Summer is here, bringing the Holliston Newcomers & Neighbors 2021-2022 membership year to a close. It’s time to look back at its accomplishments. HNN’s mission—to coordinate charitable, civic and recreational events and activities that benefit the Holliston community— also includes the people of our community. Though not completely working to its pre-COVID capacity, HNN reached out to our community and into our members. 

HNN successfully coordinated a donation drive for both Thanksgiving and Easter Baskets supporting the Holliston Pantry Shelf and Thanksgiving Meals for Senior Center Seniors. The HNN Community Grant Fund supported our standing community projects—Holliston Parks & Recreation’s Goodwill Park Summer Concerts and selected popular museum passes coordinated by the Holliston Public Library.

Organizing fundraisers to benefit the Community Grant Fund requires a little work, but HNN aims to make these fun events for its membership as well as the community. This year we held our Pumpkin Walk on the Rail Trail in October, a virtual Gingerbread House Decorating event in December (with instruction by Abby from Sincere Cheer), a No-Cook Night with Bazel’s in February, the Prize-A-Day calendar raffle in May and returning Touch-A-Truck in June with the partnership of the Holliston Police Association. These events occurred thanks to member-volunteers who organized and attended these events along with people from the community who donated to and attended these fundraising events. And of course, the community can always help HNN give back by contributing directly to the HNN Community Grant Fund here https://hollistonnewcomers.org/Donate.

HNN isn’t all work and no play. Another goal of HNN is to get people together in our community— especially needed during the pandemic. Many lifelong friendships began at HNN-member social events. This year we were excited to hold both in-person and virtual get-togethers through our monthly book club, and various social activities: our annual holiday party complete with a no-contact Yankee swap, wine tasting at La Cantina Winery in Franklin, and a hike at Noon Hill Reservation in Medfield. Children of our members also enjoyed a few get-togethers at Altitude Trampoline Park in Franklin and Choate Park playground in Medway.

Most important, we could not have accomplished all this without the support of our sponsors:

• Platinum: AnyFence Co
• Gold: Authentic Auto Body, Harelick Dental Associates, Jacks Automotive
• Silver: Abbess Instruments, Bright Agency Jensen Sheehan Insurance, Franks Appliance Services, Goldfish Swim School of Milford, Magical Moments Vacation (with Donna Goyette)
• Bronze: Anastas Lock & Safe Co, Archambault Construction, Blessed Beginnings Preschool, Bon Fete/Hostess Helper, Deland Law Office, Holliston Sewer Service Inc, Superior Shoe Repair, Prana Yoga & Acting Center

This past year, HNN was able to give back and bring people together—our mission. Whether you have lived in Holliston two weeks, two months, two years or more, Holliston Newcomers & Neighbors has something for you. If HNN sounds like something, you want to be a part of – then become a member at https://hollistonnewcomers.org/members. We look forward to a new year of membership fun starting in the fall as well as participating in town wide events. See you around town!