade cards, cookies/brownies, art, a flower or plant, etc.
Learn more and sign up as a volunteer to deliver sunshine and smiles HERE.
Note: we are looking for a few volunteers to create and deliver packages between now and December 15th.
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Westborough Connects is continuing Westborough Neighborhood Food Drives initiative, which began as part of Kindness Week 2024.
This is an opportunity for any Westborough resident to host a week-long food drive in their own neighborhood or community.
Never done this before? That's OK - we have sample flyers and tips and tricks to make it easy! Plus, the pantry management will reach out directly to you to coordinate what to collect, when to bring it, etc.
View and sign up for 2026 slots HERE.
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Nomination Papers for the 2025 Annual Town Election in Westborough are available at the Town Clerk’s Office in Town Hall, 34 West Main Street, Westborough. The following positions are up for election: Moderator (3-year term) – 1 seat; Planning Board (5-year term) – 1 seat; Select Board (3-year term) – 1 seat; School Committee (3-year term) – 2 seats; Town Clerk (3-year term) – 1 seat; Trustees of the Public Library (3-year term) – 3 seats; Trustee of the Soldier’s Memorial-Veteran Seat (3-year term) – 1 seat; and Westborough Housing Authority (5-year term) – 1 seat.
Elected positions are open to all resident voters who wish to hold and serve in an elected seat. The last day to take out papers is Thursday, Jan. 15. They are due back to the clerk for certification by 5 pm on Tuesday, January 20, 2026. For more information and a list of open seats, click HERE.
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If you plan to buy a Christmas tree, a wreath or roping, your purchase could directly support good work happening in Westborough. Every year, the all-volunteer Westborough Civic Club grants funds to a variety of non-profit organizations and town groups in Westborough. It's all made possible through the proceeds from the Civic Club’s Annual Tree sale that is held from Thanksgiving weekend through Christmas in front of Hastings Elementary at 111 E. Main Street (Monday-Friday, 3:30-8pm; Saturday-Sunday, 9am-8pm). It is the club’s only fundraising activity.
The Civic Club is always looking for new members and volunteers to help with the sale. If you would like to help, please reach out to info@westborocivicclub.com.
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If you're in the market for skis, a snowboard, or related equipment, consider the annual WASA Ski Swap on December 13th from 9am-1pm at Hastings Elementary. WASA is a Westborough organization that grants funds to several organizations and causes each year. Learn more HERE.
We are grateful to WASA for partial grant funding this year to support Westborough Unplugs and Westborough for Life! Stay. Connect. Thrive.!
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Westborough Food Pantry Wish List | | | | Community Programs and Events in Westborough | | |
WPL is closing out the year with many great programs this month:
- Adult board game afternoon (12/6)
- Pajama Storytime (12/10)
- Tween Creations (12/17)
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Candle Workshop (12/18)
and MUCH more!
Check out their full December calendar and event registration links HERE.
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December programs and events include:
- Learn About AI (12/11)
- New Year's Eve Celebration (12/30 at 11am)
- Alzheimer's and Dementia Peer Support Group (1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month)
- Game Night Fun (Tuesdays)
and MUCH more!
Check out the December Senior Scene newsletter HERE. (note: calendar includes free and fee-based activities). Questions? Feel free to call the friendly staff at 508-366-3000.
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There are many opportunities to have fun at the Community Center (1500 Union Street), including many free activities:
- Thursday Night Social, a fun and welcoming series of events for adults (16+) with disabilities!
- Puppet Show (for ages 2-5) (12/11)
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Open Play Time and Table Tennis schedule HERE.
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Find the Gym Court Schedule HERE.
For more details, including winter programs (free and fee-based), visit Westborough Recreation's website HERE.
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Square One Corner
Community Events and Resources to Support Mental and Behavioral Health
| | Note: this new newsletter section will feature resources and programs focused on mental and behavioral health, including some items shared through the Westborough Public Schools' Wellness Team's "Wellness Bites" bulletin. | | |
We are resharing this short Partnership to End Addiction video (10m) that we saw through fellow CMSAPC coalition member, Natick 180. It provides helpful tips and knowledge about underage alcohol use for parents/caregivers of teens.
Video highlights include:
- What today’s underage drinking looks like
- The real risks of teen alcohol use and how to prevent it
- How alcohol affects the developing brain
- Social media and peer pressure influences
- How caring adults can have real, effective conversations with teens to reduce alcohol use, keep teens safe, and prevent dangerous situations like binge drinking and drinking and driving
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December 15th, 11:30am, via Zoom
Register HERE
Learn about transition planning, a formal process to help students with special needs think about what they want to do after high school, how to get there, and what supports and services can help them along the way.
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Westborough Connects, a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization (EIN # 84-1751472), is a community connector with a mission to help build a thriving, kind, and connected community where everybody belongs. By listening and responding to the needs of the community, we connect people to resources and to each other. We foster meaningful relationships through events, collaborative partnerships and communications. Westborough Connects is the proud winner of the Civic Pride Award as part of the Westborough Economic Development Committee's 2022 Year in Review Awards.
| | Westborough Connects is proud to be a member of: | | Interested in becoming a sponsor of Westborough Connects? We'd love to talk to you. Please email us at westboroughconnects@gmail.com | |
westboroughconnects@gmail.com
www.westboroughconnects.org
| | If you have received this email as a forward and wishing to be added to the Westborough Connects mailing list, please click HERE. | | | | |
