All Wayland High School juniors are invited to this event, whether they attend the prom or not. The event is produced with no charge to students to make attendance as easy as possible for this memorable night of entertainment, refreshments, activities and prizes.

The Late Night committee is looking for volunteers – anyone interested should please contact Late Night 2012 Committee Chairs Deb Mead or Susan Longfritz. Tax-deductible donations are also welcome. Please send donations via check payable to Wayland PTO and send to JoAnn Leavitt, 9 Woodridge Road, Wayland MA 01778, or feel free to visit the Wayland PTO website to make an online donation.

With a new season just a few short months away, WayCo Amateur Sports Development, Inc., – whose cornerstone program is the WayCo Softball League – announces its recent charitable donations.  The non-profit organization donated a total of $2,250 in 2011 to eight different recipients.

A successful summer raffle and individual donations meant WayCo was able to top the previous three seasons in donations. Since its formation in 2008, WayCo has donated $6,275 to 12 different causes.  Donations are made in honor of Daniel G. Burgess, one of four co-founders of the successful softball league. He passed away at age 20 in 2008, and the league is carried on in his memory.

Recipients in 2011 were: Daniel G. Burgess Memorial Scholarship at Good Shepherd Parish, the Wayland High School Football Program, Parmenter Food Pantry, Wayland Pop Warner Football, the Lauren Astley Memorial Fund, and the Wayland METCO Program.  In addition, donations were also made to the Wayland High School Athletics Department and the James Griffin Family Fund.

Several of the donations were made with specific purposes identified.  For example, the donation to the food pantry is used to purchase gift cards to a local grocery story; these are given to families during the holiday season. The high school athletic department was given money to help individual students needing anything from basketball shoes to hockey skates or to help with fees for camps or clinics.  A donation to the METCO program was earmarked for families in need during the holidays. WayCo also chose to support the James Griffin Family Fund, which was established in support of late Wayland High School guidance counselor Jim Griffin, who was very special to so many of WayCo’s players.

WayCo’s Board of Directors is especially thankful to Olivia Hanlon, Wayland High School 2011, and Maeve Moynihan, a current senior, for volunteering their time to sell raffle tickets at several venues throughout the summer.

An ambitious Crafts/Bake Sale fundraiser at Claypit Hill School BASE – that raised nearly $600 – will have far-reaching effects this year as it boosts the efforts of a Central American orphanage rescuing orphaned children from the streets of Guatemala. 

For several weeks this fall, Claypit Hill School students attending the after-school program created duct tape bracelets, hand-painted candy pots, stained glass sun catchers, stuffed animals, and decorative trivets. They decorated gingerbread cookies to sell and on the two sale days, their parents brought in freshly made popcorn, chocolate brownies, and homemade oatmeal bread. 

With the preparations finished and their wares on display for the Claypit Hill community, the children spent two December afternoons happily selling a wealth of items.  Thanks to the support of the Claypit Hill community, the BASE program is donating $576 to the Fundanina Orphanage in Guatemala.

Site Coordinator Sue Schaufeld credits the support of the Claypit Hill staff and parents for the annual event’s success.  “We’re delighted with the results this year, knowing we will have an impact on young children’s lives in Guatemala,” Schaufeld said.

The orphanage’s mission is to help young children who have been living on the streets and have been victimized or abused. In the past 14 years, the orphanage has rescued more than 130 children from the streets, and around 100 have been adopted by American families.  Andrew Harris, a Claypit Hill and BASE staff member, suggested the orphanage as this year’s recipient. He became familiar with its works when he resided in Guatemala for three years; his wife is from Guatemala.   “My mother-in-law has volunteered at Fundanina for more than a decade and sponsors three girls who live there,” he explained. 

Fundanina’s goals include keeping siblings together, seeing that children are cared for lovingly, and ensuring that their lives are changed for good.  Thanks to the Claypit Hill BASE program’s successful fundraiser and the Claypit community’s support, Fundanina Orphanage will be supported in its mission.

This post was submitted by Yogareachesout.

• Free swimming, tennis and exercises classes all day.
• Children’s activities for ages 3 to 12, and lunch from 9 a.m. to noon (pizzas donated by Sudbury Pizza)
• Trifecta class (floor hockey, basketball and soccer) for ages 8 to 11 from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.
• Basketball for high school and college students from 2 to 4:30 p.m.
• Teen nutrition tips from 10 to 11 a.m.
• A special dance party from 5 to 7 p.m. with DJ Sam Seng · Door prizes

and many other activities

Whole Foods Market in Wayland partnered with the B.A.S.E students from Claypit Hill Elementary School to raise funds for Whole Planet Foundation. The students learned about microcredit and the organization during a visit to their afterschool program from Jaimee Rondeau, Whole Foods Market Team Leader and Whole Planet Foundation volunteer. Over 25 kids worked to create their vision of a “whole planet” and created globes to represent the Foundation. These globes are on sale at Whole Foods Market until December 31 for $3 and 100% of the proceeds will fund microloans in developing countries where Whole Foods Market sources products. 

At the end of December, the total number of dollars raised will be calculated and presented to Whole Planet Foundation as a gift from the Claypit Hill students. Please help support this program by visiting Whole Foods Market in Wayland and purchasing one of these “whole planets.” 

Whole Planet Foundation's mission is to create economic partnerships with the poor in developing-world communities through innovative assistance for entrepreneurship, including direct micro-credit loans and tangible support for community projects.  Microloans are small loans – generally $200 or less – requiring no collateral or contract. They are offered to the poorest of the poor, usually women, to finance self-employment projects that will generate sustainable income to lift their families out of poverty. 

For more information about Whole Planet Foundation visit: www.wholeplanetfoundation.org

Massachusetts Vest-a-Dog, Inc. announces their 2012 calendar, featuring Massachusetts police dogs, from Plymouth County Sheriff’s Department, as well as Medford Police Department, Wareham Police Department, Massachusetts Environmental Police and Massachusetts State Police, is now available at all Especially for Pets locations; in Wayland at 44 Main ST/RT 27 and online for a $10 donation.  Proceeds from the calendars will support Massachusetts police dogs, by helping provide bulletproof vests, essential equipment, training and dogs.

Preview the calendar on the organization’s website, www.mavestadog.org   As the exclusive photographer for the calendar, Jonathan Kozowyk donned a wetsuit, scooched, kneeled, laid on the ground, squeezed himself into corners, and climbed up/around/over all sorts of obstacles.  His extraordinary efforts successfully captured K-9s (and their handlers) at work.

“Your donation of $10 for a calendar truly helps make a difference to these hard-working dogs, who provide tremendously valuable services to keep our communities safe.  Donations of any amount, as well as volunteer assistance, is welcome.  We extend thanks to Especially for Pets for offering our calendars.  Last year’s Especially for Pets stores calendar proceeds provided a bullet/stab-protective vest for K-9 Nero of the Bedford Veteran’s Administration Police,” notes Kathy Hinds, Massachusetts Vest-a-Dog President.

Hinds continues, “Since 2000, through donor’s generosity and tireless volunteer efforts, we’ve provided over 300 bulletproof vests, at a cost of up to $2400.  We’ve replaced over 100 warranty-expired vests.  We’re finally at the point of vesting new K-9s as they become certified.”  

Ken Ballinger, Assistant Deputy Superintendent of the Plymouth County Sheriff's Department K-9 Program, explains, “Our goal is to use a vest on the K-9 when there’s a known threat, such as a gun or knife, with the most common threat being a knife or a blunt object.  The vest also prevents puncture injuries from objects like a stick or a rusty fence, while on a track.  K-9 vests continue to evolve with handler input and in consideration of new technology (like K-9 video cameras).  The vests are lighter, more flexible, and ergonomic.”

“We recently expanded our mission to provide support for essential equipment, training & dogs for police / law enforcement programs throughout Massachusetts,” said Hinds, “in response to donors, supporters and volunteers who have asked "what else can we do?"  as well as K9 handlers who have more frequently noted the fragility of their K9 budgets; lack of funding for essential K9 equipment (hot & pop units, bite sleeves/suits, cruiser kennels, etc.), specialized training, and the ultimate 'big ticket item' – the purchase of a dog.  We’re offering a bi-annual grant process, with the first grant requests due on December 15.  Handlers, K-9 trainers and police departments have already made inquiries about submitting grant requests for everything from cruiser kennels, cruiser heat detector/remote door popper units, specialized SWAT K-9 equipment, general K-9 training equipment, to funds to purchase a dog to be trained as a K-9.”

“Pitching in to support Massachusetts police dogs is the least we can do, providing what’s needed for these 4-legged fuzzy officers, as they help keep everyone safe, bring home lost family members, help find evidence that convicts criminals. They put their life on the line, but still at the end of the day, they enjoy the work that they do,”  explains Diane Whittaker, Board Member and Clerk of Massachusetts Vest-a-Dog, who has worked as a Certified Veterinary Technician for 25-plus years (almost twenty at New England Animal Medical Center in West Bridgewater), “Volunteering with Massachusetts Vest-a-Dog has broadened the scope of how I could help these outstanding police dogs.”

Also available online are “Special Edition: Massachusetts State Police” 2012 calendars, Tshirts, hats, dog tags and window decals.

Donations may be sent directly to Massachusetts Vest-a-Dog, Inc, PO BOX 48 Walpole MA  02081.  For more information, please call 508-668-7149 or visit their website at www.mavestadog.org

# # # 

ABOUT:  Massachusetts Vest-a-Dog, Inc. is an independent, all-volunteer, non-profit 501(c)3 organization, recently expanding it's mission, to Support Massachusetts Police Dogs, by helping provide vests (continuing to be our primary goal), essential equipment, training & dogs; in response to K9 handlers who have often noted the fragility of their K9 budgets, & lack of funding for other K9 equipment (hot & pop units, bite sleeves/suits, kennels when the cruiser type changed, etc.), as well as specialized training, & the ultimate 'big ticket item' – the purchase of a dog.  Donors, supporters & volunteers have often asked "what else can we do?"  We are building on 11 year of success: since 2000, because of generous support from donors and tireless efforts of our volunteers, Massachusetts Vest-a-Dog is proud to have provided over 300 bulletproof vests to the following Massachusetts law enforcement agencies: local police departments, county sheriff’s departments, State Police, Department of Corrections, MBTA Transit Police, Environmental Police, Department of Developmental Services, USAF – Hanscom AFB, USCG – Gloucester & Hull.  We earnestly work to provide vests to Massachusetts K-9s without a vest, and to replace K-9 vests we originally provided, as the vests' warranty expires after 5 years. A bulletproof K9 vest ranges from $735 to $2400 each, and will also protect K-9s against blunt force trauma from being kicked, punched, or struck with an object, like a bat. 

Brown, now 13, was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at the age of 6. She was asked by the Joslin Diabetes Center to record a music video (shown here on YouTube) and to perform her song live at the annual High Hopes gala.

The evening’s other performer was Crystal Bowersox, runner-up on season 9 of “American Idol.” She was also diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at the age of 6 and is now 26 years old.

Brown, now 13, was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at the age of 6. She was asked by the Joslin Diabetes Center to record a music video (shown here on YouTube) and to perform her song live at the annual High Hopes gala.

The evening’s other performer was Crystal Bowersox, runner-up on season 9 of “American Idol.” She was also diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at the age of 6 and is now 26 years old.

“Buying Christmas trees from Boy Scouts at a church,” said Matt Karpacz, chairman of Boy Scout Troop 1. “If that’s not Christmas, what is?”

For many years, Boy Scout Troop 1 has sold trees from the side lot of Community United Methodist Church on Main Street in Cochituate. The sale opened last weekend, Dec. 2, and will continue until Dec. 18 or until the last tree is sold, whichever comes first.

Karpacz said the troop ordered 326 Balsam firs from Nova Scotia this year along with many more wreaths than last year. The trees range from “Charlie Browns” to more than 10-feet tall. Prices range from $25-$65

A holiday musical message from Golden Tones chorus: 

“Deck the halls with rafters ringing, with our jolly songs for ev’ry crowd.
Help us carry on our program, with resounding voices clear and loud…”

Your generous support, Wayland citizens and music lovers, has helped the Golden Tones chorus carry on its mission for 23 years!  We bring joyful music to where it is needed in the community.  This month they will perform 10 holiday concerts for seniors who no longer get out and about.  Experience their music yourself – visit www.goldentones.org and enjoy their latest videos!

They need your help to continue this outreach; please consider adding Golden Tones to your holiday gift list.  You can donate online from their home page, or send your tax-deductible gift, payable to Golden Tones, 41 Cochituate Road, Wayland, MA 01778.

Look for the Golden Tones in your neighborhood, supporting our senior community and showing younger generations that older people can do extraordinary things!

Thank you, 
the 70 voices of Golden Tones chorus, a Wayland treasure since 1988