You Ask, Patch Answers

How Much Money Did Melrose Kids Raise for Marathon Bombing Victims?

A group of Melrose kids held a lemonade and lollipop sale Saturday afternoon. Find out how much money they raised for OneFundBoston, a city-established account where donations can be made to support victims of the Boston Marathon bombings.

After reading our story about Melrose kids looking to raise money from a lemonade and lollipop sale to help the Boston Marathon bombing victims, a reader asked, "How much money did they raise?" So, Melrose Patch found out. "The girls raised $238 to give to (OneFundBoston)," wrote Melrose resident Melissa Cunningham in an email to Melrose Patch. All proceeds will go to OneFundBoston, which is a city-established account where donations can be made to support the victims of the Boston Marathon bombings.  Three people died and more than 100 were injured in the bombings during the race on Patriots' Day. A group of Melrose kids sold the lemonade and lollipops for two hours Saturday afternoon at 36 Woodcrest Dr.

• Photos (1)

Melrose Alliance Against Violence Seeking Mentors

The organization needs your help.

Superstorm Sandy Relief: How You Can Help

Here is how Massachusetts residents' donations can aid victim's in the most affected areas.

Massachusetts was largely spared from catastrophic damage from Superstorm Sandy, but residents in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and other coastal areas were not so lucky. Patch has gathered some local resources if you want to help in relief efforts. Volunteers in New Jersey are being coordinated through an emergency response hotline, 1-800-JERSEY-7 (1-800-537-7397). Alternate numbers, for when the hotline isn’t staffed, include 609-775-5236 and 908-303-0471 or emails can be sent to Rowena.Madden@sos.state.nj.us. The New York City agency NYC Service is coordinating volunteers for various relief projects in New York City. Go to its Facebook page or email nycservice@cityhall.nyc.gov with your name and email address. The American Red Cross…

•  2 Comments
• Photos (1)

TELL US: Who Makes a Difference in Melrose?

Help showcase people who are doing great things in your community with our new feature, Count Us In.

Your neighbor who volunteers at the library, civic-minded scouts and the Little League coach in your community may not seem to have much in common at first glance. But Patch’s new initiative, Count Us In, aspires to bring together all Good Samaritans by highlighting residents who are exemplary at making your community a more positive place. Melrose is a giving community, as is evident by the many dedicated volunteers in town, as well as the charitible groups, organizations and centers that can be found in the city. The Servant's Hear Food Pantry, churches and other nonprofit organizations in city are at the heart of this charitable community. The schools, public and private, often partner with organizations in the city to host initiatives …

• Photos (1)

Former Melrosian to Run Samaritans' 5K

One of the teams participating in the race is “Team Jonathan D’Ampolo." Their team captain, Maria D’Ampolo, is participating for the second year in memory of her cousin, Jonathan, who died in 2009. Growing up Jonathan and Maria lived in Melrose.

A former Melrose resident is expected to participate in Samaritans' 14th annual Run For Someone Else’s Life 5K Run/Walk and Family Fun Festival on Saturday, Sept. 29 along the Charles River, according to a press statement. One of the teams participating in the race is “Team Jonathan D’Ampolo," according to the statement. Their team captain, Maria D’Ampolo, is participating for the second year in memory of her cousin, Jonathan, who died in 2009, notes the statement. Growing up Jonathan and Maria lived in Melrose, read the statement. "After I lost Jonathan, I didn’t know how to deal with it. A friend reached out to me and encouraged me to go to a meeting supported by Samaritans called Safe Place in Medford," Maria D'Ampolo said in the …

•  1 Comment
• Photos (16)

PAWS Pet of the Week

Emma Needs a Home

This 10-years-young couch potato is looking for a new home—could it be yours?

Wow, are you looking at me? That is me in the picture! My name is Emma, I'm a collie-mix, and I want you to love me. I already love you because, well, I'm a very friendly dog. And, I bet this will not surprise you, but I want to go home with you. I do. I really do. Right now, I'm living at the VCA Wakefield Animal Hospital, but I don’t belong here. This is a hospital and I'm not sick. And, I don’t like being kept in a cage. During the day I don't mind it too much because I get to hang out at the reception area. There are many people working here and everyone pats me and says I'm wonderful. They're all so nice and I'm friendly with them. They tell me I'm laid back and relaxed. Someone said something about a couch potato. I'm not sure about …

• Photos (2)

Lots of Love Cat Rescue's Pet of the Week

Will You Adopt Captain and Morgan?

This shy duo needs a caring home to go to.

[Editor's note: The following column was submitted by Lots of Love Cat Rescue.] Ahoy there! Come aboard and meet our pirate kittens, Captain and Morgan. Upon laying eyes on them, you might want to shout, “Well shiver me timbers!” because together, these adorable mates share a pair of eyes. That’s right, Captain has the left one and his sister, the right one. However, they can run with the best of them, with their amusing kitten energy. Before saved, both lived a harsh outside life, constant pain from infected eyes. Because someone spotted them and took action, they became the lucky ones. Both kittens are healthy and stunning. Captain has a beautiful blend of gray and white fur. His right eye had to be removed because it was so infected. …

• Photos (1)

PAWS Pet of the Week

Will You Bring Home Petite? [PHOTOS, VIDEOS]

This small cat needs a loving home to go to.

Small, but sassy, that is me, Petite, a gorgeous eight-pound tuxedo girl with white socks and a big need of human affection and kisses. I love to play and explore, but will always be happy for a long session of petting first. If you call me, I will come running and then I will roll on my back and play. I'm still a kitten, less than a year old, and have my kitten behaviors. But, I can also be very mellow, sitting in the window and watching the world go by or snuggling in bed with you at night. Mellow only goes so far, however. Wait until dinner when I come running at the sound of the can top popping. I have a quiet meow, but I like to use it. If you listen, you will hear me thank you for my meal. Despite my size, I really do like to be in …

• Photos (4)
• Videos (2)

PAWS Pet of the Week

Kelly RB Needs a Loving Home [PHOTOS]

Will you adopt this sweet tiger?

Everyone who sees me says I'm right from the jungle. I don't understand this at all. Yes, I'm a tiger cat. OK, I'm a BIG tiger cat. Well, a huge tiger cat. But really, if you come to meet me you will learn the truth: I'm quite civilized and downright sweet. Yes, that’s me, Kelly RB, a young, laidback brown tiger. My idea of fun is hanging out, looking impressive. I also like to sit in the window and watch the birds and squirrels. Watch is the operative word here. I'm not a hunter.  I'm very mellow. Mostly, you’ll find me lumbering around the house looking for friends to hang out with. I love to be combed and patted. I would be happy to watch the game with you.  Or, I could just take a nap and you could admire me. That would be fine. I …

• Photos (4)

The Faceless Soul of Melrose Honored at Volunteer Park Rededication

Fourth grader Mary-Kate Mahoney's idea to honor the city's volunteers came to fruition last Thursday, when Warren Street Park was officially renamed Volunteer Park.

Volunteers are the faceless people of history, said Horace Mann School fourth grader Mary-Kate Mahoney, who never give in and never give up. "The people who are the soul of cities and the heart of humanity," Mahoney said to the people assembled last Thursday at the park on the corner of Warren and Melrose Streets. "The people who will never have their names in history books, but will remain in our hearts forever." With those words, Mahoney bestowed Warren Street Park with its new name: "Volunteer Park," an idea Mahoney came up last summer with while on vacation in Washington D.C. At the rededication ceremony on June 21, Mahoney told the crowd—after first eschewing the use of a megaphone held by Mayor Rob Dolan—that as she looked at the …

• Photos (8)
• Videos (1)