January 08, 2009 04:59 am
Blood drive at temple is Jan. 13
The American Red Cross is asking people to start a new tradition-giving blood.
Residents can visit the American Red Cross blood drive at Temple Emanuel, 7 Haggetts Pond Road, Andover, on Tuesday, Jan. 13. Donor hours are from 2 to 7 p.m. and all blood types are needed.
Less than 5 percent of people who are eligible to donate blood actually do and blood donations are always especially needed around the holiday, the Red Cross reports.
For more information, call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE of visit www.givelife.org
Learn artistic paper cutting
On Sunday, Jan. 18, the Andovers Artists Guild will host a paper-cutting demonstration by Boston artist Leslie A. Miller.
The demonstration will be held at the North Parish Church in North Andover, at the corner of Academy and Great Pond roads from 2 to 4 p.m.
For more information call 978-683-2345. Meetings are free to members. Guest donation of $2 is suggested.
Thin Mint season
Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts announces that it is cookie time again. The annual Girl Scout cookie sale kicked off in eastern Massachusetts on Monday, Jan. 5, and will conclude on Sunday, March 15. Girl Scouts will sell cookies in the community outside stores and at people's houses. This year Girl Scout cookies will include Thin Mints, Caramel deLites, Peanut Butter Patties, Shortbread, Peanut Butter Sandwiches, Lemonades, Thanks-A-Lot and the brand new Daisy Go Rounds, in honor of having Daisy Girl Scouts sell Girl Scout cookies for the first time.
Computer workshops for elders
Elder Services of the Merrimack Valley Inc. located at 360 Merrimack St., Lawrence is now accepting registration for its fall computer classes and workshops beginning the week of Jan. 5.
Earn Jewish Scouting Award
All levels of Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Venturers, are encouraged to earn their Jewish Scouting Award. Everyone is welcome, regardless of religion affiliation.
A special program is being held on Sunday, Jan. 11 and Feb. 1 from 12:30 to 3 p.m. at Congregation Beth Israel, 501 South Main St., Andover. Organizers will use the programs set by the National Jewish Scouting Councils (see www.jewishscouting.org/ http://www.njgsc.org/).
The awards ceremony will be at a Scout Shabbat Dinner and Service, Friday Feb. 6 from 6 to 8:30 p.m.
The program is being facilitated by Jacqui Kamlet, leader of West Elementary Troop 60156 and Len Kamlet, Cubmaster for Andover Pack 77.
There is a registration fee of $18. Scouts who would like to participate in the workshop must contact Jacqui Kamlet at jkamlet@comcast.net or 978-409-1944. Please let organizers know of any allergies when registering.
January health clinics
The Andover Health Department will offer mini clinics on Monday, Jan. 12 from 2 to 3 p.m. at Andover Commons, and on Monday, Jan. 26 from 1 to 2 p.m. at Frye Circle. Senior-center clinics will be held 2 to 3 p.m. each Wednesday, Jan, 14, 21 and 28. No appointment is necessary.
Junior Achievement, Merrimack College partner for student program
Junior Achievement of Eastern Massachusetts announces a new partnership with Merrimack College's Girard School of Business and International Commerce to offer the JA Academy program. This program is an opportunity for North Shore high school students who are interested in leadership and business to come together after school for hands-on business application. The JA Academy at Merrimack College will be an educational experience that will help students take hold of their future, follow their dreams and pursue success. Students run their own company and sell products with the help of business professionals and college students. This mentor team guides students as they address business ethics, teamwork, leadership skills and goal setting, while handling the day-to-day operations of their venture. JA Academy alumna Linda Zheng said, "The exposure we were given and the numerous meetings we've had with impressive, knowledgeable and helpful business figures make this program an incredible experience."
Merrimack College of North Andover joins Northeastern University, Boston University, Boston College, MIT, UMass Lowell, Babson College, Curry College and Suffolk University in hosting the JA Academy.
The JA Academy at Merrimack College will be held weekly from January to April. Motivated high school students interested in learning about business and entrepreneurship are encouraged to apply. For information and registration, visit us online at www.jaem.org.
More seniors need food help:
The elderly are applying for food assistance in greater numbers according to Project Bread, the state's leading antihunger organization. From August to October, Project Bread's FoodSource Hotline prescreened 2,730 elder households for food stamps, which represented an 850 percent increase from the same period in 2007 when there were 321 senior prescreenings. The average benefit for an elderly person is $120 per month from food stamps — the federal program renamed SNAP.
The reasons for the marked increase in calls from seniors for food stamps are many: Escalating food costs and worry about increased taxes are causing those on fixed incomes to seek help, aggressive outreach by Project Bread through the Massachusetts Councils on Aging; and the fact that the Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance and Governor Patrick's Administration have made the program more user friendly, according to a release from Project Bread. The FoodSource Hotline 1-800-645-8333 not only helps seniors complete their application forms but it answers questions about hunger and food relief in 160 languages. For more information and statistics about the FoodSource Hotline, the 2008 Status Report on Hunger, or Project Bread, e call 617-239-2524.
Ring in the New Year with new experience - The Fresh Air Fund
The Fresh Air Fund is asking Andover families to make a New Year's resolution that could benefit the entire family for years to come: volunteer. Close to 5,000 New York City children visit volunteer host families, including families in Andover, for up to two weeks every summer through The Fund's Friendly Town program in communities from Virginia to Maine and into Canada.
Since 1877, New York City children growing up in low-income neighborhoods have experienced simple summer pleasures in rural and suburban communities through The Fresh Air Fund. By welcoming visitors into their homes during the summer, host families give Fresh Air children a break from the sometimes dangerous, hot and crowded city streets.
For more information on hosting a Fresh Air child, please contact Mary Carroll at 978-975-4182 or The Fresh Air Fund at 800-367-0003. You can also visit The Fund's Web site at www.freshair.org to read testimonials of families who have experienced the joys of hosting a Fresh Air child.
Friends in Deed
Elder Services of the Merrimack Valley is offering to train volunteers to help the elderly in the community as part of the "Friends-in-Deed" program. Volunteers
are trained as companions, food shoppers, and drivers to medical appointments and errands. Training for drivers is Wednesday, Jan. 28, or Wednesday, Feb. 4. Training for medical advocates who champion issues for elders in nursing homes is being offered Wednesday, Feb. 4. All trainings begin at 10 a.m. at the Elder Services offices, 360 Merrimack St., Building 5, Lawrence. Friends-in-Deed, which is a special program under the umbrella of Elder Services, strives to increase the socialization of older residents who are trying to retain their independence and remain in their own homes. Elder Services helps aging adults throughout the Merrimack Valley with a host of services, programs and basic necessities from prescription medications and eye glasses to fuel assistance and groceries in support of their choice to remain self-sufficient. ESMV offers a mileage reimbursement along with orientation, training and ongoing support for each role.
Contact Gerry Proulx of Elder Services at 978-946-1445 for reservations.
Renew your dog's license
Dog license renewal notices have been sent to resident dog owners. Dog tags for 2009 are available at the town clerk's office for the cost of $14 per license.
The months of January and February are the dog license renewal period. An administrative fee will begin March 1. According to Town Meeting bylaw, any dog licensed after February will include a cumulative administrative fee of $5 per month.
Residents may renew their dog's registration at the town clerk's office from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. They can also register through the mail by sending a check payable to the town of Andover for $14 and a current rabies certificate to the town clerk's office, 36 Bartlet St., Andover, MA 01810.
For information, call the town clerk's office at 978-623-8257.
Run for Lazarus House
Lazarus House seeks sponsorship, runners for 2009 Boston Marathon team
As part of the official charity program of the Boston Marathon, Lazarus House of Lawrence is seeking to add financial and product sponsorship as part of its fundraising efforts to benefit its food pantry. Last year's team efforts collected more than $125,000, which helped many families within the Merrimack Valley community.
The program consists of more than 20 selected runners who in exchange for raising a minimum of $3,000 received a waiver to run in the Boston Marathon. Qualified runners are welcome to join the team for a minimum fundraising effort of $500 per member. Runners receive personalized coaching, optional weekly workouts, running product, bus to race start and organized motivational and information meetings. Local bussinesses and individuals seeking to be part of this important community program can contact program xoordinator Susan Hurley at marathon@LazarusHouse.org or call Lazarus House at 978-685-8575.
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Project Bread's Hotline Assisting Greater Numbers of Elderly
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