Register for Sunday's Pan-Massachusetts Challenge Framingham Kids Ride

Framingham High Senior Michael Berkson started and is coordinating the May 19 ride in honor of his father, Craig, a survivor of pancreatic cancer and a five-time PMC cyclist.

For the last five years, Framingham resident and dad Craig Berkson has participated in the Pan-Massachusetts Challenge to raise money for cancer. A  survivor of pancreatic cancer, Berkson rides with the Caring for Carcinoid team, a foundation that raises money for the same type of cancer he has survived. This year, Berkson's son Michael, a Framingham High School senior, started and is coordinating the Pan-Massachusetts Challenge Framingham Kids Ride on Sunday morning, May 19. The PMC Framingham Kids Ride is one of more than 3 dozen PMC Kids Rides scheduled across New England this weekend. More than 4,000 cyclists ages 3-16 are expected to participate to raise awareness and funds for cancer care and research.  The first-ever PMC Kids Ride …

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Kartwheels for Kris Raises $1,200

Help raise the roof for a mom with cancer and her family on May 18. Volunteers still need to help with the work Saturday.

During April vacation week, Energy Fitness and Gymnastics of Natick donated the use of their facility and staff for a fundraiser to benefit the “Raise the Roof!” project for the Burke family of Framingham.  Kris Burke has been fighting cancer for many years, and efforts are underway to do some repair and maintenance work on their home.  Organizers have a work day scheduled for Saturday, May 18, so if you have some time to help that day, please visit www.KeepingKrisStrong.org to sign up. The open gym fundraiser at Energy raised $1,200 and was a fun-filled night, with free play on Energy’s gymnastics equipment, face painting by Colores Kids, pizza donated by The 400 Restaurant & Bar and Liberty Famous Pizza, and raffle items donated by …

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Impact Framingham Awards $23,000 in Grants to 17 Organizations

Impact Framingham specifically chose the grants which support their mission “to enhance the civic, educational, recreational, cultural and/or benevolent interests of Framingham and its people.”

Impact Framingham, a foundation with the goal of investing in the Framingham Community, in its second grant cycle, awarded almost $23,000 to 17 organizations serving Framingham. The size of the grants ranged from $500 to $2,500, with an average award amount of approximately $1,500. Impact Framingham specifically chose the grants which support their mission “to enhance the civic, educational, recreational, cultural and/or benevolent interests of Framingham and its people.” Impact Framingham received a total of $78,000 in grant requests. “We are thrilled to be able to support the many worthy organizations in Framingham once again this year," said Impact Framingham President Bob Berman. The organizations awarded grants were:   The Impact …

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Framingham Native a Super Hero in NYC

A Framingham native founded and owns his own nonprofit organization called Superheroes Anonymous.

Editor's Note: This story, which originally ran in July 2012, has been republished in our quest to highlight the good deeds Framingham natives and residents are doing. Chaim Lazaros said he is also known as 'Life," as he is a 'Real Life Superhero." He told radio station WBUR he dresses in his own "unique superhero persona and goes out and do acts of good." Originally from Framingham, he has been living in New York City for about a dozen years. "I go out and I give homeless people toothbrushes, socks, underwear, a little bit of love, listen to their stories if they want to talk - that type of thing," he told WBUR. He owns a non-profit organization called Superheroes Anonymous. Originally founded in 2007 by Ben Goldman and Lazaros as an …

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13 Ways To Help Your Neighbors During the Storm

Elderly neighbors may need an extra helping hand during the Blizzard scheduled to hit Framingham.

With the snow from Winter Storm Nemo piling up, a deliberate act of kindness could be invaluable in helping an older adult to be safe over the next few days. Here’s a short list of ways to offer a bit of help to an aging neighbor who might be in need of some support: Even if you don't know your neighbor by name, chances are he or she would welcome your friendly “check in” and assistance. So don’t be shy, commit a act of neighborly kindness. Tell us: How are you helping your neighbors or family members during this storm? Is our list missing a tip or suggestion. Add it in the comments!

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The Social Scene

10th Annual Flutie Bowl Strikes Up More than $60,000 for Autism Foundation

The Framingham-based Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism held its 10th Annual Flutie Bowl Monday Night at Kings in Dedham.

The Framingham-based Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism held its 10th Annual Flutie Bowl Monday Night at Kings in Dedham. Doug Flutie along with sports, television and radio celebrities bowled to raise money for the foundation. The Foundation, created in 1998 by Flutie and his wife Laurie, was named for their son, Doug, Jr. who was diagnosed with autism at the age of 3. He is now 21. Autism is a neurological disorder that impacts the normal development of the brain in the areas of social interaction and communication skills. Autism now affects one in 88 children in the United States. The night also included a silent auction with autographed sports memorabilia and ended with a performance by The Flutie Brothers Band, featuring Doug on …

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Giving Tuesday: A Chance to Give Back During the Holiday Season

The Jimmy Fund and KnowledgeSTRONG are among the nonprofits trying to encourage people to pause in their shopping and find a way to help others.

Will donating to charity ever be as popular as shopping during the holiday season? A partnership of nonprofits hopes so. For many people, the holiday shopping marathon began on Thanksgiving day, with some national chains opening their doors just hours after the traditional turkey dinner. Then comes Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday, which has morphed into Cyber Week. Now, there's a new campaign asking you to open your wallet -- Giving Tuesday. The Giving Tuesday website says the effort, coming on the heels of days devoted to consumerism, is designed "to create a national day of giving at the start of the annual holiday season. It celebrates and encourages charitable activities that support nonprofit organizations." …

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IMAGE GALLERY: Chopping, Peeling and Prepping for 2,000 for Thanksgiving

Anyone home alone, in need of a meal or unable to cook or be with loved ones today are invited to the 24th Annual Curtis Family Thanksgiving at Eagles Hall between noon and 6 p.m.

Anyone home alone, in need of a meal or unable to cook or be with loved ones today are invited to the 24th Annual Curtis Family Thanksgiving at Eagles Hall between noon and 6 p.m. In 1989, Mark and Karen Curtis were celebrating Thanksgiving with friends at the Dugout in Framingham and decided to invite some tenants of the boarding house upstairs to join them. Two year later, the Curtis' decided to put up signs inviting people to join them for a free hot Thanksgiving meal. Last year, more than 1,700 received a free Thanksgiving meal. Today, organizers expect to serve more than 2,000 hot Thanksgiving meals. Wednesday night, volunteers chopped, cut, peeled and prepped for the dinner. There were families, members of the Framingham High swim, …

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Coats, Baby Clothes Needed For Staten Island Victims

A Framingham man is leaving very early Saturday morning for New York to help his brother with the cleanup of his flooded home; and wants to bring warm clothing to those in need.

Adam Zahler of Framingham is traveling to Staten Island Saturday. He plans to help his brother "with the cleanup of his flooded home." Zahler said his brother tells him "people there need warm clothing, particularly coats and baby clothes. The weather is getting cold and there are many without power." If you have coats, warm clothing and or baby clothes please drop off on Zahler's porch tonight or very early Saturday morning. "My vehicle is not large, but I will take what I can," said Zahler. "My brother and his wife are okay and have a place to stay, though most of their belongings, other than what is in the bedrooms, is ruined. He knows people who are hurting, I think, and we'll try to get some clothing to them and to a shelter." Zahler …

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Teresa Jones

4:30 pm on Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Does anyone have an address so we can send coats, pants, blankets and etc? I hear where to send money but people need clothes and anything that will keep them warm. Can someone advice me where to send things? I would rather send myself so I know it will get there.   more ›