By Raffaela Kenny-Cincotta, News Correspondent
Thanksgiving: the holiday that marks the peaceful, if historically inaccurate, breaking of bread between the Pilgrims and the Native Americans. It is a day devoted to gratitude, so this year, give thanks by giving your time to those less fortunate. There are several volunteer opportunities for students in Boston throughout the month of November. This Thanksgiving break, try and give back to Boston.
Boston Volvo Village 5K Road Race
Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 22
7:30 a.m. registration; 9 a.m. start.
Boston Volvo Village, 75 North Beacon St., Brighton.
$20 online registration before Nov. 16, or $25 on-site registration at the event.
Contact: Meg Alexander, event manager.
Main.nationalmssociety.org/volvo5k
Before you dig in to that huge Thanksgiving dinner, go run for a good cause. Not only will you feel less guilty about taking seconds, but your participation in the Boston Volvo Village 5K provides help to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Greater New England Chapter. There will be prizes for the top run finishers, and the first 750 runners to register will receive a free T shirt.
Sunday’s Bread
Nov. 25
12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Church of St. John the Evange- list, 35 Bowdoin St., Boston
Contact: Mark Metzger (781-648-2564), [email protected].
Sunday’s Bread is an entirely volunteer organization that serves free hot and nutritious meals to people in need in Boston every weekend. Over the course of its 28-plus years in operation, Sunday’s Bread has served more than 300,000 guests. So, instead of spending Sunday afternoon on the couch, help the underprivileged of Boston enjoy a good meal for the holidays. You won’t regret it.
Community Servings: Pie in the Sky
Monday, Nov. 19 – Wednesday, Nov. 21
Contact: Malissa Harmon, Volunteer Management Coordinator (617-522-7777, ext. 227), [email protected].
What is Thanksgiving without pie? Each November since 1993, Boston’s best restaurants, bakeries, caterers and hotels donate thousands of pies that more than 500 volunteers then sell to family, friends and colleagues. Each pie costs $25, and the money provides a week’s worth of home-delivered meals cooked by nonprofit Community Servings to individuals and families home-bound with illnesses such as HIV/AIDS, cancer and multiple sclerosis. The meals are made by nonprofits and community volunteers are needed to pick up and deliver pies to locations around Greater Boston. Need transportation? Zipcar is offering free reservations for members to help support Pie in the Sky.
Salvation Army Thanksgiving Basket Distribution
Saturday, Nov. 17
10 a.m.-1 p.m. or 12:30- 3:30 p.m.
Contact: Kimberly Santos at [email protected].
The Salvation Army needs assistance distributing turkeys and all the fixings to families in need of a good meal. Volunteers will prep bagged dinners, greet families being served and assist in the distribution of dinners. Distributions will take place in five different locations throughout Boston – some of which may be in your neighborhood.
