merrimack valley

Methuen Police Department Announces Annual Toy Drive for Local Children in Need

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Methuen Police Department
Joseph Solomon, Chief of Police
Quinn Public Safety Building
90 Hampshire St.
Methuen, MA 01844

For Immediate Release

Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2019

Media Contact: Jordan Mayblum
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Methuen Police Department Announces Annual Toy Drive for Local Children in Need

METHUEN –  Chief Joseph Solomon and Mayor James Jajuga are pleased to announce that the Methuen Police Department is hosting their annual toy drive to benefit children in need this holiday season.

Methuen police are working with Debbie’s Treasure Chest, which provides aid and support to families in need during the holidays. This year Debbie’s Treasure Chest has received close to 1,000 wishes.

Last year, police and community members donated approximately 2,100 toys and granted 820 wishes to children in Methuen and throughout the Merrimack Valley. This year, the Department is hoping to match, or exceed, those numbers.

“It’s a privilege of mine to be able to witness our police department organize this event every year without fail,” said Mayor Jajuga. “This event makes it possible for many more children in our community to wake up on Christmas morning with a special gift waiting for them. The acts of kindness on the part of our police department truly encompasses the Christmas spirit.”

A “giving tree,” decorated with snowball-shaped tags holding one child’s wish for a toy, is set up in the roll call room at the Methuen Police Department.

Current and former members of the department are invited to select a tag from the tree, fill out their information in the log sheet (located in a black binder next to the tree), purchase the gift requested and return the unwrapped toy to the giving tree. The toys can be for boys and girls of all ages.

Any type of toy will be accepted, but food items cannot be accepted.

Community members who would like to donate to the toy drive can do so from now through Dec. 23 by bringing new, unopened and unwrapped gifts for kids of any age to the Methuen Police Department, 90 Hampshire St.

A drop-box will be located in the lobby of the station for the toys.

Toys collected from the giving tree will be presented to various social service agencies on Saturday, Dec. 14 at 10 a.m. at the event center at Everett Mills, 15 Union St., Lawrence.

“The Methuen Police Department is extremely thankful for those in our community who make this event possible through their donations and constant support,” said Chief Solomon. “It’s a privilege of ours to be able to host this event every year, but the community is a huge driving force behind what we donate. I want to thank all those who continue to support us and encourage them to donate again this season.”

About Debbie’s Treasure Chest:

Debbie’s Treasure Chest is owned and operated by Harvey Girls, Inc., a 503(c)(3) organization. The group was founded by three children and works with social service agencies across the Merrimack Valley to deliver school supplies, clothing and toys to children in need.

One hundred percent of donations are used to improve the lives of as many children as possible by providing them with basic necessities. To learn more about Debbie’s Treasure Chest, visit their website at www.debbiestreasurechest.org, or find them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Debbies-Treasure-Chest-98824641050/.

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Whittier Tech Carpentry Students Build Habitat for Humanity Homes

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Whittier Tech
Maureen Lynch, Superintendent
115 Amesbury Line Road
Haverhill, MA 01830

For Immediate Release

Monday, Nov. 4, 2019

Contact: Kelsey Bode
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Whittier Tech Carpentry Students Build Habitat for Humanity Homes

HAVERHILL — For a group of senior Whittier Tech carpentry students, their work with Merrimack Valley Habitat for Humanity this year is far more than an opportunity to hone their trade– it’s also a way to give back to local families.

The 12 students, along with their Carpentry Instructor Mike Sandin, began working on three homes this September in Salisbury in partnership with Merrimack Valley Habitat for Humanity.

Merrimack Valley Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit organization that organizes volunteers to build affordable homes in partnership with families in need. Founded in 1985, Merrimack Valley Habitat for Humanity is a local affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International. 

“It’s the best experience they can get,” said Sandin.

When students began their work, there was only a hole where the foundation would be for a duplex, and two partially constructed homes. Other volunteers are also working on the project, which broke ground in November 2018.

“It’s really amazing,” said Jared Recillas,18, of Haverhill. “I actually get to use a lot of the stuff I’ve been learning for the past three years.”

Once finished, economically disadvantaged area families will move in to the new residences.

“It’s a really good cause using our skills to help those who are struggling,” said Nick Glynn, 17, of Haverhill.

“This is who we are,” said Alanna Stafford, 18, of Haverhill. “We are Whittier Tech and we give back to our community.”

During their shop week, the seniors leave Whittier’s campus each day at approximately 8:30 a.m. and work in all type of weather conditions. This winter, if the group progresses far enough in their construction work, students may work inside hanging drywall and building partitions.

Whittier students who are participating in the project include: Seniors Killian Barry, Nicholas Glynn, Jared Recillas, Angel Alvarado, Angelica Cintron, Siarra Cronin, Jacob Goodhue, Cody Littlefield, Jyrell Ruiz, Alanna Stafford, Tyler Wetherbee and Emily Wilson, all of Haverhill. 

“This introduces us to the kind of jobs we are going to get in life,” Stafford said. “It’s everything we’ve been taught.”

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*MEDIA ADVISORY* Andover, North Andover and Lawrence Officials to Hold Press Conference with Columbia Gas

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*MEDIA ADVISORY*

Andover, North Andover and Lawrence Officials to Hold Press Conference with Columbia Gas

Settlement Reached to Reimburse Three Communities, Repair Roadways and Restore Neighborhoods

ANDOVER — Leaders in the three communities affected by the Sept. 13 Merrimack Valley Gas Emergency will gather in Andover to address the media and the public regarding a settlement reached with Columbia Gas of Massachusetts and its parent company NiSource Inc. to compensate the communities for road restoration and for municipal claims and costs associated with the response.

WHEN:

TOMORROW — Tuesday, May 7, 2019 at Noon

WHERE:

Andover Public Safety Building

(Fire House Garage Bay)

32 N Main St.
Andover, MA 01810

WHO:

  • Andover Town Manager Andrew Flanagan
  • Lawrence Mayor Dan Rivera
  • Interim North Andover Town Manager Lyne Savage
  • Police and Fire Chiefs and DPW Directors in all three communities
  • Columbia Gas representatives

WHAT:

The Merrimack Valley Gas Emergency necessitated an unprecedented emergency and municipal services response in each of the three affected communities. Significant overtime, staff, contractor, utility, supply, clerical, and other costs were incurred by Andover, North Andover, and Lawrence.

Additionally, nearly 50 miles of roadways in Andover, North Andover and Lawrence were dug up and temporarily patched to accommodate gas main replacement through December 2018.

The leaders will detail a settlement with Columbia Gas that will fund complete road restoration in the three communities and reimburse the communities for all of these expenses. Company representatives will be in attendance to answer questions from members of the press.

This settlement is being delivered directly to the three municipalities and goes above and beyond direct repairs and reimbursements to the approximately 8,600 natural gas customers who were affected by the gas emergency.

Members of the media interesting in attending the press conference are kindly asked to RSVP by contacting John Guilfoil (617-993-0003 or [email protected]). Cabling to live trucks will be permitted. A mult-box/press box will be provided by WCVB-TV for broadcast/audio recording. 

Town of Andover Seeks Volunteers for Municipal Business Advisory Council

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Town of Andover
Andrew P. Flanagan, Town Manager
36 Bartlet St.
Andover, MA 01810

townsealandoverFor Immediate Release

Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2019

Contact: Jordan Mayblum
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Town of Andover Seeks Volunteers for Municipal Business Advisory Council

Group Will Develop Recommendations for how $2 Million Will Be Allocated to Support Business Recovery

ANDOVER — Town Manager Andrew P. Flanagan announces that the Town of Andover is seeking volunteers to help guide the town’s work supporting businesses and economic development as it recovers from last fall’s gas crisis.

The Essex County Community Foundation and the Lawrence Partnership will oversee the distribution of up to $2 million to support projects and initiatives in Andover, and the town is seeking stakeholders to serve on the new Municipal Business Advisory Council.

The council will be made up of nine business owners from the affected area and will also include town staff that will lead the effort. The council is expected to be assembled and begin work by early February.

Anyone interested in being considered for the council is asked to submit a letter of interest to Ann Ormond, Director of Business, Arts and Cultural Development, by noon on Tuesday, Jan. 22.

“The Municipal Business Advisory Council will develop a variety of ideas about how we can direct this funding in effective and meaningful ways,” Ormond said.

To submit a letter of interest, click here.

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