“This alert is being sent by the Detective Division of The Fairhaven Police Department.

Missing and endangered: A 73-year-old Kenneth Parks. 6’3″ tall, medium build. Was last seen wearing a black jacket, grey sweatpants, beige shoes. Kenneth is nonverbal. Last seen in the area of Cushman Park in Fairhaven at approximately 2:00 p.m this afternoon.

If you have seen or know the whereabouts please contact the Fairhaven Police at 508-997-7421.”

The Be Like Brit Foundation was established by Cherylann and Len Gengel to honor the life of their daughter, Britney Gengel who died tragically in the 2010 earthquake in Haiti along with approximately 300,000 others. Brit’s Home in Grand-Goâve, Haiti was built to honor the memory of Brit and her life and commitment to serving those less fortunate. In just two years, amidst an earthquake-ravaged country, atop a mountain overlooking the town and Gulf of Gonave, our 19,000 square foot earthquake-proof facility was built. Today, Brit’s Home houses 66 children and has welcomed more than 1,800 “Britsionarys.”

SkillsUSA Advisor and Dental Assisting Instructor Mrs. Beverly Rebelo learned about the Be Like Brit Foundation through the SkillsUSA state competition. SkillsUSA Massachusetts has been in partnership with Be Like Brit for several years. As years passed, the Be Like Brit Foundation began building houses for Haitian families in need as part of their “Bristionary” trips to Haiti after Hurricane Matthew in 2016. During these Bristionary trips – groups spend 7 days building a home for a Haitian family in the mornings and working with the children at the orphanage in the evenings.

Mrs. Rebelo had the idea to take 10 students to Haiti and build a home and bring the Artisan Imprint internationally. She presented the idea to GNBVT administration and after getting approval, Mrs. Rebelo sought out the help of Mr. Henry DeGrace, a Diesel Service Technology instructor and Military Veteran with personal knowledge of Haiti and its people.

The idea was presented to the School Committee for final approval. Then all sophomore students were provided with a flyer at the completion of their ELA MCAS testing in the spring of 2019 and an informational session was held shortly after. Over 60 students attended this meeting and 53 students applied for the opportunity to take part in this life-changing experience.

Students who were interested were asked to write an essay expressing their interest and what they’ve learned about the Haitian people and what helping the underserved means to them. Ten of the 53 students were chosen based on their essay, academic performance, attendance and discipline records, willingness to be a member of the SkillsUSA organization and teacher recommendations.

The following students, who are now in their senior year were chosen:

• Jaydian Cepeda – Diesel Service Technology
• Tyler Soares – Carpentry
• Madison Tavares – Legal and Protective Services
• Victoria Fernandes – Legal and Protective Services
• Chelsea Martinez – Medical Assisting
• Mackenzie Raposo – Business Technology
• Amber Conroy – Architectural Drafting
• Alexia Barboza – Early Childhood Education
• Heather Belanger – Welding Technology
• Amanda Albino – Information Support Services and Networking

Originally, the trip was supposed to take place during the week of March 29, 2020 – April 4, 2020. The cost to fund travel and lodging expenses totalled at $23,400.00. The money was raised through the help of many sponsors, and various fundraising events
held between April 2019 and February of 2020. Unfortunately, in March 2020, the trip was postponed due to the COVID crisis per district administration and the Be Like Brit Foundation. In lieu of attending this trip, Mrs. Rebelo, Mr. DeGrace, and the students who were to attend felt it best to postpone this trip indefinitely and donate the money raised to the foundation.
According to Ms. Gengel, the $23,400 will be used to further advance Brit’s Academy.

Although the group could not physically go to Haiti as planned, these teachers and students still leave the artisan imprint in Haiti through their hard work and dedication to Be Like Brit and the foundation’s mission.

All photos by the “Be Like Brit” Foundation:

See more photos of the work Brit and the “Be Like Brit” Foundation are doing and have done here

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story identified the person who lost his father as a female. It was, in fact, a male.

“I want to put this up on this page. My father was a Vietnam veteran and lived in New Bedford since I was born. (He’s pictured in the middle holding the black POW-MIA flag)

He had his battle with cancer. He passed Sunday afternoon 3/14/21 and it’s upsetting to me to say cancer won. I know New Bedford is a small community where everyone knows everyone it would seem. Many people knew my father and, yes, people always asked how was he doing.

If you knew him and want to message me I’d enjoy hearing how you knew my Dad. He marched in the parade many many years. I worked with my dad in the Madeira Feast.

He definitely was loved. He will be missed. He’s finally free from suffering and I just hope we all can just remember Jimmy “Popcorn” Freitas ❤️”-Harley Freitas.

Photo by Harley Freitas.

Photo by Harley Freitas.

Photo by Harley Freitas.

Eleventh grant round made possible, in part, with funding from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development.

The SouthCoast Community Foundation announced it is awarding $1.3 million in grants from its SouthCoast Emergency Response Fund to 20 nonprofits from the Southeastern Massachusetts region. The selected 501(c)3 organizations exhibited a proven track record of supporting immigrant households, regardless of status and serving populations whose economic hardship was exacerbated by COVID-19. The awarded funds, made possible, in part, with funding from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development, will be used to alleviate costs related to basic needs, such as food security, emergency childcare, housing, technology for remote work/school, transportation, and utilities.

“This is our eleventh grant round and the first of several we will be issuing from the Fund in 2021,” said John Vasconcellos, President of SouthCoast Community Foundation. “The Commonwealth’s support of our emergency response along with the generous support from families, individuals, other foundations, and businesses has allowed us to continue to respond as we did from the very start of the pandemic. We are honored to be able to lead such a powerful philanthropic response to this crisis and grateful to the amazing nonprofit partners who, every day, connect the needs of those in our community with the help they deserve.”

Grants ranging from $23,500 to $95,000 are being issued to the following grantees:

• Attleboro Area Interfaith Collaborative
• Attleboro YMCA
• Brockton Area Multi-Services, Inc.
• Brockton Family and Community Resources, Inc.
• Brockton Interfaith Community
• Brockton Neighborhood Health Center
• Catholic Social Services (Fall River)
• Community Economic Development Center of SE MA (New Bedford)
• Centro Comunitario de Trabajadores (New Bedford)
• Citizens for Citizens (Fall River)
• Health Imperatives, Inc. (Fall River)
• Hockomock Area YMCA (Attleboro)
• Immigrants’ Assistance Center (New Bedford)
• NorthStar Learning Centers (New Bedford)
• Old Colony YMCA (Brockton)
• PACE, Inc. (New Bedford)
• The Literacy Center (Attleboro)
• United Way of Greater Fall River
• United Way of Greater New Bedford
• YMCA Southcoast (New Bedford)

“We are incredibly grateful for the support of the SouthCoast Community Foundation,” said Vinnie Marturano, President & CEO of Old Colony YMCA. “The pandemic has been especially difficult for immigrant families in our community, and these funds will have a major impact on our ability to help the children and families most in need. Food insecurity and access to safe, quality childcare services are two of the most pressing issues we see every day, and we appreciate the Foundation’s investment in this work.”

The SouthCoast Community Foundation established the SouthCoast Emergency Response Fund in partnership with local funders in March of 2020. The Fund provides flexible resources to organizations that work with those most impacted by COVID19. To date, the organization has raised $8.3 million and granted $6.8 million to 132 nonprofits. Donations to the SouthCoast Emergency Fund can be made online. For general inquiries about the Fund, please contact emergencyfund@southcoastcf.org.

The Foundation is a public charity serving thousands of people throughout Southeastern Massachusetts who share a common goal of improving the quality of life through philanthropy. Since 1995, the Community Foundation has distributed $50 million from approximately 200 funds to humanitarian, educational, and cultural organizations in the region. To learn more about the Community Foundation, visit www.southcoastcf.org.

“Ok guys and gals, an amazing follow-up to the picture I posted yesterday of a guy pushing a cart around the park.

I was sitting down in the park and the same guy came by again. This time he’s not getting by me until this nosey guy finds out what the heck this is all about.

This guy is a retired flight attendant and was working and just landed on his flight in Boston on 9-11. He knew a lot of the people who worked on the planes that went down. The cart is a beverage cart from an actual plane, and he is going to walk from Boston to New York at the 9-11 site pushing this thing all the way!!!!

He’s been training for a while now, his name is Paul Veneto, he is from Milton, MA. He is starting his journey on September 1st with a goal of getting to New York on September 11th.

We talked for aw hile and he’s a great guy. I’m making this public so hopefully, it will go viral and he gets a lot of attention. Good luck Paul!”-Billy Ryan.

“ATTENTION HOME AQUARIUM OWNERS:

Invasive zebra mussels were recently found in “moss balls,” an aquarium plant product sold at aquarium and pet supply stores. Zebra mussels are one of the most destructive invasive species in North America.

If you recently purchased moss balls, DO NOT DUMP THEM. Immediately destroy them using one of these methods:

• Freeze: Place the moss ball into a sealable plastic bag and freeze for at least 24 hours.
• Boil: Place the moss ball in boiling water for at least 1 minute.
• Bleach/vinegar: Submerge the moss ball in undiluted white vinegar or chlorine bleach for 20 minutes (use one cup of bleach to one gallon of water).

DISPOSE of the moss ball and its packaging in a sealed plastic bag in the trash. Do NOT dispose of moss balls in drains, waterways, or gardens.

If moss balls were placed in your aquarium, DISINFECT the tank and all of its contents. Aquatic plants may harbor zebra mussels and should also be destroyed with the moss balls. Find more information and specific instructions on how you should clean your aquarium at: www.fws.gov/fisheries/ANS/zebra-mussel-disposal.html.”

Massachusetts Environmental Police photo.

“Earlier today Lieutenant Colonel Scott Warmington, Detective Lieutenant Brian Anderson, Sergeant Steve Godfrey, and Trooper Mike Close of the Massachusetts State Police, joined Troopers Steve Valair and Philip Giardino, organizers of the Massachusetts State Police Memorial Foundation, and Officer John O’Toole of the Boston Police Hockey Team to present a $5,000 check to members of Bishop Feehan High School’s Hockey Team.

The donation will benefit “AJ’s Army”, which was formed to provide long-term support to the Quetta Family after AJ Quetta, a senior at BFHS, suffered a severe spinal cord injury on the ice during a game in January.

Massachusetts State Police photo.

The proceeds came in from the sale of custom-made gaiter-style facemasks with the logos of both the Massachusetts State Police and Boston Police printed on them.

Troopers Valair and Giardino volunteer their time to run the MSP Memorial Fund after assuming control of it from Trooper Mike Close and Lieutenant Sean Newman three years ago. The Memorial Fund would normally have held its 15th annual Memorial Foundation Hockey tournament just last Friday. At the annual event more than 130 active and retired members of the MSP would have played in a tournament in the name of all of their fallen brothers and sisters.

At the conclusion of the tournament a dinner where money is raised through raffles and auctions. The highlight of the night, however, is when the foundation awards ten $1,000 scholarships to children of the members of the Massachusetts State Police. Due to the pandemic the Memorial Foundation was unable to hold their only money raising event of the year and in turn foundation created an online store via Instagram with the purpose of selling MSP Hockey apparel. Since the launch of the Instagram page the Memorial Foundation was able to donate thousands of dollars to local charities.

Massachusetts State Police photo.

The online store is currently closed, however, this Saturday starting at 10am the Memorial Foundation will be holding a “Pop up” shop at the State Police Barracks in South Boston. All gear will be available for purchase.

To learn more about the Memorial Foundation, or to check out the gear, find them on Instagram at @msp_hockey.”

“I would like to know if you can post my story. I am looking for my biological family and was hoping you can help share my story.

My birth certificate and all my documents are not from my birth parents. I was born on Azores S. Miguel in an institution they called an old hospital and a female worker there did all my paperwork under her and husband’s name.

Back then it was very easy because 44 years ago when I was born they didn’t have too much medical assistance.

I was not raised by my birth parents. I would very much like to be able to see my real parents, in blood. I have several brothers, I know we are a big family. I would love to see and hug them.

I was not esteemed and I was badly loved. As the old saying goes: “Blood cries.” I really wanted my blood family to know that I am looking for them.

I was born 9-10 – 1976. I suspect that my birth mother lived in the Fort Rodman/beach area in the south end.

_______________________________________________________________________

Publico aqui no facebook o seguinte:

Não fui criada pelos meus pais biológicos. Gostava muito de poder ver os meus pais verdadeiros, de sangue. Tenho vários irmãos, sei que somos uma família grande.

Gostava muito de os ver e abraçar. Não fui estimada e fui mal amada. Como diz o velho ditado: “O sangue chora.”

Queria muito que a minha família de sangue soube-sse que os procuro. Agradeço e peço a ajuda de quem souber do seu paradeiro, faço o pedido para me contactar.

Obrigado.

I thank you and ask for the help of anyone who knows of your whereabouts, Please contact me at 774-328-8952.”-Carla Serpa.

Photo by Carla Serpa.

“READING REMOTELY WAS JUST AS REWARDING!

For the 28th year in a row, Massachusetts State Police Captain Daniel Richard recently served as a Community Reader for “Read Across America” for a third grade class at the Johnny Appleseed School in Leominster.

The challenges faced by the teachers and students by COVID made this year’s event a unique challenge. The students connected with Captain Richard on a virtual platform, and although they were not in the same room, Captain Richard found the experience just as rewarding as ever.

He hopes to return to the school later in the school year and see his new friends in person!”

Massachusetts State Police photo.

On Feb. 22, Troopers Paul Dabene and Darius McPherson rescued a wayward swan that was walking on the westbound side of the busy Massachusetts Turnpike in Weston. They protected the swan until Weston Animal Control Officer Karen O’Reilly arrived on-scene.

ACO O’Reilly surmised that the young swan miscalculated his landing and ended up on the highway instead of the river below it. “Since swans need about 30 yards to take flight, and being a bit stunned, he was unable to get airborne with all of the traffic,” Weston Police wrote on their Facebook page. After checking him out, ACO O’Reilly released the swan back to the Charles River, where he happily found and joined his flock, which had congregated directly beneath the section of the highway where he had landed.”

Well, if one happy swan ending is good, two are better. And wouldn’t you know it, at the risk of being typecast as a Swan Whisperer, Trooper Dabene came to the rescue again.

This past Sunday, Trooper Dabene was patrolling the Pike when he responded to the westbound side in Newton, where another swan, seen here in both photos, had got into a bit of bind. Trooper Dabene and some Good Samaritans who stopped to help were able to herd the swan from a travel lane into the breakdown lane and kept the bird safe there until Weston Animal Control responded yet again.

Swan #2 was also released back to a more appropriate landing spot and he, too, is presumably back enjoying his daily paddling on the river, safe from the Turnpike traffic.

Great job by all involved! And if you see a swan in distress on a highway, call Trooper Dabene … (kidding, just call us at 911 and we’ll send the closest available Trooper).

Massachusetts State Police photo.