Autism Alliance of Metrowest is an organization created by parents to help families with children…read moreon autism spectrum. IT is a wonderful organization that helped my family a lot. Autism Alliance of Metrowest has special events for autistic kids and their families like Sunday Open Gym, Teen Adventure, Kite Day (kept each April), fathers support group, family clinics and many more. Their office is located at our local library - Morse Institute Library in downtown Natick. I highly recommend Autism Alliance of Metrowest to any family affected by autism. Their website is http://www.autismalliance.org/

I will never go here again. That should start to explain things…read more If it makes it a little confusing, then let me go into detail. We, myself and one other person, came in early on a Wednesday morning. It was the 13th, to be specific. And we came in at approximately 8:56 am. What we didn't know however, was that it was Senior hour from 9:30 am to 10:30. That isn't what I'm complaining about though. Sure, we were a bit miffed that this wasn't on the website when we came but we didn't have any problem with it. We just sat there and waited for our turn. Then, at exactly 10:26, did the rest of the people who weren't 60+ started coming and we were at the front of the line. By now, we were just happy to be getting our turn. Then, a man, whose name I will not disclose, asked if he could move forward with the last people from the line for the 60+. They asked his age, from which he respectfully replied that he was 59. They let him in. But, now you see, this is where the plot thickens. He had someone with him. A woman who was clearly disabled in a walker who needed help to move around. They didn't let her in. This was a conundrum. Why? Let me go back. Before, there was another woman in the 60+ line who pulled along with her a young woman who was clearly in her 30s and very capable of staying behind and waiting her turn. So then, I ask you, was it fair that this 30 yr old was allowed access, while this poor, disabled woman was forced to wait outside, uncomfortable, like a common stray dog? I think not. Hence, the other person that I was with, started asking the guy who was at the front door, why they didn't let the woman in. She, the other person, was very respectful, and tried her best to be understood, because she had a bit of an accent and some words ran together occasionally. The guy looked a bit affronted. Then a woman who worked there came out and the whole thing started all over again. Then, he came out. I believe his name is Will McGovern. The pantry manager. This guy had to be 6'3 maybe, with a beer gut, blond, blue eyes, and holding a shake from McDonalds. He came out with fury in his eyes. He then started spewing, and pardon my language, bullshit about how she was disrespecting his employees, and a whole bunch of other shit. I swear, the guy was on a rampage. The people behind us were shocked. And angry. She looked shocked as well. She vehemently denied this, stating that she had only been asking. Anyone with eyes could see this. Literally anyone. The guy just kept saying "I dunno. I only know what I heard." In this namby-pamby little prissy boy voice. I was shaking by this point. Not from fear though. Oh no, not from fear. Rather, from anger. Anger that this incompetent little overgrown brat called this other person, who happens to be a close family member of mine, a liar. He then proceeded to pluck the card, the card that you use to get in, right from her hand and said that he would permanently take this away from her if she continued to disrespect his employees. I had enough of this by this point. I got right up in his face and told him off. I said, "Sir, I apologize for whatever you think you heard, but clearly, you are not listening. She told you what happened but you just wan't to live in your own little world of denial. I can vouch for this woman. She is trustworthy and she has never lied a day in her life. Never. She is painfully honest." I then started to say MY piece because he had his turn. It was my turn now. He was silent. Shocked in fact. I don't like causing trouble with people. I'm usually pretty easy going. But, this man, no wait, this Lounge Lizard, this social parasite, insulted us, disrespected us, and treated us like we were nothing. Like we were less than nothing. My grandparents didn't come here, to this country, to be treated like some bothersome parasite. We did not fight for our freedom, to be treated like crap. So that, when we need a little help, a little helot get back on our feet, to be treated like a common slave. So, if you, Lounge Lizard, social parasite Will McGovern, are reading this, I hope you feel ashamed of your actions. Will McGovern is a racist man who hates woman and Latinx people!

Excellent organization! Great people! Working for the less fortunate. Love their work and kindness.read more

It was so nice to finally get to see this place. You grow up hearing and reading about Thoreau all…read morethrough grade school and high school and finally coming into contact with the pond and the woods is very surreal. The shack where he lived is, obviously, no longer standing. But a pile of rocks is there in its place? I didn't really get the rocks, but there's a plaque explaining it. Obviously didn't do too much for me. There's a replica of his shack up by the parking area which is cool to see. The pond is cute. The beach is adorable. I love beaches with trees on them to provide oh-so-wonderful natural shade. It was packed though. It being packed might also have had something to do with the stagnant and dirty water. I don't suggest swimming in the pond. Or at least doing so at your own risk... There's a trail that runs around the entire pond. This was so cool too. It was also a little packed with people, but that's to be expected. My favorite part is there are little detours off the path right down into the water. The water was clearer there and was a little nicer to play around in. Only complaint is the fence along parts of the trail was very utilitarian (put up to keep people on the path). They could have put a little more effort into a fence that would have fit more into the surroundings, if they had to have one. The gift shop was small and not too impressive. The lady working there was a little standoffish/rude. But whatevs. Oh, and parking was a breeze...and free. Always good. It was a pretty good experience. Very close to the city too. Very nice for a quick trip to relax.

Beautiful & serene wooded area, and on Walden pond, of course. Thoreau came here b/c they wouldn't…read morelet him on the pond near the de Cordova - funny, huh? ANYWAY, it's beautiful & very near Bedford Farms Ice Cream! They have a library full of Thoreau literature, and scholars on hand to discuss the finer points of his life and works.

Do you (or someone in your family) have to deal with breast cancer? Well, then you know that this…read morewicked disease has an impact on your whole family. The Ellie Fund is here to help you all, and they are terrific. The Ellie Fund provides women and families with many useful resources as moms of all ages, daughters and wives deal with their treatment. Child care, taxi vouchers, dog walking, house cleaning and grocery money can all be taken care of. Are you worried about getting to your treatment due to the cost? The Ellie Fund is there for you. Are you too tired to cook for your little kids on the days you have chemo? The Ellie Fund can help. The fund raisers that The Ellie Fund puts on all promote health, family, beauty and optimism for those of us who have been impacted by this disease. Their annual Oscar party is the hottest ticket in town and includes a plush red carpet, goody bags full of incredible loot, photographers, unique cocktails and food, and more Boston glamor than any other party I have ever attended. Their fashion show, Kelley for Ellie, hosted by Kelley Tuthill and Susan Wornick, has been a glorious celebration of fashion and good health for years. Lots of cocktails at this event make it even more exciting. If you or a family member have to deal with all of the complications and confusion surrounding a breast cancer diagnosis, reach out to The Ellie Fund. They are here for you.

The most beautiful grounds and very comfortable short-term living options. Apartments are…read morewell-priced for what is included -- It really is a quiet oasis in a gorgeous part of MA with the D line very close by and right on Rt. 9 so you can zip into the city for fun. Shopping and restaurants nearby and a even a Pete's coffee down the way! Wonderful staff, they provide entertainment and host lectures as well as community events for young people including cookouts and activities!

Make-A-Wish is a wonderful organization…read more I recently donated a car through their "Wheels for Wishes" program: http://massri.wheelsforwishes.org/ The car donation process was a breeze. I called Make-A-Wish on a Friday afternoon, and the car was picked up by a towing company by Wednesday. I'm guaranteed to get at least a $500 tax deduction for the car, and if the car is sold for over $500, I can claim the exact amount for which the vehicle is sold as a tax deduction. The towing company also left a form when they picked up the car stating that I've donated the car to Make-A-Wish, which I really appreciated, since no one was home when the car was picked up. (It's a little unnerving to just leave car keys and a title in a car on the day of pick up.) I'm very happy to support the great work of Make-A-Wish MA/RI. Their mission is to "grant wishes for children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength, and joy." I personally know a recipient of a trip from the Make-A-Wish MA/RI chapter. The 8 year old boy was overjoyed to get the chance to go to a Monster Truck rally & meet the Monster Truck drivers. His Mom & Dad got to join him on the trip, and it was an experience they will treasure. Read more about his wish at http://www.massri.wish.org/index.cfm?cdid=13085&pid=10328 Overall, Make-A-Wish fulfills an amazing mission, and is worthy of your donations - both in volunteer hours and/or a monetary donation.

My daughter has a chronic disease and has been violently ill for nearly three years now, spending…read morehalf of this time in the hospital and suffering through several failing surgeries and procedures. Doctors are still unable to get her issues under control, she's in so much pain she requires narcotics daily and missed an entire year of school. Her hospital case worker kept pushing the whole Make-A-Wish concept on my daughter even though she felt uncomfortable about it and was concerned about taking wishes from other patients. Every time it was brought up, we asked repeatedly if she would be eligible since she's chronically ill but not terminally ill. My daughter finally started thinking about it after some of the kids with a similar condition in her support group received wishes. She didn't want anything major - she actually wanted to use it to help other kids with her disease - so I put in for the request, I just received the rejection letter which incidentally provides no specific reason behind the rejection. Knowing that there are kids out there potentially dreaming about these wishes, I would have at least expected the courtesy of a phone call and a conversation.

We went for Dudley's birthday fundraiser/celebration and it was a blast. The animals are clearly…read morewell-loved and cared for and the volunteers were super nice and friendly.

Lovely place to volunteer. The animals are very well taken care of and happy. They have a nice…read morecalendar of events for the public to schedule a visit and staff are nice.

the people they have picking up donations for the needy are taking things for themselves and…read moreputting them separately into their vehicles. I have witnessed this firsthand as well as being told from other folks that deal with them. not cool man, not cool!

Helpful during these rough times. We are a family of four and when they give out fresh vegetables…read moreit's hard for a family of four to share two potatoes or two ears of corn. I understand but I'd rather get 4 potatoes and no other veg Great happy and helpful volunteers!!!!