The Samaritans of Merrimack Valley is issuing a plea for volunteers to handle calls to its listening service.
Many people need someone to listen to them in times of crisis. Volunteers are needed, not to judge or offer advice, but simply to listen.
An introductory training session will be held Feb. 1, 3, 8 and 10, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Volunteers must attend all four sessions. More information is available by calling Debbie at 978-327-6671.
Andover celebrates Zip Code Day
ANDOVER — Today is Zip Code Day in Andover.
The town's zip code, 01810, coincides with 01/8/10, or January 8, 2010.
Residents Joseph and Ariel Kuykendall, 15 and 18, are credited with bringing today's unique circumstances to local attention, after hearing their grandmother describe a similar celebration in her town several years ago.
The idea of Zip Code Day grabbed the interest of Selectman Mary Lyman earlier this week. She has encouraged residents to wear the town's colors, blue and gold, to school and work in recognition of the day.
Nonprofits launch mentoring consortium
LAWRENCE — Ten nonprofits in Greater Lawrence have joined forces to create The Lawrence Mentoring Consortium, a collaboration to increase and improve youth mentoring services in the city.
The consortium is being launched this month, in conjuction with National Mentoring Month. Together, the 10 groups that form the consortium support more than 1,000 youth and adult mentor matches.
Going forward, the consortium will serve as an information clearinghouse for all mentoring activities in Lawrence. It will also collect and share data on the benefits of mentoring to adults, youth and the community.
"Each mentoring program in the city caters to a specific age group and has specific goals and objectives" said Leah Feroce, Big Friends Little Friends program coordinator at Family Service Inc. and co-chairman of the consortium. "And volunteer mentors will have a better experience and be more successful if they can find the program that best suits them. Our job is to help make the connection."
For information on becoming a mentor or the LMC, contact Feroce at lferoce@familyserviceinc.com or call 978-327-6640.
'Snow-bound' weekend returns Jan. 16, 17
HAVERHILL — People can experience a re-creation of life in the early 19th century when the trustees of John Greenleaf Whittier Birthplace host Snow-Bound Weekend on Jan. 16 and 17 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Quaker poet's birthplace, 305 Whittier Road.
Visitors can feel the warmth from the poet's farmhouse hearth and enjoy the scent of apples roasting by the fire while listening to excerpts from "Snow-Bound," Whittier's famous poem set in Haverhill.
Actors will don full period dress to recreate scenes from the poet and abolitionist's work.
Visitors can enjoy hot apple cider while listening to music and poetry in the warmth of the shoe shop. Sleigh rides will be offered.
Admission is $8 for adults and $5 for senior citizens and children under 14. Parking is free, with shuttle service available from Francis H. Maroney Inc. and Biggart's Ice Cream on Route 110, off Exit 52 of Interstate 495. Whittier Road, which will be closed to traffic, is off of Route 110. More information is available by calling Elinor Curtin-Cameron at 978-372-2325 or visiting birthplace@johngreenleafwhittier.com.
New members elected to YMCA boards
The Merrimack Valley YMCA elected a new board of trustees and a new board of directors at its 130th annual meeting recently.
The three new trustees are: Sheila M. Doherty, president of Doherty Insurance Agency, Andover; Rabbi Robert Goldstein of Temple Emmanuel in Andover; and Jay Karamourtopoulos of Methuen.
New directors are: Deborah K. Hope of North Andover; Suzanne Kavanaugh, director of Philips Healthcare, Andover; Cheryl K. Neal, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Liberty Life Assurance Company, Andover; Lester P. Schindel, president of Holy Family Hospital, Methuen; and Michael Sullivan, the former mayor of Lawrence.
The role of YMCA policy volunteers is to provide leadership, guidance and financial support to the organization as it works to provide programs and services to youth and families of the Merrimack Valley area.
Political campaigns 101
NORTH ANDOVER — Considering a run for political office in 2010? Here's something you won't want to miss.
The Andover/North Andover League of Women Voters and the Andover and North Andover town clerk's offices are hosting a seminar Jan. 13 for office seekers. Information on how to run for elected office, nomination papers and campaign finance reporting will be offered. The seminar will be at North Andover Town Hall, starting at 6:30 p.m. For more information call 978-623-8259 or visit clerk@andoverma.gov.
