Santa Parade today
HAVERHILL — One of Haverhill's great traditions, the 44th annual VFW Santa Parade, steps off today at 1 p.m. The parade will march along Route 125, from Bradford to Haverhill.
The final fundraiser will take place during the parade when the traditional money blanket collective drive takes place.
This year's event is projected to cost $40,000. To date, the Parade Committee has raised about $28,000. The parade is funded entirely through public support.
For more information, call the VFW Santa Parade at 978-373-3777, or check out the new Web site at www.vfwsantaparade.com.
Betsy Conte Food Drive
HAVERHILL — The Greater Haverhill Hunger Roundtable will conduct the 10th annual Betsy Conte Food Drive during today's VFW Santa Parade. The food drive celebrates the memory of Betsy Conte, former Haverhill city councilor, community activist and certified public accountant.
Food drive volunteers donate all items collected during the parade to six food pantries that serve needy residents in Haverhill.
The need for donated food has increased dramatically this year, as many local food pantries have seen their case load increase by up to 30 percent, said Bill LaPierre, the acting chairman of the Greater Haverhill Hunger Roundtable.
Spectators are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items to the parade. Paper and hygiene products are also needed. The donated items are placed on wagons pulled by Haverhill Cub Scout Pack 27, which brings the food to large farm wagons to be sorted.
At the end of the parade, all of the donated food is brought to the Salvation Army, where it is prepared for distribution to area food pantries.
Heavy duty bags with handles, provided by Pentucket Bank, are available at E-Z Way Cleaners, Pentucket Bank, Haverhill Beef, Community Action and the Haverhill Public Library. Residents who want to donate food items may use the bags or their own bags or boxes on the day of the parade.
For more information, call Bill Lapierre at 978-373-1281, or Richard Lynch at 978-373-1971.
Holiday reception at Winnekenni Castle
HAVERHILL — Calling all floral shops and greenhouses.
The Winnekenni Foundation is planning its first-ever Holiday Reception at the castle Dec. 11, from 6 to 8:30 p.m., and is seeking area florists to decorate the castle during December and be featured guests and displayers at the reception.
If any florists or greenhouse keepers are interested in participating, contact the Winnekenni Castle at 978-521-1686, or by e-mail at winnekenni@yahoo.com.
Santa needs a few good elves
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 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 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.
