NCL News

NCL DISTRIBUTES $14,620 BACK TO THE COMMUNITY IN MAY 2008

The board members of the Norfolk Community League (NCL) met this week for it’s biannual disbursements of funds. A total of $14,620 was distributed back into the community. The organizations that will benefit are: The Council on Aging who will begin planning an outdoor recreation facility. The H. Olive Day school will use funds to support the Open Circle Parenting Programs, and The Fun With Friends Club along with new art smocks for the Kindergarten classrooms. The Norfolk Fire Dept will acquire new state of the art Patient Care Report Technology. Financial Assistance for membership to the Hockomock YMCA summer program will allow children in need to go to summer camp. The newly formed King Philip Swim Team will be able to start their program, GO TEAM!! King Philip is also getting funds to help with their amazing after Graduation Party. The Norfolk Recreation Department will use funds to purchase a large portion of the materials needed to run the Free Summer Playground. NCL will continue to sponsor the Science Museum Pass through the library. Last year Norfolk residents saved over $4,000 by borrowing this pass!! Financial assistance will be given to families wanting to attend the Norfolk Children’s School but are in need of help.

7th Annual Haunted Train Ride

Spring has sprung, summer is on its way. That means it's time to start thinking about Halloween!! Save the date for the 7th Annual Haunted Train and Hay Ride, slated for October at Holmes Field on Myrtle Street. Rain Date will be a week later. This popular night is co-sponsored by NCL and the Norfolk Lions. What new features or creatures will appear this year??? We will have a sign up sheet at the NCL Year-end party for volunteers. As you know, it takes a small army of people to pull off this magical night. A couple of hours is all we ask. Of course, if you want to join us on the committee and planning all of the spooky stuff, just call us - the more the scarier! We have a committee meeting scheduled for June - location and time TBD. Thanks for your support and help! Call or email either of us with any questions or suggestions! Tracy Hilfrank and Tara Spellman 508-541-2388 or tchilfrank@comcast.net;508-384-6354 or davtar01@comcast.net

NCL gives $14,000 to the Community in January

NCL is proud to report that due to the continued support and collective efforts of our fund-raising volunteers, we were able to disburse the following monies:

$1,500 Norfolk Fire Dept for the Advanced Life Support gear for a fire engine.
$2,000 Norfolk Fire Dept for Fire Prevention Program from school age children to senior citizens.
$250 H. Olive Day School SPED program - DVD player.
$2,350 Norfolk Recreation Dept - Portable PA System
$1,500 H. Olive Day School Fun with Friends Program
$750 Norfolk Co-op Preschool Scholarship
$2,500 Norfolk Public Library - Purchase Children's Books (ages 7 -12)
$2,000 Stony Brook Wildlife Sanctuary - Purchase of optics for new learning space.
$750 King Phillip Music Association - Purchase of bass clarinet for Jazz Band.
$750 H. Olive Day Computer Program - Purchase of headphones with microphones.

NCL Raises nearly $20,000 at Autumn Charity Auction

Thanks to the efforts of Betsy D'Ambrosia, Lisa Scibilia, and all the many NCL members and volunteers who supported the Autumn Charity Auction, we were able to raise nearly $20,000, which will be distributed directly back to our community.

6th Annual Haunted Train Ride distributes over $4,200

The Norfolk Community League (NCL) and the Norfolk Lions Club presented the proceeds from the 2007 Haunted Train Ride and Spooky Hay Ride to two deserving organizations last week. The distribution was as follows: $2,063 to the Norfolk Food Pantry and $2,063 to Norfolk Girl's Softball for upgrade of Norfolk Softball fields. The 6th Annual Haunted Train Ride was held on October 13th at the Holmes Fields. A sold-out crowd of over 1,200 came to be thrilled and scared by the scenes created by numerous Norfolk groups. Needless to say, the entire evening could not take place without the generosity of Dick Holmes and the entire Holmes family. By allowing the Norfolk Lions and NCL to transform their property for the delight of the children of Norfolk and the benefit of the community, they have helped to create a wonderful fall tradition. Their generosity goes beyond the use of their property as they assist the effort by moving props, driving the trains and helping to set up and take down the scenes. They do this quietly and with a smile on their faces. The Train Ride could not exist without them.

The 6th Annual Haunted Train Ride and Spooky Hay Ride was planned by a group of dedicated individuals. The committee is Scott Dittrich, Joe Sebastiano, Tom Grant, Dave Lutes, Stephen McDonough, Barbara Snead and Marie Chiofolo from the Norfolk Lions and Tracy Hilfrank, Tara Spellman, Joan Piller and Kerry DeVellis from NCL.

The Norfolk Lions has been in existence since 1958 and strives to make our community better through a number of worthwhile projects. Today the Norfolk Lions has more than 40 men and women dedicated to the motto "We serve". The Lions are the largest service organization in the world with over 1.6 million members in 143 countries. Our annual events include Community Day, the Haunted Train Ride, and the Christmas Tree Sale. Our recent projects include a combined effort (with other Lions Clubs) to build a trail for the visually impaired at Stony Brook Nature Center. The Lions meet on the fourth Tuesday of each month for a dinner meeting and prospective members are always welcome. Call Don Hanssen at 508-520-0225 for more information. Check out our website at geocities.com/norfolklionsclub/.

NCL Distributes $21,000 to Community for Fiscal Year June 2006-May 2007

DARE Program $640 (Haunted Train Ride with Norfolk Lions)
Santa Foundation $640 (Haunted Train Ride with Norfolk Lions)
Phil's Friends (PAM Challenge) $200
Wrentham State School $100
Norfolk Baseball $250
Norfolk Softball $250
Norfolk Together $1,394
KP Scholarship Fund $1,000
Non KP Scholarship $500
King Phillip High School - Portable Scoreboard $2,300
Norfolk Recreation - Summer Playground   $1,500
Norfolk Public Library   $300
Norfolk 4-H Cottontail Club   $250
Norfolk Cooperative Preschool - Scholarship Fund $500
Norfolk Council on Aging $1,000
Norfolk Public School - Fun with Friends $1,000
Norfolk Public Library - Museum of Science Pass $600; $5,000 for books on CD (Haunted Train Ride); $300 Toddler Program
Norfolk Fire Dept - School Prevention Program $1,500
Norfolk DPW $ 475
Hockomock YMCA - Reach Out to Youth $600

NCL is pleased to announce it was awarded the Massachusetts Association of School Committees' Outstanding School Partner award. This award is being granted to NCL for the cumulative efforts that past boards and volunteers have made to raise funds for the betterment of the schools and the community as a whole. To see the nomination letter written by Kim Williams of the Norfolk School Committee click here.

Haunted Train Ride proceeds benefit Norfolk Public Library, Santa Foundation and Norfolk D.A.R.E program

5th Annual Haunted Train Ride Distributes $6,280

Norfolk - The Norfolk Community League (NCL) and the Norfolk Lions Club presented the $6, 280 in proceeds from the 2006 Haunted Train Ride and Spooky Hay Ride to 3 deserving organizations last week. The distribution was as follows: $5,000 to the Norfolk Public Library's Books on CD Collection, $640 to Santa Foundation and $640 to Norfolk D.A.R.E. program.

The 5th Annual Haunted Train Ride was held on October 14th at the Holmes Field. Record crowds came to be thrilled and scared by the scenes created by numerous Norfolk groups. The Norfolk Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts created a haunted graveyard, Norfolk Fire and Police Departments dressed as creatures from the woods, Norfolk Community League created a Witch's Banquet, Haunted House, Pirate Ghostship, and Mayan Temple Ruins, Norfolk Community League's "Scary Men" revived their Zombies, the King Philip Leos spooked riders with their coffin escapades and chainsaw man, the Hockomock YMCA Young Leaders Group dressed as scary clowns, Carol Ann Ramos created a creepy mausoleum and graveyard, Angelo and Alex Quartarone brought along their fabulous tributes to Monster Movies and their stars, and the Norfolk Lions spun a glow-in-the dark web, came out of the Lagoon and created mayhem along the ride.

New this year was the Spooky Hay Ride through Jack-O-Lantern Alley. The Norfolk Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts, as well as many members of the community, carved hundreds of pumpkins to light the way. The Adirondack Club acted as scarecrows and headless persons in search of their carved heads.

While waiting in line for their turn, visitors were entertained by DJ Sean of Pepper Productions of Franklin. Norfolk residents "Pumpkin Man" and "Pumpkin Jr". greeted riders at the beginning of the train ride. Both sat with a carved pumpkin on their shoulders for close to 4 hours. Norfolk Lions members cooked up hot dogs, hamburgers, and drinks.

Students from Ursuline Academy and Catholic Memorial High School helped man the tattoo booth, dressed as witches and played swashbuckling pirates.

Needless to say, the entire evening could not take place without the generosity of Dick Holmes and the entire Holmes family. By allowing the Norfolk Lions and NCL to transform their property for the delight of the children of Norfolk and the benefit of the community, they have helped to create a wonderful fall tradition. Their generosity goes beyond the use of their property as they assist the effort by moving props, driving the trains and helping to set up and take down the scenes. They do this quietly and with a smile on their faces. The Train Ride could not exist without them.

The 5th Annual Haunted Train Ride and Spooky Hay Ride was planned by a group of dedicated individuals. The committee is Scott Dittrich, Joe Sebastiano, Carol Greene, Tom Grant and Marie Chiofolo from the Norfolk Lions and Tracy Hilfrank, Tara Spellman and Colleen Sepich from NCL.

The Norfolk Lions has been in existence since 1958 and strives to make our community better through a number of worthwhile projects. Today the Norfolk Lions has more than 40 men and women dedicated to the motto "We serve". The Lions are the largest service organization in the world with over 1.6 million members in 143 countries. Our annual events include Community Day, the Haunted Train Ride, and the Christmas Tree Sale. Our recent projects include a combined effort (with other Lions Clubs) to build a trail for the visually impaired at Stony Brook Nature Center. The Lions meet on the fourth Tuesday of each month for a dinner meeting and prospective members are always welcome. Call Gail Bernardo at 508-528-4468 or Paul Terrio at 508-528-8198 for more information. Check out our website at geocities.com/norfolklionsclub/

Norfolk Community League has been in existence for over 30 years. Their mission is to enhance the quality of life for Norfolk residents, to increase involvement in activities that better our community, and to strengthen community spirit. All fundraising efforts are distributed back into town causes and groups. For information on joining, please contact president Colleen Sepich at 508-541-3002 or visit their website at http://www.norfolkcommunityleague.org/.

Thank you to all who donated candy to the 2006 Halloween Candy Give Back. We are very pleased to announce that over 560 lbs of candy was collected!!! Our chosen charity this year, “Birthday Wishes”, was overwhelmed with your generosity. “Birthday Wishes” is an organization that facilitates birthday parties for children in group homes and foster care. Last year, Birthday Wishes used over 400 lbs. of candy for that purpose. We are excited to have exceeded that amount and hope that will allow them to plan parties for even more children. The winners of the two Toys R Us gift cards were Lydia Andrews and Declan Breen. Thanks to all who supported this event.