Food Elves Press Release

Food Elves, Partnership Collect A Ton of Food

The Franklin Food Elves and the Franklin Downtown Partnership exceeded their goals for the ‘12 Days of Donating’ campaign this month, collecting nearly twice the food and monetary donations they hoped for to benefit the Franklin Food Pantry. Together the groups donated 2,035 pounds of non perishable items and $4,266 during the 12 day drive.  

According to Anne Marie Bellavance, Executive Director of the Franklin Food Pantry, these donations will help carry the food pantry through this holiday season and into 2012.  

“Based on our calculations, when we combine the weight and the dollar amount it translates into more than 17,000 meals,” says Bellavance.  “We have seen a cascading effect of community support beginning with this drive as well as help printing 250 cookbooks for our clients.  We are so very grateful to be surrounded by such a giving community.”

The Food Elves expanded their reach this year, placing bins at downtown locations and canvassing neighborhoods throughout town. The result was more than one ton of food and non-perishables collected for the food pantry.

DCU gave a $1,500 donation and Berry Insurance stepped up with a $1,000 gift. In addition to donations by residents, six downtown businesses, including Dean Bank, Dean College, Jane’s Frames, Printsmart Office Supplies, the Franklin Downtown Partnership and Berry Insurance, had pledged $1,200 in matching funds. The grand total of money raised was $4,266.

Franklin Food Elves founders Melissa and Cameron Piana are thrilled with the campaign’s results.

“A few years ago my brother and I started collecting donations in our neighborhood and the idea has grown into a much bigger way for us to make a difference for needy families in Franklin,” says Melissa. “We want to thank all the residents and businesses for the donations and all of our elves for their help. It was a team effort with huge results.”

“It is amazing to me how many people wanted to help us reach our goal,” says Cameron. “We are excited that we exceeded our goal for the Food Pantry and that so many people will benefit from the donations.”

The Franklin Food Elves are led by Head Elves Melissa and Cameron Piana. The elves are Katie Buccella, Kiara Chan, Jess Deaver, Amanda Dickson, Colleen Flaherty, Katie Flaherty, Elise Frank, Haley Frank, Santiago Leal, Kasey Lynch, Jacob Signori, Shannon Takahata and Mely Wu.

“We knew this community would support the elves and the food pantry but this response surpassed all of our expectations,” says Partnership President Nicole Fortier. “The support and positive feedback for this drive has been overwhelming. We are grateful to the residents and businesses of Franklin and to the local papers for helping us spread the word.”

The Franklin Food Elves is a charitable community service group.  The Franklin Downtown Partnership is a non-profit 501(c)3 group working to revitalize downtown Franklin.  For more information about either group please contact the Partnership at (774)571-3109 or downtown.franklin@yahoo.com.  

Food Pantry Executive Director Anne Marie Bellavance, Partnership President Nicole Fortier, and Head Food Elves Cameron and Melissa Piana (left to right) at the Franklin Food Pantry. 

Food Elves Cameron and Melissa Piana deliver donations collected during the '12 Days of Donating' campaign to Food Pantry Executive Director Anne Marie Bellavance (left).  

Meetings, Harvest Festival Dates

2012 General Meeting Dates

 

Mark your calendars and join us!

Please note that the FDP Meetings

are now scheduled for the 1st Thursday of the

month.

 

Thursday, January 5th

Thursday, March 1st

Thursday, May 3rd

Thursday, September 6th

Thursday, November 1st

 

2012 Harvest Festival- Sunday, September 30th

Any member who would like to take a lead role in

planning the festival please contact the FDP office.

Food Pantry, Downtown Updates

12 Days of Donating
Thank you everyone who participated in the 12 Days of Donating campaign! The donations are still coming in and the numbers are still being crunched, but it looks like the Franklin Food Elves and the Partnership have surpassed the goal of collecting 1,200 pounds and $1,200 in 12 days! Please email the FDP office at downtown.franklin@yahoo.com if you still would like to donate. It's not too late! Stay tuned for the grand total.


Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting
Tuesday, December 13 at Noon
The Franklin News
19 Dean Avenue, Downtown Franklin


United Regional Chamber Open House -- Downtown Franklin
You're cordially invited to attend the Chamber's Holiday Open House! 
Come to The United Regional Chamber of Commerce's Franklin office, 4 West Street, on Wednesday, December 14, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.  Please bring an unwrapped toy to be donated to The Santa Foundation.

Only 2 Days to Go

The Partnership and the Food Elves still need a few more donations to meet our goal of 1,200 pounds of food so the Food Pantry will receive $1,200 in matching funds!


Please drop off your donations by Monday, December 12.


If the Food Elves reach their goal and collect 1,200 pounds of food, participating businesses pledge an additional $1,200 in matching funds! 1,200 pounds of food can provide 923 meals to those in need. The $1,200 can provide an additional 6,000 meals.


Look for food donation bins at these locations:

• Franklin Downtown Partnership office
• Jane's Frames
• Printsmart Office Supplies
• Berry Insurance
• Dean Bank
• Dean College
• YMCA
• Allied Chiropractic
• Food Pantry -- with a note indicating that you want it to go toward the Food Elves/FDP food drive campaign

Thanks to everyone who has supported the Food Pantry and the Food Elves' "12 Days of Donating" campaign!

Reminders

Thank you to all of you who participated in the Holiday Stroll! 
Special thanks to Cindy Kozil and Roberta Trahan, our event co-chairs who made it such a success, and to all our great sponsors! 


FDP Networking Luncheon
Friday, December 9
1:00 p.m., Dean College Dining Hall
Campus Center
No RSVP Needed -- just come if you can
Contact:  Joel Carrera at jcarrara@printsmartoffice.com


Holiday Decoration Checks are past due
Please send them in this week!
Contact:  Eileen Mason at emason11@verizon.net


Franklin Elves and the Downtown Partnership
Please help us reach our goal of 1,200 pounds for the Franklin Food Pantry by bringing in your donations. The YMCA and Allied Chiropractic also have food bins for your donations.
For more information about the "12 Days of Donating campaign" click here.


The United Regional Young Professionals Organization is hosting the 2nd Annual Giving Tree at the Hampton Inn Franklin.  The group is collecting new winter hats, scarves, gloves and mittens. All donations will go to The Santa Foundation. Please drop off any donations by Friday, December 9th.
Contact:  Amanda Culhane, Director of Sales FRKMA:  Hampton Inn Franklin, 735 Union Street, amanda.culhane@hilton.com


FDP Website Links
Check out our Holiday Stroll photos in the slideshow (above, right). 
Remember to e-mail your business link to us at Downtown.Franklin@yahoo.com if you would like to appear in the Downtown Partners' Links section (right). This is free with your membership! 

Holiday Stroll -- Thank You!

Hundreds of people turned out in chilly but seasonal weather yesterday afternoon for the Partnership's Third Annual Holiday Stroll! 

The holiday tree lighting at Dean College kicked off the event. Carolers led the crowds in song, dancers entertained and an a cappella choir performed in front of Dean Hall. More than 250 Gingerbread Men and 250 Whoopie Pies were quickly devoured, along with gallons of hot chocolate. 

From there the Stroll wound throughout the downtown. Businesses kept their doors open late and offered shoppers incentives as well as refreshments. Kids decorated cookies at Dean Bank, created ornaments at the Franklin Art Center and met Scoobie Doo on East Central Street. Santa heard wish lists at Simon's Furniture and Mrs. Claus read stories to the younger crowd at the Historical Museum.

The Franklin Food Elves's donation bins were filling up quickly with the start of the 12 Days of Donating Campaign benefiting the Franklin Food Pantry. Just a reminder -- the bins will be set up at participating businesses through December 12 (click here for more information).

For more images from the Stroll please see the slideshow above right. 


Thank you to our sponsors for making this year's Holiday Stroll our best yet! 


Silver Sponsors:  Dean Bank, DCU, D.G. Ranieri Real Estate, Ferguson Enterprises, Middlesex Savings Bank and nhs print. 


Bronze Sponsors:  Judith V. Butler, M.A., LLC, Franklin Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts, John J. Roche, Attorney, and Laura Lowe, Realtor, Coldwell Banker, Franklin.

Holiday Stroll Map

Join us Downtown on Thursday, December 1, at the 

Holiday Stroll!

The tree lighting will be at 4 p.m. at Dean College. Santa will be at Simon's Furniture from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Specials and treats will be available throughout downtown all evening!


If you don't have Facebook you can download and print a copy of the map here.

2011 Holiday Stroll Map

Holiday Stroll flyer

If you don't have Facebook you can download and print this flyer here.
2011 Holiday Stroll flyer

Beautification and Networking

Thank You Volunteers 
The Downtown is decorated for the Holidays! 
Thank you to all our wonderful volunteers who came out Saturday and Sunday to help. 
A special thank you to Eileen Mason and the Garden Club who make it all happen! 


Donations Appreciated 
If you would like to donate, please let us know. 
$25 or $50 adds up and helps pay for the decorations! 
Thank you to our sponsors -- we couldn't do it without you. 


Networking Luncheon 
Friday, December 9th at 1:00 p.m. 
$5.50 at Dean College Dining Hall 
(Campus Center) 
Contact Joel Carrara at jcarrara@printsmartoffice.com

Holiday Stroll Happenings

Here is a listing of all the special treats and offers in store for you at the Third Annual Holiday Stroll on Thursday, December 1, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.


If you don't have Facebook you can download and print this flyer here.

Third Annual Holiday Stroll Happenings

Beautification Update

Beautification Day
Sunday, November 20, 9:00 a.m. 
Come help decorate the Downtown Center!
(Businesses:  Please make sure you pull out your flowers from the barrels)


Volunteers Needed!
Saturday, November 19 (this has been changed from Friday, 11/18)
Volunteers are needed to help separate out the greens.
Please let Eileen Mason know if you can help.
10:00 a.m. at Hillside Nursery


Contact Eileen at 508-330-4234 or emason11@verizon.net.

Holiday Stroll Press Release

Celebrate the Season at the FDP Holiday Stroll

Downtown Franklin will usher in the season of giving with the third annual Holiday Stroll on Thursday, December 1, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The Franklin Downtown Partnership plans a visit from Santa, a tree-lighting ceremony, carolers, refreshments, entertainment and more for visitors this year.

The lighting of the tree will begin at 4 p.m. in front of Dean Hall on the Dean College campus. Costumed carolers will lead the crowd in singing holiday songs and refreshments will be served.

“In the spirit of giving, this year the Partnership is pleased to help the Franklin Food Elves kick off the ’12 Days of Donating’ campaign,” says Cindy Kozil, Holiday Stroll co-chair. “We invite everyone coming to the tree lighting to bring a Food Pantry donation and remember those less fortunate this holiday season.”

The Franklin Food Elves, a charitable community service group, will launch its food drive with a donation bin at the tree-lighting ceremony. The group’s goal is to collect 1,200 pounds of food and $1,200 in 12 days for the Franklin Food Pantry (see sidebar).

From the tree lighting, visitors can then stroll throughout the downtown and visit more than 25 participating businesses for special offerings, discounts and more treats and entertainment. A complete listing of the businesses’ special offers will be available at each participating location.

Children can meet Santa at Simon’s Furniture from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Boston radio station 103.3 WODS-FM will broadcast holiday favorites and hand out prizes from the Berry Insurance parking lot. The Fire Department will give tours and holiday fire safety tips, and the Historical Museum will be open.

“For the past two years we’ve enjoyed tremendous community support for the Holiday Stroll, and we expect about 1,000 residents and visitors will help us celebrate this year,” says Roberta Trahan, event co-chair. “We’ve put together a fun family event that we hope will remind people to think locally when doing their holiday shopping.”

The Holiday Stroll is sponsored this year by Silver Sponsors Dean Bank, D.G. Ranieri Real Estate, DCU, Ferguson Enterprises, Middlesex Savings Bank and nhs print. Bronze Sponsors are Judith V. Butler, MA, LLC., the Franklin Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts, Attorney John J. Roche, and Laura Lowe, Realtor, Coldwell Banker, Franklin.

For more information about the Holiday Stroll contact co-chairs Cindy Kozil, ckozil@dean.edu, or Roberta Trahan, roberta_icu1@verizon.net.

The Franklin Downtown Partnership is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization made up of business owners, community leaders and residents working toward revitalizing Downtown Franklin. For more information about the Partnership contact Executive Director Lisa Piana at (774)571-3109 or downtown.franklin@yahoo.com.

Food Elves Press Release

Franklin Food Elves Launch ’12 Days of Donating’ Campaign

The Franklin Food Elves and the Downtown Partnership will launch the “12 Days of Donating” food drive to benefit the local food pantry at the third annual Holiday Stroll on Thursday, December 1, at the 4 p.m. tree-lighting ceremony.

The charitable community service group’s goal is to collect 1,200 pounds of food and $1,200 in 12 days to benefit the Franklin Food Pantry. The campaign will run from December 1 through December 12. Along with a food bin set up at the tree ceremony on the Dean College campus, the Elves are placing bins at six downtown locations where people can drop off non-perishable food items.

According to the Franklin Food Pantry, more than 1,000 residents use its services. Recent Census data shows the need is greater; more than 3,000 Franklin residents, or 9% of the town’s population, are struggling. That need increases in winter due to the cost of heat.

If the Food Elves reach their goal and collect 1,200 pounds of food, participating businesses pledge an additional $1,200 in matching funds. Franklin Food Elves co-founders Melissa and Cameron Piana and the FDP hope that the community will support the Food Pantry by helping them reach this goal. What will 1,200 pounds and $1,200 do for Franklin?  1,200 pounds of food can provide 923 meals to those in need. The $1,200 can provide an additional 6,000 meals.

Look for food donation bins at these locations:  

• Franklin Downtown Partnership office, 9 East Central Street
• Jane’s Frames, 11 East Central Street
• Printsmart Office Supplies, 20 East Central Street
• Berry Insurance, 9 Main Street
• Dean Bank, 21 Main Street
• Dean College, Campus Center

For more information about the Franklin Food Elves and the “12 Days of Donating” campaign, please contact the Franklin Downtown Partnership at downtown.Franklin@yahoo.com or at (774)571-3109.  For more information about the Franklin Food Pantry and what items are needed, please go to their website, www.franklinfoodpantry.org/.

Meeting Agenda

Franklin Downtown Partnership General Meeting Agenda

Thursday, November 17, 2011, at 8:30 a.m.

Dean College Campus Center, Golder Room

I.         Open Meeting


II.        Adoption of Agenda


III.       Introductions
            a.  Welcome New Members -- Lisa Piana
                 John Fenton, Certified Financial Planner
                 Donna Rajcula, Mary Kay
                 Barry Madden, Franklin Ford
                 Dr. Don Cohen, Allied Chiropractic
                 Linda Waters, Back to Business


IV.        Town Updates -- Bryan Taberner


V.         Report from Executive Director
             a.  Sponsorship and Membership update
             b.  Website Link, WMRC Buy Local
             c.  January meeting for downtown businesses


VI.        Franklin Local Town Pages -- Publisher Chuck Tashjian


VII.       Beautification -- Eileen Mason
             a.  Holiday Decorating -- Sunday, November 20
             b.  Volunteers also needed Friday, November 18


VIII.      Holiday Stroll -- Cindy Kozil and Roberta Trahan


IX.        Networking Schedule -- Joel Carrara


X.         New Business


XI.        Other Business


XII.       Adjourn

Winter Beautification Day

Can you believe it's time to decorate the downtown for the holidays?

Volunteers Needed!

Winter Beautification Day
Come decorate the Downtown Center!
Sunday, November 20, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Sorting the Greens (we need you!)
Friday, November 18, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Funds are needed to help pay for the Holiday Decorations!
Please send checks to: 9 East Central Street, Franklin, MA

Please contact Beautification Chair, Eileen Mason
at emason11@verizon.net or contact the FDP office
at Downtown.Franklin@yahoo.com for more information.

Hope to see you there!

Holiday Stroll Press Release

FDP Looking Ahead to 2011 Holiday Stroll

The Franklin Downtown Partnership is making plans for the 2011 Holiday Stroll, to be held downtown on Thursday, December 1, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. In addition to the tree lighting and Santa’s annual visit, the Partnership and the charitable community service group Franklin Food Elves will be collecting items for the Franklin Food Pantry.

Organizers expect about 1,000 people will come downtown for an evening of holiday fun.  A holiday tree lighting ceremony at Dean College will kick off the festivities, complete with carolers, cookies and hot chocolate. Visitors can drop off their Food Pantry donations there and then stroll throughout the downtown to enjoy special promotions and entertainment at participating businesses. Santa will be on hand from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. to hear children’s wish lists at Simon’s Furniture, and radio station 103.3 WODS-FM will be at the Berry Insurance parking lot handing out prizes. The Historical Museum will be open for tours that evening too.

For more information on the Stroll please contact event co-chairs Cindy Kozil, ckozil@dean.edu, and Roberta Trahan, Roberta_icu1@verizon.net.

This year’s Stroll will be supported by Silver Sponsors D.G. Ranieri Real Estate, Dean Bank, DCU, Ferguson Enterprises, Middlesex Savings Bank and NHS Print, and Bronze Sponsors Judith Butler, MA, L.L.C. , Attorney John J. Roche, Laura Lowe, Realtor, Coldwell Banker, and Franklin Girl Scouts of Eastern Mass. Businesses interested in supporting this event should contact FDP Executive Director Lisa Piana at (774)571-3109 or downtown.franklin@yahoo.com for details. Sponsorship forms can also be found here.

As a non-profit, 501(c)3 organization, the Downtown Partnership depends on sponsors to run this and other events, including the Strawberry Stroll, the Harvest Festival and Beautification. For more information please contact the FDP at downtown.franklin@yahoo.com.  

Holiday Stroll Sponsorship Needed

Holiday Stroll

Thursday, December 1

4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Sponsorships are needed for this exciting event!


If you are interested in being a sponsor please email Lisa at the FDP office, downtown.franklin@yahoo.com, by Tuesday, October 25 so we can list your business on the flyers!


Bronze Sponsor -- $100
Silver Sponsor -- $250
Gold Sponsor -- $500


Your business will be listed on all flyers, posters, website and in all press releases. SUCH A DEAL!


Thank you for your continued support!  We look forward to another exciting Holiday Stroll. Please contact our Holiday Stroll Co-Chairs if you are interested in participating in the Stroll: Cindy Kozil, ckozil@dean.edu, or Roberta Trahan, roberta_icu1@verizon.net.


Click here for a Sponsorship Registration Form.


Click here for a list of Sponsorship Opportunities.


Click here for the Letter to Businesses.

We're looking ahead to the 2011 Holiday Stroll

If you don't have a Facebook account you can download and print the file from here.2011 Holiday Stroll Letter to Businesses

Sunday's 9th Annual Harvest Festival was a big hit! Thousands of visitors enjoyed everything the festival had to offer -- crafts, music and dancing, exhibits, food and fun. The sun even made an appearance! Check out our slideshow (right) to see hundreds of photos of our vendors, entertainers and visitors. 


THANK YOU to our numerous volunteers and our generous Sponsors! All of you made this event a great success. 


Gold Sponsor:  Rockland Trust Charitable Foundation

Gold Sponsor Rockland Trust Charitable Foundation

Silver Sponsors:  DCU, Green Mountain Chocolates, Middlesex Savings Bank

Silver Sponsor DCU and the Mobile Branch

Silver Sponsor Green Mountain Chocolates

Silver Sponsor Middlesex Savings Bank

Bronze Sponsors:  Byrne Financial Freedom, LLC., Chestnut Dental Associates, Dean Bank, NHS Print and Mike Dunsky/Guaranteed Rate

Bronze Sponsor Byrne Financial Freedom, LLC.

Bronze Sponsor Chestnut Dental Associates

Bronze Sponsor Dean Bank manned the food booth

Friends of the Festival Sponsors:  D.G. Ranieri Supply Company, Fenton Financial Group, Ferguson Enterprises, Keefe Insurance, Ten Key, Inc., and Kindred Transitional Care and Rehabilitation, Franklin

Friends of the Festival Sponsor Ferguson Enterprises

Friends of the Festival Sponsor Ten Key, Inc.

Thank you also to the Franklin Police Department and the Franklin Department of Public Works for helping to make this a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone.

Passport Draw Winners

Thank you to all our visitors who used our Harvest Festival Passport and entered the drawing for fabulous prizes donated

by our sponsors and vendors.

Congratulations to our Winners! 

Susan Moore of Franklin won the Patti Eisenhauer Dance Center Ballet Princess Basket valued at $200.


Bonnie McGaffigan of Franklin won the Sally's Alley Provenance Woven Wood Shade valued at $550.


Ginny Greenhalgh of Franklin won the Christine Hogan Tupperware Tupperware item valued at $25.


Shane Cataido of Franklin won the Happy Tails Doggy Daycare Dog Treat Basket valued at $75.


Chris McFarlane of Wrentham won the Hockomock Area YMCA Gift Certificate valued at $100.


Meredith Vaughan of Franklin won The Blu Bead & Paw Italian Onyx Bracelet valued at $15.


Jay Crittenden of Franklin won the FSPA Electric Youth CD valued at $15.


Clare Crawford of Franklin won the Hampton Inn of Franklin and Milford One Night Stay valued at $179.


Judy Shumaker of Franklin won the Gems by Jules Reversible Ribbon Belt valued at $25.


Carol Cotoia of Attleboro won the Studio Seventy Five Jewelry Chalcedony Briolette & Necklace valued at $49.


Warren Mayhen of Franklin won the Ten Key, Inc., Wine Basket valued at $70.


Elizabeth Rawlinson of Lunenburg won the Beaux Regards Photographic Art Artistic Tote Bag & Stationary valued at $27.


Heidi Anderson of Medway won the Franklin Art Association 9x12 Oil on Canvas valued at $220.


JoAnn Laliberte of Franklin won the H&R Block Tax Preparations valued at $200.


Debbie Shook of Norfolk won the Amanda Gard Discovery Toys Quibits Set valued at $60.


Phyllis Mueller of Franklin won the SELF One Hour Facial valued at $65.


Terri Donovan of Franklin won the Grandma Jen's Crafts Gift Certificate valued at $15.


Pam McLeod of Franklin won the TruPickles Gift Certificate valued at $70.


Judy Anderson of Franklin won the LiveARTS Two Tickets to a LiveARTS Concert valued at $36.


Kim Smakal of Franklin won the Clarion Farm Half Hour Private Riding Lesson valued at $50.

Prizes can be picked up during regular branch hours at 

Middlesex Savings Bank, Franklin Village Branch, 

1st Floor, 1000 Franklin Village Drive. 

Harvest Festival Chairperson Angie Grant will contact each winner via email with more details.