Still Time to Sponsor a Child for the Holidays with Gifts for Kids Program

Drop off gifts to help those in need in Norfolk County.

There is still time to help a child in need this holiday season. On Wednesday, the Gifts for Kids drive was still seeking sponsors for about 200 children, volunteer Janet Bean said. Organizers received requests for sponsors for nearly 950 children identified by human services providers in South Norfolk County. "The hardest ones are the teenagers. So gift cards are great. People can still do cash donations, since we have volunteer shoppers lined up," Bean said. This year, gifts may be dropped off from 4 to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 13 at the VFW on Robbins Road in Walpole, and at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church in Sharon on Thursday, Dec. 15. Interested sponsors may e-mail or call one of the following individuals between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m…

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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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Grab & Go Kids Planner

Grab & Go Kids Planner: February 9

Some Valentine's Day activities for your little ones.

This weekly Wednesday column is set up to give you an assortment of things-to-do for families and we appreciate your feedback on these suggestions. If you would like to add your own events, just enter them into our Patch calendar of events or place them in the comments box. It is February and many of us are looking for a cure for the winter doldrums; here are five kid-friendly activities to get you out of the house and into the fresh air.  Have fun! Valentine’s Day Party The Village Toy Shop is hosting a party in honor of Valentine’s Day on Thursday, February 9, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.  You will be able to create your own holiday cards, play games and decorate festive cookies. Please RSVP to 781-821-9374 or vtscanton@verizon.net New …

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Get Out

Get Out

Making plans for the weekend?

In need of some ideas for things to do this weekend? Our "Get Out" column is now replacing the Saturday "Weekend Happenings Around Town" column to allow you to get a head start on making those weekend plans. Let us know what you think and be sure to add your own weekend happenings to our events calendar.

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Lisa Gentes-Hunt

2:04 pm on Thursday, February 3, 2011

Anyone attending the Luce Play and taking photos? Send them to Canton Patch, we'd love to publish them!!   more ›

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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Patch Facts

Five Things You Need to Know Today: January 14

Here is what is happening in and around Canton today.

Five Things You Should Know Today is a new Patch column that provides readers with essential, daily information at a glance. Check back later for more, and let us know what you think of the new feature in the comments section. 1. Do you have an old prom dress or bridesmaid dress hanging in your closet? Donate the gently used dress to the Canton Prom Dress Closet between 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. tonight at Canton High. 2. The Varsity Girls and the Eco-Project are playing a benefit concert tonight at 7:00 p.m. at Canton High School, with all proceeds going to the Luce Playground Fund. Tickets can be purchased at any Canton Public School or at the door. 3. The Canton High School Girls Gymnastics team is matching up against North Attleboro …

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Luce Playground Fund Hopes Varsity Girls Are Big Draw

The Luce School CAPT is raising money for a lower playground at the school with the benefit concert.

The Varsity Girls are coming to Canton. On January 14, the local teen girl-group will perform at Canton High School at a benefit concert for the Luce School Canton Area Parent Teacher organization. All proceeds from the concert will go to the Luce Playground Fund. "We have a playground but it is not adequate for the current size of the school," Luce CAPT President Eileen Chaput said. Currently, when two grades of students go out for recess, the group of 200 is too much for the playground's 80-100-student capacity, according to Chaput.  The overflow group has to go to the lower ball field and wait for their turn to play on the playground, she noted. "Our mission this year is to build a playground at the Luce at the lower ball field," Chaput…

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Jeannie Capone

7:44 am on Saturday, January 8, 2011

Just to play Devil's Advocate.... Is there a way to use and encourage use of the lower ball field as a positive recess experience, rather than just as an "overflow"?! Perhaps kids could have a little help organizing sports like kickball or tag in the warmer months and sledding activities and snow-shoeing in the winter. I feel that the open space could be considered an asset, and perhaps could be …   more ›

Updated: Ways to Give Back in Canton

If your New Year's resolutions include volunteering in your community, you could consider driving a senior to a doctor's appointment, cooking for the Medical Reserve Corps, raking at Mass Audobon, or helping the Garden Club.

If your New Year's Resolutions include donating time, talent or funds to a non-profit organization, staying local may be the way to go. You could consider driving an elderly patient to a medical appointment through the Council on Aging, moving cots and supplies for the Medical Reserve Corps, raking leaves at Massachusetts Audubon, or helping the Garden Club maintain the town's "Welcome to Canton" flower boxes.  Carol Munson grew up in Canton, raised a family in Canton and now volunteers in the town she loves where opportunities abound for all ages and abilities. "I was born in Canton so Canton means a lot to me…my roots are here," said Munson, who is a member of the Canton Garden Club where she works to beautify the streets of Canton for …

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Christine Smith

10:43 am on Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Great article! Other ways to help - these probably both fall under the category of schools - are to volunteer with MusicCounts! or Canton Alliance for Public Education (CAPE) - both are great organizations.   more ›

Patch Facts

Five Things You Need to Know Today: December 23

Here is what is happening in and around Canton.

1. Don't forget to donate! Although the Toys for Tots toy drive is closed, other local charities are still seeking donations, like the Canton Food Pantry and the Canton Animal Shelter.  2. Canton High School's Boys Junior Varisty Ice Hockey team is playing at 3:30 p.m. today at Canton High against Westwood. 3. The Bulldogs are taking on North Attleboro in Boys Varsity Wrestling at 7:00 p.m. in North Attleboro. 4. The Canton Senior Center is closing at 12:00 p.m. today. 5. Canton Public Schools have early release for K-12 today for Winter Recess. Enjoy the vaca kids!

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