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Dear Neighbors,
November and December are months filled with gratitude, and this year we have so much for which to be thankful. Thanks to the dedication of our volunteers, the hard work of our staff, and the generosity of our donors, the Council has been able to make a meaningful impact in our community.
Thanksgiving
- 251 families picked up Thanksgiving ingredients from our food pantry
- 294 prepared Thanksgiving meals were delivered to families through our partnership with the Needham Golf Club
- Over 106 volunteers helped with Thanksgiving preparation
Giving Tuesday
- We exceeded our goal of raising $10,000, securing our Board Match with 57 generous donors making contributions.
Christmas Dinners
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Temple Beth Shalom is generously preparing 200 Christmas dinners
These accomplishments are a testament to the strength of our community and the incredible support we receive from neighbors like you. From all of us at the Needham Community Council, thank you for helping us bring joy, nourishment, and connection to so many in need this holiday season.
With gratitude,
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A Board Thank You
Thank you to all our neighbors that supported us during Giving Tuesday!
We exceeded our goal of raising $10,000, securing our Board Match with 57 generous donors.
We are thankful for all our neighbors who supported us last Tuesday as well as throughout the year. It takes a neighborhood!
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Welcome New Board Members
Please join us in welcoming Joan Halford, Avery Newton, Rajesh Thomas, Rob Ticktin, and Deb Tormey to the Community Council Board of Directors. We are excited for the energy, insight, and expertise they will bring to our work and our community.
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If you’re 70½ or older
Did you know if you’re 70½ or older, a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) is a simple and tax-smart way to support the Council or your favorite charity? A QCD lets you donate directly from your IRA to the Council—counting toward your required minimum distribution while potentially reducing your taxable income. It’s an easy way to make a meaningful difference in the community before year-end. The deadline for making a QCD from your IRA is 12/31/2025.
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The Season of Giving & Gratitude
We’re deeply thankful for the tremendous support from our community. Here are a few examples of how your kindness is making a real difference:
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Roche Brothers generously donated 300 ($25) gift cards for food pantry customers to purchase ingredients to make festive holiday meals
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North Hill residents are conducting a food drive and donating financially to the Holiday Hearts program
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The Cub Scouts conducted a food drive at Sudbury Farms and collected hundreds of pounds of food and $340 in donations
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The Norfolk Masonic Lodge donated 20 Christmas trees for our food pantry families
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A Needham family held a garage sale and donated $1,500 in proceeds to the Council
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Holiday Hearts
Holiday Hearts provides gift cards to our Food Pantry customers to purchase gifts for their loved ones during the holiday season.
The program will reach approximately 927 income-eligible Needham residents, 270 of whom are children under the age of 19.
Interested in Supporting?
- To give, visit: needhamcouncil.org/give
- Select Food Pantry from the options in the "Direct My Gift To" section
- Choose Holiday Hearts
Thank you for helping neighbors in need this holiday season!
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Christmas Dinners
With help from Temple Beth Shalom and Project Ezra, we have Christmas dinners available for delivery on Thursday, December 25th. Please call the office at (781) 444-2415 to reserve your dinner for 1-2 people. Please order by Thursday, December 18th.
We have a limited number of dinners available. Please call early to make a reservation.
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Party for the Pantry: March 28th
Mark your calendars! Party for the pantry is scheduled for March 28th, 2026!
Interested in helping plan the event? Please contact Maureen at mcallahan@needhamcouncil.org.
| | | Dementia Care Partners Support | | | |
Council's Memory Cafe
Join us for our fourth Memory Café, featuring conversation, light refreshments, and music with board-certified music therapist, Cheyenne Mize. Registration is requested but not required — all are welcome! To register, or for more information, please contact Program Manager, Stephanie Knoch at sknoch@needhamcouncil.org
Tuesday, December 23rd, 10:30 AM–12:00 PM, Needham Public Library
To learn more about the Council's Memory Cafes, click here.
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Dementia Friends Informational Sessions
Attend a free, one-hour session to learn more about dementia and how to better support those living with it. Open to the public. Please RSVP to Stephanie Knoch at sknoch@needhamcouncil.org, to receive the Zoom invitation.
Wednesday, January 14, via Zoom from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM
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📅 Mark Your 2026 Calendars:
Tutor Refresher Night
Wednesday, January 28th, 6:30–7:30pm
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Happy Holidays
Thank you, to the 80 active tutors and 177 registered ELLs, for a great 2025!
Enjoy the photo of the Beginning ELL students celebrating and learning about Thanksgiving!
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📅 Be on the Lookout
More Tech Classes
coming in January 2026
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Tech Assistance and Classes
Check out the most current Tech & Tutor technical assistance and class schedule with locations on our website.
| Contact Karen Zarrow, to schedule a 20-minute one-on-one help session at 781-444-2415 x2020 or email kzarrow@needhamcouncil.org if classes and tech assistance do not work with your schedule. | |
Tech Talks & Support in December
Led by Needham Highschoolers: Come for the Talk and Stay for the Support!
Wednesday 12/19 & Friday 12/21
Topic: Password Managers: A discussion about password managers available and how to best use them, followed by a support session.
Location for Tech Talks/Support
Center at the Heights, 300 Hillside Avenue, Room 207 3:15pm-4:15pm.
Bring your phone – computer – tablet and questions and the
Tech Teens will help you.
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A Holiday Boutique Thank You!
Thank you for your generous donations and for shopping with us! As of today, we raised over $10,714 at our annual Holiday Boutique.
We are so fortunate to have such wonderful donors and customers. All proceeds from the Council Thrift directly support the Needham Community Council programs.
A special thank you to Sindi Conroy for her time, dedication and talent merchandising the sale and turning the Council into a winter wonderland.
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Volunteer Spotlight
Sindi Conroy, AKA "Sindi Claus"
A huge thank you to our volunteer, Sindi Conroy, who, every year, turns our upstairs stock room into a winter wonderland for our Annual Holiday Boutique! Sindi has been sharing her talents with us for 16 years!! From the scent of cinnamon and pine wafting through the air to the gorgeous displays, Sindi checks every list twice and fills our hallways with festive décor and our hearts with holiday cheer!
| | Important Dates and Hours | | |
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Please Plan Accordingly for Holiday Schedule in December
December Holiday Schedule
Food Pantry & Council Thrift
The Food Pantry & Council Thrift will be closed at noon on Wednesday, Dec 24th and will re-open on Monday, Jan 5th.
Needham Community Council Offices
The office will be closed at noon on Wednesday, Dec 24th and will re-open on Friday, Jan 2nd.
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Council Thrift & Donation Hours
Monday 10 am - 4 pm
Tuesday & Thursday 10 am - 6 pm
Friday 10 am - 4 pm
Saturday 10 am - 2 pm
Closed Wednesday & Sunday
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Office
Monday - Friday
8:30 am - 4 pm
Closed Saturday & Sunday
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Needham Community Council
570 Hillside Avenue
Needham, MA 02494
781-444-2415
office@needhamcouncil.org
Connect with us
| | The Needham Community Council is a private 501(C)3 non-profit organization which supports people in Needham who have under-met health, educational or social needs, and promotes volunteerism, community and a sense of shared responsibility. | | | | |
