Wednesday, December 27, 2023

Open Door Christmas Meals

Christmas Meals Made With Christmas Spirit

On Christmas Day, I joined together with a fantastic group of volunteers and member of my team Ted Costa at the Christmas Ham Dinner Preparation and Delivery organized by the Gloucester Capt. Lester S. Wass American Legion Post 3.

The meals were prepared and packed at The Open Door in Gloucester and delivered to seniors, veterans, and others in need by members of Post 3, more than 30 volunteer delivery drivers, and other supporters from the community. We prepared and delivered 460 holiday meals.

Recognized Commander Mark L. Nestor with a special citation honoring not only his 13 years of service as Commander of the Capt. Lester S. Wass American Legion Post 3, but also for being the incredible driving force behind ensuring no one is alone and hungry for the holidays. 

What a gift to have spent his last holiday meal as Commander - together, in service of others

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Sunday, December 24, 2023

Statehouse Tree Lighting Ceremony

Taking a moment this Christmas Eve, and always, to remember our fallen heros.

Honored to have attended a moving tree lighting ceremony at the Statehouse early this month.

Reflecting on this year’s Gold Star Families Tree display at the State House and how it pays tribute to our Massachusetts Service Members who gave their lives in service to our Nation and the families who carry their legacy forward.

Ornaments, photos and messages from their loved ones are displayed on the tree and serve to remind us of the tremendous sacrifices made for our Freedoms.

Military Friends Foundation hosts the annual dedication of the “Massachusetts Gold Star Families Tree”.  The tree pays tribute to local Service Members who have been killed-in-action, lost their lives on active duty, from hidden wounds of war, or died related to their military or public service.

This project is a partnership between the Military Friends Foundation and the Office of the Governor. This project is supported by Tough Ruck 26.2 – held in partnership with the Boston Athletic Association/Boston Marathon.



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Gloucester High School Holiday Shop

Last week, I kicked off the last 10 days until Christmas with a special delivery of toys to the Gloucester High School’s Holiday Shop for students in need so they can shop for their siblings ensuring everyone in the family has a present under the tree 🎄 🎁



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Friday, December 22, 2023

Linzee Coolidge Philanthropy Award

Honored to have spoken at the Linzee Coolidge Philanthropy Award presentation ceremony at Kyrouz Auditorium in Gloucester earlier this month.

It’s more important now, than ever before, to continue fostering philanthropic giving throughout Gloucester, our district, Massachusetts and across our nation.

Congratulations to the people of Gloucester for their contribution to the Community Preservation Act and in recognition for receiving this award.



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Giving Back to Those In Need

This is the spirit of the holiday season - giving back to the children and families in need in our community.

Honored to have toured the Cape Ann Kids Shop with local and state officials to celebrate the dedicated volunteers from Action Inc., Pathways for Children and Wellspring House who ensure that local children have a wonderful holiday.



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Thursday, December 21, 2023

West Parish Book Reading

This past Friday, I had the pleasure of reading the book "Exploring Gloucester, Massachusetts" by Alice Gardner to Gloucester Public Schools’ West Parish kindergartners.

Thank you to The First R Foundation for donating a copy of the book to each student and their classroom library.



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Wreaths Across America

Wreaths Across America Remembering The Fallen And Honoring Those who Served

This weekend I attended ceremonies to remember the fallen - those men and women who served our country. Volunteers took part in services across our district that involved placing wreaths on individual veterans' graves.

As a component of the national Wreaths Across America USNA Day, which now coordinates more than 2,500 events, we assembled to pay our respects and honor those no longer with us.

Wreaths Across America is a non-profit organization from Maine that set out in 1992 with a trailer load of wreaths, decorated by volunteers, to lay at the graves of fallen soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery.

Over thirty years later their mission - to Remember, Honor, and Teach, continues to grow.



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Gloucester Gratitude Gathering Event

Kicked off December with a wonderful “Gratitude Gathering Event” - a networking event to support local women-owned businesses - hosted by The Best of Both Worlds and Brasileros de Gloucester with Better Together Cape Ann at the Magnolia Library in Gloucester.

Honored to join local city officials in presenting citations honoring local community members: Patty Wall, founder and President of Better Together for Cape Ann, Inc. and Inez Oliveira, head of Brazilians in Gloucester.



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Tuesday, December 19, 2023

Gloucester High School Vocational Recognition

Today, members of my team were part of the new Shop-specific jersey event at Gloucester High School Vocational.  45 members of our business community partnering with our Gloucester Public Schools, local officials and the Gloucester Education Foundation is a major step.

It’s about much more than a shirt - it’s about a future for our students and a future for our economy.

It’s about trying to meet the need that we have now and are going to have in the future - of needing skilled trades people for our economy.

Students need to know that they can belong to it and they can play a role in it. They need to know their choice to enter vocational education is just as important as a student making the decision to go on a path to college - because we need ALL of them.



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Emergency Housing Assistance Program

Yesterday, the Executive Office for Administration and Finance, Executive Office of Housing and

Livable Communities submitted their report on the Emergency

Housing Assistance Program to the House and Senate Committees on Ways and Means, pursuant to Chapter 77 of the Acts of 2023.



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Thursday, December 14, 2023

Shriners Hospital for Children

Shining a Light on Shriners Hospital for Children

A visit to Shriners Children's Boston is truly an uplifting experience and one that I am glad to be part of each year.

Members of my staff and I met with

Shiva Damghany, Senior Director Philanthropy and Theresa Riley, Associate Director of Philanthropy for a tour of their incredible facility.

We were able to hand deliver the generous donation of gift cards on behalf of John Maestranzi, owner of Iron Tree Service.

I hope that you will keep Shriners Children’s in mind this holiday season as you consider charitable organizations that deserve your support, the pediatric surgical care staff there are world-class in every respect.



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Wednesday, December 13, 2023

Ipswich Menorah Lighting

Together we bring light 🕎

Honored to have been in attendance and asked to speak at the Ipswich Menorah Lighting this weekend.

#Hanukkah #statesenatorbrucetarr



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Friday, December 1, 2023

National Blood Shortage


NATIONAL BLOOD SHORTAGE

Blood donors of all types are urgently needed now.

Today me and members of my team donated blood at the American Red Cross of Massachusetts’ blood drive in Ipswich at the John T. Heard Lodge.



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