Make a Difference This Holiday Season!

At a time when we celebrate abundance, family, love, and hope, it is more important than ever that we remember the people in our community who need our support.

Learn more about these opportunities to give back this holiday season!

  • Canned Food Drive for Weston Council on Aging
  • Weston PTO Food Drive for Bristol Lodge
  • Toys for Tots Collection Sites in Weston
  • IINE Cold Weather Clothing Donation Drive
  • our annual Mitten Tree to support local families in need
  • List of local non-profits and charities recommended by the leaders & board of the Weston CARES Fund.

In addition to our service projects and charitable giving, First Parish is quite busy over the holiday season — visit our Christmas at First Parish webpage for more information about our worship services and other festive programs.

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Canned Food Drive for the Weston Council on Aging

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As we get ready to count our blessings this Thanksgiving, it’s very important to do what we can to help provide access to nutritious food for those in need. This year we continue our tradition of collecting non-perishable goods for the Council on Aging Food Pantry. Collection boxes will be in the Breezeway for contributions of non-perishable food and other needed supplies that will be delivered the week of Thanksgiving. So, as you shop this month, please consider adding an extra item or two to your cart! Help us ensure that no one goes hungry this winter.

Weston PTO Food Drive for Bristol Lodge

Please support the Weston PTO and elementary schools’ annual drive for Waltham’s Bristol Lodge Food Pantry and Homeless Shelters. This year, WPS’s Project 351 Ambassador, WHS 9th grade student Youmna Badlissi, will be expanding the drive to include the middle and high schools. The drive runs from Friday, November 1, to Wednesday, November 27. Students can bring non-perishable donations to the designated collection bins at their schools.

The goal is to collect at least 2,500 items from each school. Suggested items to donate include canned goods, pasta, boxed juices, cereals, kids’ snacks, condiments, baby food, dried beans, and rice. Pull-top lids are preferred, and all items must be non-expired. Gift cards can also be purchased.

Toys for Tots Collection Sites throughout Weston

The Weston Police Department will be collecting NEW, UNWRAPPED toys for the United States Marine Corps Reserve “Toys For Tots” program from now until December 10th.

Donations may be dropped off at the Weston Police Department (180 Boston Post Road Bypass), Weston Fire Department (394 Boston Post Road), Weston Community Center (20 Alphabet Lane), and Weston Town Hall (11 Townhouse Road).

IINE Cold Weather Clothing Donation Drive

Our friends at IINE (the International Institute of New England) are holding a Cold Weather Clothing Donation Drive through Wednesday, December 18th.

Many people resettling in the Boston area are coming from climates that are very, VERY different from New England! Arriving with only a few belongings beyond the clothes on their backs, people coming from refugee camps in Africa and the Middle East don’t have wool hats and down parkas. There is an old saying: “There is no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing.” We all know how much of a difference a good coat and gloves can make.

We are grateful for the opportunity to help local families have a truly warm and welcoming Christmas season.

Mitten Tree — Boys & Girls Club & Second Step

The Mitten Tree is back! Starting Sunday, November 24, our tree will be decorated with wish-list items for families supported by the Waltham Boys & Girls Club, as well as gift card requests for The Second Step shelter. We encourage you to visit the tree in the main Breezeway and take a look at the mittens. Each mitten provides information about the recipient, including their name and age. Once you select a mitten, please fill out the sign-up sheet located next to the tree so we can track all the wishes.

We ask that all mittens and gifts be returned to the church on/before Sunday, December 15th to ensure they are delivered in time for the holiday season. Robert Jones is overseeing the collection of wishes and is available to answer any questions. You can reach him at 781-893-7798, ext. 103, or by email. Let’s come together to brighten the holidays for those in our community who need it most. Thank you for your kindness and support!

Weston CARES Fund – Suggested Local Charities

The Weston CARES Fund was launched during the most acute phase of the COVID-19 crisis, and we are proud to say that the Fund raised over $200,000 and awarded grants to 37 non-profits and 94 local families who have received financial support to pay medical bills, rent, or just put food on the table. To stay true to its founding purpose and original mission as an Emergency Relief Fund, Weston CARES is no longer accepting donations. The original leaders and partners are considering other philanthropic programs for the future, but we know there is an ongoing and immediate need in our local Weston and Waltham communities.

To offer your immediate support, the Weston CARES Fund encourages you to support some of these local non-profits that are still in need of support: