About Town: Veterans, Blood, Food

STOUGHTON'S VETERANS AGENT Mike Pazyra was a participant at 2nd Annual Run for the Fallen last weekend.  The 5K event is for Military Friends, a charity to support those close to those who lost their lives inIraq and Afghanistan.  Sgt. Major James Kelly, a Stoughton resident, is the President of the Military Friends Foundation and an Iraq Combat Veteran. He served more than 20 years combined in the United States Marine Corps and the Massachusetts National Guard. Jim teaches ROTC in the Boston Public School System. He was the co-chair of the Run. Saturdays run had a great turnout. In courtesy photo (left) is Stoughton Veterans Service Officer Michael Pazyra,  Beverly City Councilor Jim Latter, State Representative Jerry Parisella, State Representative Harold Naughton, and Secretary of the Massachusetts Department of Veteran Services, Coleman Nee.

HAPPY 20th ANNIVERSARY to Brian and Brenda McGivern, who celebrated yesterday.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: to Diana Cobb Germain, a software tester at ING Group, and along with her husband, Robert, an activist in environmental issues, particularly keeping Ames Pond clean. To Stoughton native Rachel Kell Richwine, who works at Oppenheimer & Co. They both celebrated yesterday. Coming up:  Rev. Jeffrey Symynkywicz, former Pastor at First Parish Universalist Churchin Stoughton (on Friday). And, on Saturday, Stoughton’s Bill Foley of FH Peterson Machine Company.

Saturday would have also been the birthday of the late Anne Havlin.  But, you can still celebrate her life, and bring life to others. The Anne Havlin Memorial Blood and Food Drive to benefit the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Brigham and Women's Hospital, and St. Anthony's Food Pantry, will finally take place on Saturday, Sept. 14.  It had been postponed earlier in the summer. The family has publicized it heavily online, and local media has also picked up on an event that the family hopes can be a yearly event.

It will take place from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the Immaculate Conception Church, at Canton and Schools Streets, in Stoughton.  

Havlin, an active member of the Doing it for Diane Committee, and of the Food Pantry Foundation of Stoughton, passed away in November of 2012,  after a prolonged and courageous battle with cancer. Despite her grueling ordeal, she always had a smile on her face. She never complained and was always optimistic. Anne was the selfless director of the St. Anthony's Food Pantry, which was born out of Immaculate Conception Church. Sept. 14 would have been Anne’s 67th birthday. She is sorely missed by everyone whose life she touched, including family, friends and acquaintances.

Those who wish to donate blood should arrange an appointment time by emailingmolly.mills@yahoo.com or calling 781-929-3140. For questions about donating blood, emailblooddonors@partners.org. Those who wish to donate food are asked to bring a non-perishable item on the day of the event to Immaculate Conception Church. No need for babysitters. The family has set up a ton of activities for the children, including face painting, music, play area, crafts, and more!.

GOLF FORE THE SENIORS: Come and play for Stoughton's "Friends for Seniors" Golf Tournament on Saturday, Sept. 14 at Cedar Hill Golf Course. Contact Steve Bates at 781-760-5520 for more information. All proceeds benefit Stoughton seniors! This is the organizations largest fundraiser. It enables Friends for Seniors to offer low cost dinners and bingo for seniors in the Town ofStoughton. If you play golf, play for the seniors! If not, go and show your support!

ATTENTION GIRL SCOUTS! There will be a Stoughton Girl Scouts registration event on Saturday, Sept. 14, from 1-3 p.m. in the Stoughton Public Library. Go to the Wales French Room on the second level of the library. For more information, email: stoughtonmagirlscouts@gmail.com. And, remember to bring those cookies to 4 Cabot Place. I’m on the third floor with Natalia Vargas Insurance. I ALWAYS have a sweet tooth!

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