Unitarians Reach Out to Community

Here is a sampling of news sent to us by folks in the community. To submit news, send an email to sandra.bowles@patch.com.

As they say each Sunday, the mission of the is “to practice compassion and to serve.”

Here are just a few ways folks at Unitarian Universalist Society of Grafton and Upton have shown up with open hearts and hands in the community this year:

They donated 285 toiletry and foodstuff items to the Grafton Food Bank, located at the

They collected more than $2,500 in donated funds for organizations such as Hands Across the Sea (raising literacy levels of Caribbean children by assisting schools and libraries), the Milford Community Supper program, Kiva (micro loans across the globe), the Sutton Food Bank, New Hope (working to end domestic  violence), and the UU Service Committee Japan Relief Fund and Massachusetts Tornado Relief Fund.

They provided $500 for a college scholarship  to a deserving Upton student who is a 2011 graduate of Nipmuc High School. 

Their children also practice compassion and service:

They made town folks aware of the benefit of buying Fair Trade products and asking the local Stop & Sho to sell Fair Trade chocolate;

They re-lent $150 last year to fund micro-loans for low income entrepreneurs and farmers through the Kiva program.

They organized  a congregation-wide collection of scarves and hats to be gifted to the residents of during their annual carol sing there. 

Finally, while taking part in the Peace Begins Here program, volunteers and children hand-crafted a beautiful quilt to donate to Abby’s House, along with gifting pillows, blankets, and funds collected from the congregation.

Calling themselves “the church of the open mind, loving hearts and helping hands,” the Unitarian Universalist Society of Grafton and Upton is working to make a difference to all of Grafton's and Upton's residents. 

Everyone is invited to join them any Sunday at 10 a.m. (or 9:30 a.m. in the summer.)  

Grafton Business Networking is hosting a Business After Hours from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 13 at the , 25 Grafton Common.

Come network and socialize with fellow Grafton business owners and professionals. The group has the upstairs room reserved. Drinks and food can be purchased at the bar downstairs. Remember to bring plenty of business cards with you.

Edward Deane of Grafton participated in the fourth annual Amica Ironman 70.3 RI on Sunday, July 10.

The endurance race featured a 1.2-mile swim, a 56-mile bike ride and a 13.1-mile run. The race finished on the Rhode Island State House lawn.

American Legion Delisle Goulet Post 92, 69 Worcester St., has two events scheduled this month.

A car wash will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 30 at the post to raise money for the World War II monument scheduled to be placed at the Common this fall.

Organizers need to raise $8,000. A chicken barbecue will likely be held in mid-August to help with the monument’s cost.

The post is also hosting its annual fund-raiser Saturday, July 16.

The event will feature a horseshoe tournament. Registration starts at 11 a.m. and prizes will be awarded to the first and second place winners.

There will also be a dunk tank, raffles, live music by Final Approach and a chicken and ribs dinner at 5 p.m featuring chicken, ribs, baked potato, corn on the cob and salad.

All proceeds benefit the post.