All posts by Polly Walker

Bid on your favorite Christmas tree today through Dec. 5

Annual auction supporting Friends of the Homeless is NOW! 

The Festival of Trees has gone virtual this year, so it’s easier than ever to place and track your bids! Just go to their auction site to view the trees and other gifts and place your bid.

Each year the Hingham Women’s Club hosts this cheer-filled event to raise mission critical funds for the Friends of the Homeless of the South Shore and the Hingham Women’s Club Scholarship fund.

You’re invited to browse through more than 30 beautifully decorated trees, buy a gift for yourself or a loved one, and support our efforts in the community you call home.

Thank you in advance for your support!!

And have a wonderful holiday!

Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus AND a Christmas Giving Program this year!

We’ll be collecting gift bundles starting Dec. 3

More than 120 years ago, a touching and now famous editorial appeared in The New York Sun assuring young Virginia that there truly was a Santa Claus.

We are delighted today to announce an equally important message to all of our friends and neighbors on the South Shore: There IS a Christmas Giving Program this year!

With the help of generous donors and volunteers like you, we can again bring the joy of Christmas to hundreds of children and their families in shelters or temporary housing on the South Shore.

New location and new rules keep everyone safe

The Friends of the Homeless Christmas Giving Shoppe will be open from Dec. 3 to Dec. 23, 2020, from Noon to 6 pm, Mon.- Sat. Once again, our tireless volunteers will be at the Shoppe on those days to receive and send out hundreds of bundles of gifts purchased and wrapped by generous donors.

At the same time, to keep everyone safe in a COVID-19 world, we’ll be making big changes to our Christmas Giving program. For example:

  • We have a new mobile phone number for all calls and texts to the Shoppe: 781-901-2256. If you prefer to send us an email, our new address is fhsschristmasshoppe@gmail.com
  • We are moving the Shoppe location to the House of Prayer Lutheran Church at 916 Main Street (Rte. 228) in Hingham, Mass. (Our sincere thanks to Pastor Susan Henry for hosting us this year!)
  • The Shoppe’s official hours will be limited to Noon to 6 daily, to accommodate reduced staffing.
  • We’ll be observing strict protocols that limit the number of visitors to the Shoppe at one time and require the use of masks, gloves, and proper social distancing.
  • We are scheduling specific times for all who come to the Shoppe to volunteer, donate, or pick up gift bundles.

For those who have already signed up to help, including families, friends, neighborhoods, churches, businesses, schools, or community groups, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your willingness to share in the Giving Program again this year.

If you’d still like to donate or volunteer

Please call or text our dedicated cell phone number, 781-901-2256, for  more information. If you prefer to send a note, our new email address is fhsschristmasshoppe@gmail.com

We’re grateful to have the help of so many generous donors and volunteers again this year as we work together to bring the joy of the holiday season to families on the South Shore. We know it will brighten your holidays — and theirs!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all!

Dorothy Newell and the Christmas Shoppe Team

 

Calling all Shaw’s Stamp Collectors! The deadline is Dec. 13th.

Based on the success of their stamp collection campaign last fall, Judith Patt and the members of the Promise Church in Weymouth are at it again this year. They are collecting and redeeming extra stamps from the annual Shaw’s Supermarket stamp promotion.

But the deadline is fast approaching, so there’s no time to waste! Continue reading Calling all Shaw’s Stamp Collectors! The deadline is Dec. 13th.

Meet Tandah Etienne: Tireless Advocate for Homeless Families

Our new Program Director returns “home” to work on behalf of  homeless families

When Tandah Etienne arrived at Friends of the Homeless of the South Shore this summer as the new Program Director, it was a return to her roots. In fact, Tandah’s work as an advocate for homeless families began when she was a student at Eastern Nazarene College. Back then, she volunteered at Friends of the Homeless under the direction of then Executive Director Dorothy Newell.

Since then, Tandah has worked as an advocate for homeless families and individuals in a variety of settings including: Continue reading Meet Tandah Etienne: Tireless Advocate for Homeless Families

Promise Church shows how small donations bring big benefits for families leaving shelters

See how small donations bring big benefits

A photo from Promise Church offers proof that even small donations bring big benefits. The church collected Shaw’s stamps shoppers didn’t need and turned them into bakeware for shelter families moving into new homes. Continue reading Promise Church shows how small donations bring big benefits for families leaving shelters

Like music? Want to celebrate spring? Don’t miss our two benefit concerts this week!

Looking for a great way to celebrate spring? Then you don’t want to miss these two special benefit concerts this week!!

Tomorrow at 7:30 pm

On Thursday, April 26, the Eastern Nazarene A Capella choir plus the children’s chorus from South Shore Christian Academy will join together for a musical treat you don’t want to miss. The concert will take place starting at 7:30 pm at Wollaston Church of the Nazarene, 37 East Elm Street, Quincy, MA . The concert is free, but donations are encouraged. All proceeds will benefit Friends of the Homeless of the South Shore. Continue reading Like music? Want to celebrate spring? Don’t miss our two benefit concerts this week!

Mar 4 Brothers in Harmony gig will raise funds for homeless families on South Shore

Looking for something to do on Sunday afternoon?

Join us at the C Note in Hull on Mar 4 from 3-6 pm. You’ll enjoy a lazy afternoon of of blues, R&B, and soul music performed by Brothers in Harmony as they raise funds for homeless families.

Brothers in Harmony brings together a remarkable collection of the region’s best blues and jazz musicians. The group includes Brian Templeton, Ed Scheer, Johnny Blue Horn, Mario Perrett, Bobby Gus, Larry Luddecke, and Steve Monahan. They jam together once a year to raise funds for charities focused on homelessness.

“We’re particularly delighted that these talented artists chose Friends of the Homeless as their charity. In addition, Continue reading Mar 4 Brothers in Harmony gig will raise funds for homeless families on South Shore

Thanking Our Supporters: Good News to Share

Thanking our supporters for a long list of 2017 accomplishments.

We are sincerely thanking our supporters. Here are some highlights of how we were able to help homeless families on the South Shore. They found permanent housing and stability in their lives, thanks to  supporters like you.

Continue reading Thanking Our Supporters: Good News to Share