Hopkins to hold event to help hurricane victims in Jamaica
HADLEY — Hopkins Academy will host “Joining for Jamaica,” a community fundraiser to support those in Jamaica whose communities have been affected by the Category 5 Hurricane Melissa.
“Joining for Jamaica” will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 3, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the cafeteria at Hopkins Academy. It will include a variety of free dishes that are traditionally served in the region along with music and a buffet dinner experience.
The goal is to help provide aid to meet the immediate needs of victims of the devastation taking place in the Caribbean. All proceeds will be given to World Central Kitchen, a charity focused on helping those impacted by humanitarian crises by providing necessary food relief in the form of fresh-cooked meals. World Central Kitchen and its partners have to date provided over 500 million meals to high-need communities across the world.
This event invites people to come together to try food from Jamaica and the Caribbean, educate the Hopkins Academy student body and surrounding community members about the impacts of Hurricane Melissa on Jamaica, and provide monetary support to World Central Kitchen. Our goal is to reach $2,000. Attendees are encouraged to make donations of any amount.
This event is free and open to the public.
Fifth Holiday Gift Card Match Day in Amherst
AMHERST — The Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce announces its fifth annual Holiday Gift Card Match Day on Thursday, Dec. 4. Sponsored by UMassFive College Credit Union (UMassFive) with a $5,000 match, this highly anticipated annual event invites the community to double their holiday shopping power and support local businesses.
Starting at 9 a.m. at the Visitors Information Center, 35 South Pleasant St., community members can purchase a $25 Amherst Area Gift Card, with a small $1 processing fee. For every card purchased, the Chamber will provide a gift card with a value of $50, effectively doubling the shopping power. Each individual may purchase up to two matched gift cards while supplies last.
The program supports a diverse array of local businesses, from boutiques to restaurants to service providers, reinforcing the Chamber’s mission to foster economic growth and vitality in the Amherst Area.
For more information, including a list of participating businesses, please visit www.amherstarea.com/giftcard or contact the Chamber office at 413-253-0700.
Friends of Northampton Trails to hold annual meeting
NORTHAMPTON — The Friends of Northampton Trails (FNT) will hold its annual meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 2, from 6:30-8:30 p.m., at the Northampton Center for the Arts, Hawley Street.
The event will include remarks by the Northampton Mayor Gina-Louise Sciarra, a review of the year’s activities and a special video-fest related to FNT’s mission.
Everyone is welcome and light refreshments will be served.
Granby library to hold holiday gift basket sale
GRANBY — The Granby Free Public Library will be holding a Holiday Gift Basket and Knit Sale starting Saturday, Dec. 6, from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
The sale will run through December during open library hours, while supplies last. Come shop from a variety of gift baskets, knitted and crocheted items, holiday ornaments, and much more.
Donations of premade gift baskets and new handcrafted items are accepted until Dec. 4.
The sale is sponsored by the In Stitches Knitting Group and the Friends of the Granby Library. The Granby Free Public Library is located at 297 E State St. For more information and a listing of open library hours, visit granbylibrary.org or call 413-467-3320.