Winthrop Police and Fire Host Successful Holiday Toy Drive
Police Chief Terence Delehanty and Fire Chief Paul Flanagan pleased to announce that the Winthrop Police and Fire Departments hosted a holiday toy drive that benefited over fifty families.
On Dec. 6, the drive began as Santa and his elves accepted donations, took photos and participated in holiday festivities at the Cummings School Loop in Winthrop. Donations were also accepted via drop-off at the Winthrop Police Station throughout December and consisted of both new and unwrapped toys and gift cards
Not only were the departments able to donate to 57 families, they also donated to numerous groups in the Winthrop and Greater Boston area, including Winthrop Public Schools, Winthrop Community and Law Enforcement Assisted Recovery (CLEAR) team, St. John the Evangelist Church, East Boston Neighborhood Health Center, Suffolk County Children’s Advocacy Center and the Harbor Cove Domestic Violence Shelter.
“This year we are extremely grateful for the response that we had from the community and members of the department who participated,†Chief Delehanty said. “This is what community is all about, taking care of one another during difficult and trying times.â€
“We are lucky to have such a supportive, giving community who continues to turn out for those in need each year,” Chief Flanagan said. “Thank you to everyone who helped to make a difference this holiday season.”
Winthrop Police and Fire hope to continue to grow the annual toy drive in the years to come.
MVES Offers Free Transport Services to COVID-19 Vaccine Sites for Adults 60 years and older
Mystic Valley Elder Services (MVES) is offering free transportation services via one of MVES’ transportation providers to adults 60 years and older to COVID-19 vaccine sites near your home. MVES understands that older adults are more susceptible to the pandemic and feels it is important to help all older residents in its 11 communities served get vaccinated. So if you live in Chelsea, Everett, Malden, Medford, Melrose, North Reading, Reading, Revere, Stoneham, Wakefield or Winthrop, give us a call!
To make it simple, there are only three eligibility guidelines to get approved for your two roundtrips: be 60 years of age or older; don’t have other means to get to a vaccination site; or don’t have access to the vaccines at the building complex where you live. When taking your trips, masks will be required. Make sure to call us in plenty of time so you can plan the most convenient travel time for yourself.
Visit the State’s website at www.mass.gov for the latest information on the COVID-19 vaccine and what phase you fall under according to
Mass. National Guard Selected to Provide Additional Assistance in Washington, D.C.
At the request of federal authorities, members of the Massachusetts National Guard, alongside National Guard members from other states, will provide additional assistance in Washington, D.C., to support the United States Secret Service beginning this week.
Gov. Charlie Baker today signed an order approving up to 700 Massachusetts Air and Army National Guard personnel for the mission, which was requested by the Department of Defense, National Guard Bureau, and Secret Service. These guard members will be traveling to Washington in the coming days and are expected to return to the Commonwealth on February 23.
This mission is separate from the 500 personnel who served last week in DC in support of inauguration events and returned home to Massachusetts over the weekend.
The Massachusetts National Guard will ensure all appropriate force health protection measures are implemented leading up to, and throughout, the mission. This includes pre-departure screenings, COVID-19 testing, and mandatory mask wear. Additionally, Soldiers and Airmen will have individual rooms while deployed to the D.C. area to further reduce risks during this pandemic.
Today’s activation will not interfere with the Massachusetts National Guard’s ability to respond to and assist in emergencies within the Commonwealth.
The Massachusetts National Guard trains regularly with military, law enforcement, and civilian agencies to provide a broad spectrum of services in support of security, logistics, disaster relief, and other missions. The Guard has a proven track record of success supporting civilian authorities and their frequent side-by-side training with state and local first responders makes them well-suited for this mission.