THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, NOVEmbEr 22, 2024 Page 17 Spreading holiday cheer for kids Saugus Fire Department Toy Drive will begin collecting toys on monday as a three-decades-old tradition continues T he Saugus Fire Department’s Annual Toy Drive is up and running, and its organizers hope to do well again this year. “We hope to have the same success we have had for the past 30 years,” said Retired Saugus Fire Department Capt. Bill O’Malley, who has been spearheading the holiday good will project for more than three decades. “We couldn’t have done it without all the wonderful people from Saugus who have generously donated all these years and helped to put smiles on many children’s faces,” he said. Over the years, the Saugus Lions Club has been a generous supporter of the Saugus Fire Department’s Toy Drive. This year they are teaming up with Webster First Federal Credit Union at 509 Main St. in Saugus and will be collecting toys from Monday, November 25, until Saturday, December 7, when Lily the Lion and Mrs. Claus will be at the Bank to greet everyone. Other drop off locations for donating new unwrapped toys, gift certificates or other items during the first two weeks in December will be at the lobby of the Saugus Fire and Police Department (27 Hamilton St.), Saugus Fire Department (120 Essex St.), Saugus Town Hall (298 Central St.), Saugus Senior Center (466 Central St.), Pearle Vision (739 Broadway, Rte 1 South), Rockland Trust, Village Park on Main Street and North Shore Bank (1 Hamilton St. and 412 Lynn Fells Pkwy.). The Toy Drive helps support many families in need. Any questions? Please call Retired Capt. Bill O’Malley at 781-233-7274. Capt. O’Malley spent 36 years at the Saugus Fire Department before retiring in 2004. But he continues working with other retired Saugus firefighters and active members he calls “Santas’ Elves” in helping to spread a little Christmas cheer to some needy families this time of year. He and his wife Carole have been married for 65 years. And he credits her for being an asset to the holiday mission he’s been running for more than three decades. A FLYER FOR “SANTA’S ELVES”: The Saugus Fire Department’s Toy Drive organizers revealed their plans with this flier, which went out this week. (Courtesy Photo to The Saugus Advocate) ther updates!” Selectman Riley was the driving force behind the nifty program, which had two previous well-attended Saturdays at the Saugus Middle-High School in recent years (last year and 2022). Here’s what’s going on at Saugus Selectmen honored the owners of Hammersmith Family Restaurant on Tuesday night, presenting them with a citation for their 50th anniversary in Saugus. Each selectman took a few minutes to recall their fondest memories of the popular Central Street restaurant. (Saugus Advocate photo by Mark E. Vogler) SOUNDS | FROM PAGE 16 ally stepped up and we are grateful for all the support we received. However, there are more than 1200 veterans’ graves in Riverside and we are hoping that between the community and businesses there will be enough sponsored wreaths to cover all those graves this year. “The Daughters of the American Revolution’s mission is to preserve American history and secure America’s future through education and promoting patriotism. For more information on how to participate or ‘What We Do’ email the Parson Roby Chapter DAR at parsonroby.saugusdar@ gmail.com.” or go to www. wreathsacrossamerica.org/ MA0136P. This ensures your wreath(s) are placed at Riverside Cemetery. Saugus 4-1-1 set for March 1, 2025 The Saugus 4-1-1 Committee would like everyone to know that the Saugus 4-11 event will be taking place on March 1, 2025. Invitations to all new residents as well as nonprofits will be mailed out in January. “We are looking forward to having this wonderful event for new residents as well as those who have been here for years to learn what Saugus has to offer!” Selectman Corinne Riley wrote in an email this week. “Also, if you have a local business or service to promote, send your request or further inquiries to Saugus411@gmail.com. There are ‘Welcome Bags’ that are given out to the new residents with all kinds of information which could include your business or services offered to our Saugus residents. Stay tuned for furthe Saugus Public Library Five bucks for a bag of books! The New Friends of the Saugus Public Library are offering quite a bargain: $5 for a bag of books. Purchase a New Friends of the Saugus Public Library mesh book bag at the Main Desk for $5 and fill it with as many books as you’d like. Proceeds benefit the New Friends so they can support public library services in Saugus. Coming soon at the Saugus Public Library! Foreign language books for adults! Books will be located on the second floor past the Young Adult Fiction section. Spanish, Portuguese, Vietnamese, Arabic and Haitian Creole books will be available to check out. We will also have dual language books and short stories. Read in your native language or practice a language that is new to you! Pongala Photographs: Susan Olesiw has been visiting India and photographTHE SOUNDS | SEE PAGE 18
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