How You Give is Just as Important as What You Give – Give Wisely this Holiday Season

The Better Business Bureau gives tips on how to give wisely.

There are many different ways that donors can give to a worthy cause, because of technology and the creativity of charities. Whether you’re giving money, canned goods, used items or your time, the BBB Wise Giving Alliance reminds donors that how you give is just as important as what you give. According to the Giving USA Foundation, total estimated charitable giving in the United States rose 3.8 percent in 2010 (2.1 percent adjusted for inflation). The increase reflects the continued determination of every American to support charitable organizations even during challenging economic times. “With a tight budget this holiday season, it will be important for donors to be creative when giving back and supporting those who are less fortunate,” …

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Canton-Area Children Helping Cradles to Crayons

Sparks All Stars handmade over 25 fleece blankets for the charity.

  Evolution team members from Sparks All Stars, including several from Canton, hand made over 25 fleece blankets for Cradles to Crayons to benefit children and families in need. As part of Sparks All Stars gym-wide Pay It Forward Program, the kids are encouraged to participate in service projects that help those in need. Some other projects currently going on in the gym are with Children's Hospital, an area food pantry, and an area nursing and rehabilitation center.   Sparks All Stars is also hosting a Cradles to Crayons Collection Drive for new and gently used children's hats, gloves, mittens and scarves from December 4- December 18. For more information on how to donate, contact Sparks All Stars at 508-857-5098. -Press release …

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A Time to Give

Canton Food Pantry Provides More Than Just Food

The Canton Food Pantry services many residents who are homeless and living in shelters, hotels or vehicles. Gift cards can often help those families in their time of need.

Mary Ellen Hudner has been working at the Canton Food Pantry for five years and already has a lifetime of stories to tell. “People are hurting in Canton,” said Hudner, who runs the food pantry with co-director Carolann Browne and the help of about 25 volunteers. “Times are tough and they’re getting tougher.” Hudner said the food pantry is always in need of donations of food, diapers, laundry detergent, personal care items (toothpaste, tooth brushes, soap), and other things that cannot be purchased with food stamps. The Canton Food Pantry is located at the back of the Rodman Building of the old Canton High School, 960 Washington Street, and services about 75 people each week who take three, four or five bags of groceries each week, Hudner …

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Canton Police Helping Kids with Cancer with Charity Hockey Tournament

The Canton Police Department is helping to "Put the Cuffs on Cancer."

Members of the Canton Police Department will be sporting hockey skates tomorrow in an effort to raise funds for children with cancer. Cops from eight towns will be hitting the ice Saturday, March 26, in a charity hockey tournament at the Foxborough Sports Center. The tournament will start at 10:00 a.m. and last until 5:00 p.m., according to Lt. Helena Findlen of the Canton Police Department. "All proceeds will benefit Cops for Kids with Cancer," Findlen said. The tournament will be followed by a gathering at Waxy O'Connors Pub, which will feature a raffle. "We have a hockey shirt signed on the back and front by Bobby Orr and some other great items," she said. "We will be selling raffle tickets both at the rink and back at Waxy’s." The …

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Canton Firefighters and Residents Raise Funds for Charity

The Canton Fire Department held a charity volleyball tournament and raised $2,000 for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

Members of the Canton Fire Department raised $2,000 for the Muscular Dystrophy Association over the weekend by spiking a few volleyballs. The Canton Firefighters Local 1580 Volleyball Tournament was held Saturday night at Canton High School and 13 teams of adults competed for a good cause. All the proceeds from the event are being donated to the Muscular Distrophy Association, according to Canton Fire Lt. Tom Driscoll. Canton Firefighter Dan Whitley organized the event, which saw its most successful year in the four that is has been held, Driscoll noted. The Brockton, Taunton and Easton Fire Departments had firefighters in the tournament. The remaining teams consisted of friends and residents. Supporters came out to cheer on their favorite…

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Great Escape

Escape to the Turnpike Cafe for a Great Cause

A fundraiser for the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer at the Turnpike Cafe promises a fun evening and the chance to win some great prizes all while donating to a worthy cause.

Each week Canton Patch will feature one idea or suggestion to let you escape from the everyday monotony by visiting local hot spots or area events. Each Great Escape feature is meant to make your life a little easier, a bit more fun and maybe even more exciting by helping you discover new things to do right in your neighborhood. This week why not make a date, not only to escape, but also to contribute to a great cause at the same time? On March 23, from 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m., the Turnpike Café on 958 Turnpike Street will be holding a fundraiser for the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. It promises to be a fun night out with free appetizers, donated by Turnpike Café, drinks, desserts and the chance to win one of many gift basket raffles. Three …

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Canton and Area Firefighters Skate for a Cause

Local firefighters took part in the charity hockey game in Canton Saturday night.

On Saturday night, area firefighters, including members of the Canton Fire Department, hung up their bunker gear and sported some hockey skates to raise funds for Journey Forward in Canton. The Massachusetts Firefighters team faced off against the Boston Police team in the annual charity hockey game. All proceeds from the game go to Journey Forward, which provides care and physical therapy for those with spinal cord injuries.

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Canton Firefighters Playing for a Cause

Canton firefighters are gearing up for charity hockey and volleyball games.

Canton firefighters are helping others on the job and off. Members of the Canton Fire Department are keeping busy by donating their time to raise funds for local charities. This Saturday, March 5, the local jakes will hang up their bunker gear and don some hockey skates to raise funds for Journey Forward in Canton. For the past three years, the department has been hosting the event, according to Canton Fire Lt. Thomas Driscoll. This year, the Massachusetts Firefighters team will face off against the Boston Police team. All proceeds from the game will benefit Journey Forward, which provides care and physical therapy for those with spinal cord injuries. “This care is very expensive for families and is not covered by  insurance,” Driscoll …

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Canton Patch Citizen in the Spotlight

Canton Nine-Year-Old Celebrates Birthday By Giving Back to Animal Shelter

Instead of gifts, Madeleine Benson fulfilled the Canton Animal Shelter's Wish List on her birthday.

No video games, no dolls, no new clothes. Madeleine Benson may not have celebrated her ninth birthday in the typical way with gifts galore. But she did get a lot of cat food, cat litter and cat toys. The Hansen Elementary School third grader asked her friends and family to bring donations for the Canton Animal Shelter to her February 4 birthday party in lieu of presents. "I thought the animals would be a little happier if I did that," Madeleine Benson told Patch while at the Animal Shelter this week. "I love animals a lot." Her birthday wish came true, and she was able to donate a huge amount of supplies to the shelter.  Along with her mom, she dropped off 200 cans of cat food, 130 pounds of cat litter, 20 rolls of paper towel, 18 cat toys…

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Gowns Galore

The Canton Prom Closet is collecting donations for the February 12 fundraiser at Canton High.

Ballgowns, short and shiny, chiffon, satin, beading and strapless. The Canton Prom Closet is collecting every kind of semi-formal frock for its fundraiser sale in February. Racks were set up in the front hallway of Canton High School on Friday night and Saturday afternoon, where folks dropped off old bridesmaid dresses, prom gowns and semi-formal attire. The gowns are being collected for a February 12 sale at the high school, from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.  Dresses will be on sale for a mere $25, and all proceeds will go to Canton High's all-night senior graduation party fund. The party, which is held at Canton High after graduation, features a dj, rock climbing, food and other entertainment for the seniors. It costs about $10,000 to put on …

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