News acorns

Blood drive to benefit Boston Children’s Hospital

On Tuesday, May 13 from 10:00am-5:00pm, the Doo family (which is grateful for the donations that were available during their daughter’s multiple brain surgeries) and their Brain Games fundraiser will host a blood drive for Boston Children’s Hospital. Registration takes place inside the First Parish stone church, with the bloodmobile parked outside on Bedford Road. The drive is open to anyone able to donate, not just the Lincoln community. As a bonus, Boston Children’s will give each donor a cooler bag with a few Brain Games goodies inside. Sign up here to donate.

SSEF postpones gala due to immigration concerns

South Sudanese Enrichment for Families (SSEF) has decided to postpone the May 17 celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Massachusetts arrival of the “lost” boys and girls from Sudan. The event was planned to share their tremendous accomplishments. In light of the controversies around immigration, there is heightened confusion and concern within the South Sudanese community. SSEF has made the decision to postpone the event, but the online auction will go forward — keep checking the SSEF website or call 781-322-0063 for more information.

From SSEF Executive Director Susan Winship and board co-chair Ababa Abiem: “We are committed to rescheduling this celebration for a later date. If tickets were already purchased, you will receive an email with more information. In the meantime, a Legal Assistance Fund has been created to help those in need of immigration legal advice. We truly appreciate your support and commitment to our community as we navigate this situation. We look forward to celebrating with you at a future date. If you have any questions, please reach out to us at Susanwinship@comcast.net or aabiem@gmail.com.”

Donate items for new playground

Magic Garden Children’s Center is creating a new playground and looking to fill it with gently used treasures. Specifically, they are looking for:

• Bricks, old hardware parts (door knobs, latches, locks), small wheels from wagons, bikes, etc.
• Metal baking pans, kitchen utensils, large spoons, measuring cups, whisks, ladles, bowls
• PVC pipes and fittings, outdoor instruments, wind chimes
• Outdoor paint brushes
• Plexiglass or plastic panels

Email Camie Petri (camille.petri@gmail.com) for donation pickup.

Coming up from the Lincoln Land Conservation Trust

Volunteer work day at Twin Pond
Friday, May 9 from 1:00-3:00pm
Join other volunteers to help clear woody introduced plants from the forest understory. RSVP here.

LLCT pollinator plant sale
Sunday, May 18 from 11:00am-1:00pm, Lincoln Station
Native perennials and shrubs that support wild pollinators and promote gardens that bloom throughout the season and offer nectar and pollen resources to bumblebees, butterflies, moths, and hummingbirds. More about the sale and plant list.

Family invasive plant walk
Saturday, May 17 from 1:00-3:00pm
Join LLCT and Danielle Proulx for a fun and educational kids’ program. Young nature detectives will play games, hear stories, and head out on a guided nature walk to track down non native plants. Geared towards elementary-aged children. Learn more and RSVP here.

LLCT and COAHS noticing walks
Space is still available on the May 21, June 3, and June 18 Noticing Walks. Join a group of nature-lovers exploring Lincoln’s trails. RSVP here.

Become a hospice volunteer

Care Dimensions, the region’s largest provider of hospice care, will hold online training classes for those interested in becoming volunteers for the nonprofit organization. You can make a difference in a patient’s life by:

• Engaging in a shared interest or hobby
• Helping with letter-writing or life review
• Visiting with your approved dog
• Reading to the patient
• Listening and by providing a supportive, comforting presence

Volunteers visit patients in their homes, in facilities, and at our hospice houses. If patient visits are not the right fit, you can volunteer in other ways, such as providing administrative office support or making check-in phone calls to current patients or bereaved family members. Training will be held via Zoom on Mondays and Wednesdays, June 2-18, from 9:00-11:00am (register by Friday, May 23). For more information or to register, click here or email VolunteerInfo@CareDimensions.org.