METHUEN — Foster Kids of the Merrimack Valley is seeking to anonymously match Santa's Helpers — individuals or groups from the community — with one or more foster children to help fulfill their Christmas wish lists by the annual Christmas party in early December.
Each year, the nonprofit looks to brighten the holiday season for foster kids and their foster parents with toys and clothing.
"The holidays are always difficult times for foster children, they often feel alone and disconnected from their families," said Larry Giordano, president and founder of the group. "We have high hopes that our community will step forward again and help support our local foster children and bring a smile to their faces again."
Last year, more than 140 children, from birth to age 18, and their parents received presents, Giordano said. Wish lists, complete with the gender and age of the child, will be distributed in November. Deadline to return gifts is Dec. 6.
To become a Santa's Helper, contact Eileen Giordano at 978-683-2220; Juliann Grant at 978-681-1600 or e-mail santashelper@fosterkidsmv.org.
The group is also seeking in-kind donations for the party of pizza, beverages, cookies, wrapping paper, holiday decorations, tape and more. Donations of money are accepted in lieu of receiving a Christmas wish list, and may be sent to Larry Giordano
Foster Kids of the Merrimack Valley Inc., 76 Bonanno Court, Methuen, MA 01844
Free fire hats for 100 kids
METHUEN — The Methuen Fire Department is hosting an open house Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the central station, 24 Lowell St.
The first 100 children to show up will receive fire hats, and everyone will enjoy free slices of Papa Gino's pizza, said fire Capt. Michael Boute.
Families are invited to tour the fire station and participate in fire safety activities.
The event recognizes October as National Fire Safety Month.
More information is available by calling the Fire Department at 978-983-8940.
Meeting set to discuss new riverside park
LAWRENCE — Residents are invited to a meeting to discuss the new Manchester Street park on Wednesday, beginning with a tour at 5 p.m.
Participants will then move to Malden Mills, 530 Broadway, to discuss plans for the park, part of the Spicket River Greenway.
The Manchester Street park site is a vacant 5-acre area, where the municipal incinerator was once located. It is located on the banks of Lawrence's 2.5-mile stretch of the Spicket River at Stevens Pond on the edge of the Arlington and Tower Hill neighborhoods.
Lawrence received $500,000 for final design and construction and $150,000 from Environmental Protection Agency Brownfields Cleanup Massachusetts.
Final design development and construction documents will be available soon. Construction is set to begin in the spring.
For information, contact Ellen Minzner in the Community Development Department at 978-620-3516.
Seniors sought for employment opportunity
LAWRENCE — Operation ABLE of Greater Boston is recruiting unemployed seniors ages 55 and older from Lawrence for its Senior Community Service Employment Program.
Participants work 20 hours weekly earning $8 per hour at a nonprofit organization or government agency in the local community.
For information, contact Susan Jepson, area supervisor at 617-542-4180, ext. 122 or call toll free at 1-888-470-2253, ext. 122.
The Service Employment Program offers paid, on-the-job training run by the U.S. Department of Labor that leads to unsubsidized employment.
