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February 2025
NEEDHAM COMMUNITY COUNCIL NEWS
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For over 90 years, the Council has been supporting people in Needham who have under-met needs. I have been the Executive Director for 23 years, and reading the thank you note (see below) from a food pantry customer, embodies why I enjoy coming to work every day and why I am grateful for the community in which I work and live.
Dear Friends,
I want to express my deepest gratitude to everyone who has generously contributed to helping my family and all the families in need. Your kindness and support mean the world to us.
Because of your generosity, our children can experience the joy of childhood. They now have the opportunity to attend the activities and clubs they love so much, which brings them immense happiness. You are not just donating but building a brighter future for so many people!
Thank you for making us feel the unwavering support of our community. It is incredibly important and gives us the strength to move forward, with the hope that one day we can be part of a group of people who can help others in return.
May God bless and protect you and your families. You are truly making miracles happen!
With huge appreciation,
Food Pantry Customer and Scholarship Recipient
With Gratitude,
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Party For the Pantry
The Needham Community Council is excited to bring back Party for the Pantry to raise critical funds and awareness for its food pantry. The Council serves over 375 Needham households, including 800 residents. The event will be held on Saturday, March 29th from 7:00 to 11:00 pm at Powers Hall (at Needham Town Hall). The Council is seeking sponsors and invites individuals to purchase tickets and attend this fun event. Included will be good food catered by Forklift Catering, free libations, a live auction, and live music from local band, The Tear Downs. Check out the event site to purchase tickets and learn more information about sponsorship opportunities.
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Community Partnerships
We are so grateful to the individuals and organizations from our community who reach out and want to help the Council. Since 2020 Mike Fanning has picked up Christmas trees from residents in exchange for a donation to the Council. With its 5th year just wrapping up, Mike finished this season by picking up 15 trees, resulting in $485 being donated to the Council. Thank you, Mike!
Our Tech and Tutors Program has partnered with technology clubs at Needham High School to create the Tech Teens program, where students tutor older adults about technology. Students also host lectures on different topics of interest twice per month at the Council on Aging and offer one-on-one tech support at the Needham Public Library. We are grateful to these teens for giving back to their community in this way! To learn more about program offerings and dates, click here.
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English Language Learning | | |
Class Updates
The beginner class at the Council with Kimberly starts on February 6th. This Tuesday and Thursday night class is designed to teach students with very little English skills and prepare them to work with a volunteer tutor.
The Needham Housing Authority invited the ELL program to teach on-site in their Community Room to meet the needs of residents who want to learn English but are without transportation access. We are proud to announce that ELL is at Linden & Chambers on Monday afternoons. Kimberly is teaching a group of residents with no English skills and Harding is working with learners at the intermediate level. Thank you, everyone.
Knitters are gathering. Beginning on February 5th, ELLs and tutors who knit will meet on Wednesday from 4:00 to 5:30 pm to practice English conversation. Come join us!
Tutor Training begins in April. Being an ELL tutor is fun and rewarding and the need is great! If you are interested in becoming a volunteer tutor, sign up for our next training session: April 2nd, 9th and 16th from 6:30 to 8:00 pm at the Council.
To register for any ELL programs, email ELL Program Manager Sheila Roberts at sroberts@needhamcouncil.org.
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Save the Dates - Next Mindful Community Events
March 5th – Emotions 101: Helping your child name and navigate emotions with Deborah Farmer Kris, Child Development Expert & Author
About: For parents and caregivers of preschool, elementary school, and younger middle school-aged children. Kris will discuss practical advice for supporting kids in navigating their feelings and building emotional awareness, social competency, and resilience. The registration link can be found here.
March 20th – Book club for Fourteen Talks by Age Fourteen: The Essential Conversations You Need to Have with Your Kids Before They Start High School, a book by Michelle Icard. For parents and caregivers of 3rd-9th graders, this book club meeting is brought to the community in preparation for Michelle Icard’s presentation on April 2nd. The registration link can be found here.
April 2nd – Essential Parenting Conversations and How to Have Them with Michelle Icard. For parents and caregivers of 3rd-9th graders. The registration link can be found here.
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Technical Assistance
Please see the schedule for February:
CENTER AT THE HEIGHTS
- Tuesdays, 2:00 to 3:00 pm (Bruce)
- Thursdays, 1:00 to 3:00 pm (Stefano) Stefano will be away on January 29th and February 5th. There will be a backup person on those days.
NEEDHAM HOUSING AUTHORITY
- Linden/Chambers – Wednesday, February 19th, 2:00 to 3:00 pm
- Seabed’s Way – Wednesday, February 26th 2:00 to 3:00 pm
If you can’t attend a session at the COA or Needham Housing Authority, please contact Karen Zarrow, Tech & Tutors Program Manager, at the Council at 781-444-2415 x2020 or email Karen at kzarrow@needhamcouncil.org.
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Technology Lectures & Support
Teens from the Needham High School Technology Club offer technology lectures and technology support sessions twice a month.
Next Tech Talks:
Streaming Media Services
Learn about using Netflix, Prime Video, Hulu, etc.
Wednesday, Feb 12th, 3:15 to 4:15 pm at the CATH, 300 Hillside Avenue, Room 207.
Space Exploration
Learn about technology used for the exploration of outer space
Wednesday, Feb 26th, 3:15 to 4:15 pm at the CATH, 300 Hillside Avenue, Room 207.
Next Support Sessions:
Saturday, Feb 15th and March 1st, 10:00 am to 12:00 pm at the Needham Public Library, Study Room 1.
More information can be found on our website.
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Jewelry Sale
Feb 6th, 7th and 8th
Need to buy a little bling to say, “You make my heart sing?”
But, you don’t want to pay a price that will make your heart stop?!
Then, come to The Council Thrift’s jewelry sale for 50% off All Jewelry!*
* unless noted
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Spin-a-Heart Sale
Feb 13th and 14th
Spend, Spin, Save and Support! Last month the Wheel was Wicked but this month the Wheel is full of Hearts and Savings! Everyone who shops on Feb. 13 and 14 can spin the wheel at point of purchase and win a discount off their purchase total.
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Happy VOLUNtines Day!
We ♥ our Volunteers! The Council could not serve our community without our 250 volunteers! We have volunteers working in our Thrift Store serving customers, sorting through donations, pricing sale items, etc. We have volunteers in our Food Pantry who unload 7,000 pounds of food from the Greater Boston Food Bank, distribute food to customers in the pantry and/or make home deliveries to isolated customers. We have ELL tutors and tech tutors who help residents who are new to the English language or the smart-phone language. They do it for the love of the community so we want to show them love back! If you want to share a thoughtful message about a program or volunteer, please click on the link below and share your comment(s). We will share them on our VOLUNtine wall and social media.
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Monthly Volunteer Spotlight
We are truly grateful for the kind, thoughtful, and professional efforts of our volunteer community—without them, the work we do wouldn’t be possible. We value and appreciate the contributions of every volunteer who gives their time and energy to serve the community.
This month, we’d like to shine a spotlight on student volunteers, Andrew and Zheydan. These two have been an incredible help, spending their Mondays after school restocking and organizing our Food Pantry shelves and preparing for Tuesday’s food deliveries to our home-bound pantry customers, who rely on us for support.
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Hours and Important Dates | | |
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Thrift Store & Donations:
Closed Saturday, February 15th & Monday, February 17th for Presidents Day.
Food Pantry and Offices:
Closed on Monday, February 17th for Presidents Day.
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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
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Office Hours
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
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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. | | | | |
