FUND-RAISER FOR SPECIAL-NEEDS CHILDREN: Steve Chaggaris of Malden and Mike Mele of Lynn are lending support to the Federation for Children with Special Needs with a benefit performance in Boston tomorrow.
The members of the Tough Love Jazz Trio, including Blake Newman of Cambridge, are playing at the federation's annual fund-raising gala at the Seaport World Trade Center.
The band is dedicating its performance to Newman's 8-year-old son, Sebastian, who has Down syndrome.
After Sebastian was diagnosed at 9 months old, "the federation was one of the first places we called," Newman said. "They helped us get in touch with early intervention specialists, file paperwork, and answer some really tough questions. It was so comforting to know that we could call any time for experienced help, because most of the people who answered the phone had been there themselves."
The Tough Love Jazz Trio - with Chaggaris on percussion, Mele on guitar, and Newman on bass - is active in the Boston jazz scene. Its repertoire is standard and contemporary jazz. The members also have performed and recorded individually.
The federation's annual gala supports programs and initiatives that assist children with special needs and their families. Visit fcsn.org.
STAMP OUT HUNGER: Residents of the Seacoast area of New Hampshire who want to help Stamp Out Hunger can simply leave a bag of nonperishable food next to their mailboxes, prior to the time of regular mail delivery, on Saturday, May 10. Their letter carriers will do the rest.
Now in its 16th year, Stamp Out Hunger is the nation's largest single-day food drive. Since its inception, letter carriers have collected more than 836 million pounds of food nationwide. The food is delivered to local food banks, pantries, and shelters.
"The need is very great, with many food pantries reporting record numbers of men, women, and children seeking assistance," said William H. Young, president of the National Association of Letter Carriers. "And it will only get worse if our economy continues to decline."
The local effort is supported by area letter carriers and the United Way of the Greater Seacoast.
For more information about the annual Stamp Out Hunger campaign in your community, ask your letter carrier or post office or visit helpstampouthunger.com.
TIDYING UP LYNN LIBRARY: Thanks to
The volunteers will paint the children's room, lower rotunda area, the ceiling of the media room, and some offices.
If the weather is nice, they also will help clean up library grounds.
Organizers of the effort also include Jamie Marsh, a library trustee, and Andrea Scalise, an aide to the city's mayor, Edward "Chip" Clancy.
The library is to be closed tomorrow and Saturday because of the project. Call 781-595-0567.
SATURDAY IS FARM DAY: Windrush Farm Therapeutic Equitation Inc. in Boxford will hold Farm Day, its annual spring open house, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.
Situated on 200 acres of woods and fields, Windrush is a nonprofit, working horse farm that has been helping children and adults with physical, emotional, and learning disabilities since 1964.
It offers horse-assisted activities based on the principle that all of us, disabled or not, are capable of more than we think.
Farm Day is when Windrush welcomes the community to see and experience what it does.
The event features pony rides, games, demonstrations, bake sales, plant sales, tractor rides, and clowns.
Admission is free. Call 978-682-7855 or visit windrushfarm.org.
NEW HEAD OF PRESCOTT THEATER ACADEMY: Sarah Shanahan of Portsmouth, N.H., is the new director of the Prescott Park Arts Festival Summer Theater Academy in Portsmouth. The academy aims to develop confidence and advance performance skills in children ages 8 to 12. Shanahan received a bachelor's degree in theater from Emerson College and a master of arts in teaching in speech and drama from the University of New Hampshire. A performer, she also has worked as a choreographer and instructor at the academy for two summers, directed children's theater programs, and taught in local public and private schools.
Items may be sent to wdkilleen@gmail.com. Photos may be sent, as jpeg attachments, to globenorth@globe.com.
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