Good morning neighbor!
In my 20 years covering the news, events and people of our beloved Franklin County, I’ve heard over and over again that many of the wonderful things people and agencies do wouldn’t be successful without the work of volunteers.
Not only does volunteering help others in need, but it can be just as beneficial to the volunteer. You meet new people, make new friends — many of my friendships were forged during my years as a volunteer for the Parent Teacher Association when my children were in Deerfield schools — and you can learn new skills. It really enriches your life, as well as others.
Volunteering for worthwhile causes can help connect you with an entire community you never knew existed, and it certainly doesn’t have to involve a long-term commitment if you don’t have that kind of time. Sometimes it’s about helping for a few hours.
Why do I bring this up? Our neighbor Amy Donovan, program director of the Franklin County Solid Waste Management District, needs our help.
Amy is looking for volunteers for the Franklin County Fair Recycle & Compost Program. The fair will be held Sept. 5 through 8, and she needs help setting up starting Sept. 4 through dismantling on Sept. 9. Volunteers will get into the fair for free and receive a free T-shirt. Students can earn community service hours or class credit. See, I told you there are always benefits to you, as well.
Volunteers will collect bagged recyclables and compostables from bins, and some will sort and process materials.
Amy said at each fair, about four tons of bottles, cans, containers, and food and paper waste are recycled and composted.
“Many hands make light work,” she said.
So, volunteers enter the fair for free on the day they volunteer and can enjoy the fair before or after their four-hour shift and during their 30-minute meal break. Volunteers must be confirmed before the event — anyone who shows up without prior confirmation will have to pay to enter the fair.
The deadline to sign up to volunteer is Wednesday at 5 p.m. If you sign up for a day when the fair is closed, you get in free another day.
To sign up (names are not visible to the public), go to the SignUp Genius page where you can see the shift times: bit.ly/34cmYKM
Then, email Amy at amy@franklincountywastedistrict.org and your shift time will be confirmed. If you don’t have email, call her at 413-772-2438.
On top of this, Amy tells me the solid waste management district has been chosen as this year’s Franklin County Fair Parade grand marshal.
“It’s a huge honor,” she said.
For more information about the fair, visit: fcas.com.
I wanted to give you an update on our neighbor Sheryl Saddler Twyon’s recent participation in the Red Sox Run to Home Base event held at Fenway Park in July.
“This year’s run was fabulous as we celebrated the 10th anniversary of the event,” Sheryl said.
The annual event raises money for veterans who need treatment for issues such as depression, traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress disorder and more.
Her fifth year running, she set a fundraising goal of $5,000 and came so close by raising $4,500 — $1,200 more than she raised last year. Congratulations Sheryl!
Sheryl, who lives in Montague and graduated with me from Turners Falls High School, said she is grateful for the support she received from people and businesses in Franklin County and beyond.
Registration for next year’s run opens in December, and Sheryl said she’ll be signing up. If you would like to sign up, visit: homebase.org.
“We’ll hit $5,000 next year,” she said.
Reach Anita Fritz at 413-772-0261, ext. 269 or afritz@recorder.com.