Let's talk about some things you could donate to today

It's almost Valentine's day, and in that spirit, here are some places that could use your love:

• With my usual caveat that I hate that this exists and we should just USE PUBLIC FUNDS TO FUND PUBLIC EDUCATION: With the code "HEART" today, your donation to Donors Choose is doubled. Here's Worrcester. Note that they're also running a specific (needed) focus on Minnesota. If you'd like to help a Minnesota classroom in a place dear to my heart get baby chicks to raise, you can support this effort.
  
  
• The Stand with Minnesota page continues to be an excellent resource for supporting those living under federally-imposed terror, which has not, despite the headlines, ceased.
  Note that if you scroll down, you can find a "for schools and students" section. 
  
  

• I am a big fan of "just feed people who are hungry" sort of outreach, and locally, the Mustard Seed Catholic Worker does that. So does St. John's Food for the Poor, which is also now running the overnight shelter here in Worcester. In both cases, please note that there are ways to sign up to volunteer on those pages, too.
  
  

• LUCE Massachusetts has a regularly updated "Milkweed" page, which shares mutual aid requests coming in from across the state. If you wonder about the name: 
  

   Just as monarch butterflies use milkweed plants to deter predators and create safe conditions during migration, immigrant families need community support when facing ICE enforcement. Be the milkweed.

   

my photo taken some years ago in western Mass

Valentine winners!

Congratulations to the winners of the Worcester Historical Museum's annual Valentine contest!

HISTORIC  (any design in the style of valentines made in Worcester from the late 1840s to 1942)

Grade 3                       Caroline Villa                        St. Stephen  School

Grade 4       a tie        Isabella Christie                     Venerini Academy

                                    Kianna Rodriguez                  Lincoln Street School

Grade 5       a tie        Michaela Ortiz                        Seven Hills Charter School

                                    Isabella Zambrano                City View Sch00l

Grade 6                      Lexi LaFratta                         Lake View School

CONTEMPORARY  (an original valentine using designs and non-perishable—especially green--materials of the maker’s choice)

Grade 3                       Nolan Farrell                          Worcester Arts Magnet School

Grade 4                      K.C. Minton                           Francis J. McGrath Elementary School

Grade 5                       Alena Nguyen                        Chandler Elementary School

Grade 6                      Ines Nieves                            City View School

VERSE  (an original verse by today’s valentine maker)

Grade 3                       Sean Bellin                             Midland Street School

Grade 4                      Marc Hilliard                          Belmont Street Community School                                                                                                                                                

Grade 5                       Kayre Molina                          Belmont Street Community School

Grade 6                      Rita Brederson                      Worcester Arts Magnet School

MASTERS  (students in grades 4, 5, and 6 who have won in previous years must enter in the Master’s Competition.  These entries are judged as a group—not by grade level)  

Grade 6                      Sam Levenson                       Worcester Arts Magnet School

Grade 5                       Kayla Collins                          City View School

Please join the winners at an Awards Ceremony on Tuesday, February 11^th,  4:00 p.m. at the Worcester Historical Museum.

Valentine Contest time!

It's time for the annual Worcester Historical Museum Valentine contest!
As per usual, the contest is open to children in grades 3-6 (or the equivalent) who attend a Worcester Public School, are members of the Worcester Historical Museum, or hold a Worcester Public Library card.
Valentines must be historic, contemporary, or verse; must be made of non-perishable materials; and must be no larger than 11 inches in any direction. I'd recommend a close reading of the rules.
Entries are due by January 27 at 4pm at the Museum.


(I've uploaded the full description here.)