Spirit of Giving: Nonprofits To Support In Marlborough

MARLBOROUGH, MA—It's easy to find a charity. Swing a stick and you'll hit some organization, somewhere, raising money for some cause. But many want to keep it truly local, and help the neighbors around you or the charities that operate right in your community.

The season of giving is upon us. After we smash into people with our carts and knock everyone over at the retail stores for Black Friday, and sit online grabbing red hot deals on Cyber Monday, we turn our thoughts to #GivingTuesday.

Celebrated on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving (in the U.S.) #GivingTuesday kicks off the charitable season on Nov. 28. Since its inaugural year in 2012, #GivingTuesday has become a movement that celebrates and supports giving and philanthropy with events throughout the year and a growing catalog of resources, said the organization.

Here is a list of five nonprofit organizations operating or helping in Marlborough. Learn more about them.

1. Special Olympics Massachusetts: provides year-round sports training and athletics competition in a variety of olympic-type sports for individuals with intellectual disabilities of all ages by providing them with continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, prepare for entry into school and community programming, express courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other special olympics athletes, their peers and the community.
2. SADD, Inc.: organization headquartered in Marlborough, SADD supports a national network by equipping SADD chapters with scientific-based, peer-to-peer educational trainings, programs & events, awareness campaigns, and leadership development opportunities.
3. Boys & Girls Clubs of Metrowest: the second largest Boys & Girls Club organization in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and serves the communities surrounding Marlborough, Hudson and Framingham. Each year, BGCMW provides youth development, education, prevention, social, athletic, and recreation programs to over 3,500 at-risk children and teens.
4. Cat Rescue of Marlborough and Hudson: Originally named MAAS, CaRMaH was founded in 2002 in response to the feral and homeless cat population in Marlborough, Hudson and surrounding towns. MAAS began a trap, neuter, return (TNR) program for these cats in 2002, with feeding stations where the cats are fed daily. In 2012, the name was changed to Cat Rescue of Marlborough and Hudson (CaRMaH) to better reflect its goals. As an all-volunteer organization, the organization maintains a foster care adoption program, with Meow Mixers (meet and greet events) twice a week at the Hudson Petsmart.
5. Thrive Support and Advocacy: For more than 40 years, Thrive Support & Advocacy (formerly Greater Marlboro Programs) has promoted the personal growth, dignity and acceptance of people with developmental disabilities in the MetroWest area.
6. Marlborough Community Cupboard: its mission is to give support to individuals and families who find themselves experiencing economic and personal challenges by providing food assistance and programs that promote self-sufficiency.

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