波士頓市長吳弭訂4/15為2026波士頓團結日 呼籲民眾做善事當志工

            （Boston Orange編譯）波士頓市長吳弭（Michelle Wu）和波士頓體育會（B.A.A.） 4 月 1 日聯袂發佈年度行動號召，呼籲呼籲企業、社區組織及居民，在 4 月 15 日（週三）的 2026 年「波士頓日（One Boston Day）」中，做善事，參加志願服務，攜手紀念2013 年馬拉松爆炸案的受害者、倖存者與救難英雄。

            波士頓市將於4 月 15 日的這星期，舉辦多項服務計畫。市長辦公室訂 4 月 18 日（週六）上午 9 點到富蘭克林公園（Franklin Park Playstead）辦理鄰里大掃除，現已開放民眾登記。

            穩健前行中心（Stepping Strong Center）將於 4 月 15 日舉辦兩場免費的線上「止血（Stop the Bleed）」培訓，指導民眾遇到致命性出血事故時，在救護人員抵達前應如何應變。

4 月 15 日上午，市府還將與波士頓體育會（B.A.A.）在後灣區（Back Bay）舉行獻花儀式。B.A.A.表示，由於第130 屆波士頓馬拉松賽即將於4月18日舉行，15日當天將引導已抵達波士頓的參賽運動員與志工一起參加紀念儀式，相關活動資訊已放在波士頓市政府官網（boston.gov/one-boston）。

MAYOR MICHELLE WU ANNOUNCES CITY OF BOSTON WILL MARK ONE BOSTON DAY WITH ACTS OF KINDNESS

City of Boston will lead service activities and calls on community-based organizations and residents to plan One Boston Day volunteer opportunities

BOSTON – Wednesday, April 1, 2026 – Mayor Michelle Wu and the City of Boston today released the annual call to action for community-based organizations, businesses, and city of Boston residents to come together for volunteer events and acts of kindness in recognition of our City’s spirit of care for one another in response to the tragic events of April 15, 2013. One Boston Day, observed on April 15, honors the victims, survivors, and first responders of the 2013 Boston Marathon. Mayor Wu is encouraging acts of kindness on Wednesday, April 15, and for people to take part in volunteer opportunities throughout the week.

 

“Thirteen years ago, when the horrific tragedy at the Boston Marathon shook our city to its core, we came together in love—mourning families, supporting survivors, and healing together,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “Each year on One Boston Day, we honor that spirit by coming together to perform acts of kindness for one another and make a difference in our neighborhoods. I hope everyone will join their neighbors today in honoring those we lost and celebrating the love that makes Boston a home for everyone.”

 

City of Boston departments and workers will again this year be hosting service projects for people to give back to their communities on April 15 and throughout the week leading up to Marathon Monday, April 20, 2026. The Mayor’s Office of Civic Organizing is facilitating a neighborhood cleanup for youth and families on Saturday, April 18, 2026, starting at 9:00 a.m. at Franklin Park Playstead. Interested volunteers are asked to register for the annual cleanup here. 

 

“As spring arrives in Boston each year, we are reminded of the hope and spirit of our city,” said Bill Richard, co-founder of the Martin Richard Foundation. “One Boston Day gives us a moment to reflect on our shared values most importantly to care for one another.”

 

“In Boston, resilience is not just remembered—it is lived. One Boston Day honors the enduring spirit of a city that rises together, supports one another, and transforms adversity into unity, compassion, and strength,” said Audrey Epstein Reny, founder of The Gillian Reny Stepping Strong Center at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. “That spirit, so evident in the aftermath of the 2013 Boston Marathon tragedy, continues to guide us as we come together in service of one another to meet today’s challenges.

 

In honor of One Boston Day, the Stepping Strong Center is offering a free, virtual Stop the Bleed training open to the public. Uncontrolled bleeding is the leading cause of preventable injury death and can be fatal in as little as five minutes, often before first responders arrive. However, there are simple techniques that bystanders can use to slow or stop bleeding and save a life. The rapid application of these techniques in the chaotic moments after the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing helped to save the life of Gillian Reny, for whom the center is named. On Wednesday, April 15, free Zoom sessions are available at 12:00 p.m. or 6:00 p.m. to learn how to recognize life-threatening bleeding and take immediate, effective action. Registration can be found here for the 12 p.m. session and here for the 6 p.m. session.

 

As the city marks 13 years since 2013, the City of Boston and the Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) will honor the day with a wreath laying in the Back Bay the morning of Wednesday, April 15. More details will become available in the coming weeks.

 

"One Boston Day is a time for all of us to remember, uplift, and extend ​gratitude to one another. As race day and the 130th Boston Marathon presented by Bank of America approaches, we encourage all athletes, volunteers, spectators and community members to unite and celebrate the spirit, resilience, and determination of our community on One Boston Day,” said Jack Fleming, President & CEO of the Boston Athletic Association. “This year’s One Boston Day will occur on ​Wednesday of Boston Marathon race week, a time when many athletes from around the world begin arriving to Boston. As stewards of the event, the Boston Athletic Association looks forward to welcoming the world to our home and showcasing what truly makes our community and sport special.”

 

More information about One Boston Day will be available here boston.gov/one-boston.

Senate Passes FARM Bill to Support the Farms That Feed Massachusetts

Senate Passes FARM Bill to Support the Farms That Feed Massachusetts 

Makes farm-to-table programs permanent, combats federal cuts and climate change threats 

 

(BOSTON—4/1/2026) Today, the Massachusetts Senate passed the FARM Bill, agricultural legislation aimed at supporting Massachusetts’ 7,000 farms, making it easier for families to buy fresh and nutritious food, and protecting the state’s food supply for the future. 

 

The legislation—formally known as S.3029, An Act fostering agricultural resilience in Massachusetts—is a major step forward in supporting Massachusetts farmers and growing the state’s agricultural economy. It builds on a recent special commission report focused on making Massachusetts agricultural operations sustainable for the 21st century. 

 

The FARM Bill helps owners of small farms to grow their businesses by removing hurdles and making agritourism ventures possible, such as corn mazes and ‘pick your own’ berry and fruit operations. The legislation also supports expanding farm operations with a local option property tax exemption for new agricultural buildings.  

 

“Massachusetts relies on the farms and fisheries that put fresh, local food on our tables, and it’s on us to make sure they can keep going and thrive,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “This bill does exactly that. It helps farms stay open, makes it easier for families to buy fresh, local food, and strengthens our food system for the long run. When we support our farmers, we’re supporting everyone in Massachusetts. I’m grateful to Chairs Rodrigues and Fernandes for their leadership, and to Senator Comerford for her steadfast advocacy on behalf of farmers across the Commonwealth.” 

 

“Today, the Senate took decisive action to bolster the Commonwealth’s agricultural industry and also address persistent food insecurity in the Commonwealth,” said Senator Michael J. Rodrigues (D-Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “Farmland is one of the most tangible assets we have in the state, and this bill protects and ensures the future of farms for generations to come. By codifying essential food nutrition programs, we strengthen our food assistance safety net that is threatened by both the uncertainty at the federal level and the continuing effects of the pandemic. I’m especially proud that we also strengthen our vital cranberry industry, Massachusetts’ most valuable agricultural product. I would like to thank Senate President Spilka for her leadership, and also Vice Chair Comerford and Senator Fernandes for their work and leadership on this bill and their steadfast support of the agricultural community.” 

 

The bill makes it easier for residents to access healthy food, making permanent the Healthy Incentives Program (HIP) to help families afford fresh produce and the Farm to School program to bring local ingredients into schools. By codifying these programs, the Senate is continuing its response to federal actions that threaten food access as a part of the Senate’s Response 2025 initiative. A further Response 2025 priority requires that state emergency planning efforts prioritize the security of the local food supply chain given federal cuts to emergency planning. 

 

The FARM Bill additionally requires regular reporting on the distribution of local produce through food banks, universal school meals, Meals on Wheels, the Massachusetts Emergency Food Assistance Program (MEFAP), and other food assistance programs. This data will help assesses the damage from detrimental federal actions such as the elimination of the USDA Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program, which purchased food from historically underserved Massachusetts farmers and provided it to underserved communities. 

 

“As Chair of the Joint Committee on Agriculture and Fisheries, I'm proud to support the Senate's effort to build a more resilient and sustainable food system in the Commonwealth,” said Senator Dylan A. Fernandes (D-Falmouth), Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Agriculture and Fisheries. “The FARM Bill will expand access to fresh, locally grown food while putting more money into the hands of our farmers and fishermen. By reducing costs, strengthening supply chains, and expanding reliable markets, this legislation makes strategic investments into an industry that is essential for our economy, environment, and the health of our communities. I’m deeply grateful to Senator Comerford for championing this bill and to the work of the Senate President and Ways and Means Chair for bringing it to the floor.” 

 

“Today, the Senate advanced urgently-needed legislation to support the farms, producers, and fisheries that are the foundation of our local and regional food systems,” said Senator Jo Comerford (D-Northampton), co-Chair of the Special Commission on Agriculture in the 21st Century and Senate Vice Chair of the Joint Committee on Agriculture and Fisheries. “In western and north central Massachusetts, where agriculture is core to our economy and identity, we know that when we lose farmland, we lose far more than fields—we lose livelihoods, food security, and community. This legislation reflects the recommendations of the Special Commission on Agriculture in the 21st Century—a body that I was proud to co-chair. I’m grateful to Senate President Karen Spilka and Ways and Means Chair Mike Rodrigues for their steadfast leadership. With the FARM Bill, Massachusetts is stepping up—investing in the next generation of farms and fisheries while ensuring more local, nutritious food reaches Massachusetts families.” 

 

Supporting Farmers and Growing the Agricultural Economy 

  

The legislation includes key provisions to help farmers remain viable and expand their operations. New farm buildings and structures would receive a five-year property tax exemption under a local option program added to the bill today. Senators voted 38-0 to adopt the property tax exemption (Amendment 5). 

 

The bill also expands opportunities for farmers to participate in agritourism, makes the Food Security Infrastructure Grant (FSIG) Program permanent, and eases the water permitting process for cranberry growers. 

  

Planning for the Future of Agriculture and Climate Change 

  

The FARM Bill includes forward-looking initiatives to protect farmland and improve long-term planning by creating a statewide agricultural land database and improving the evaluation of the Agricultural Preservation Restriction (APR) program to ensure long-term sustainability. 

 

It directs emergency planning efforts to prioritize local food production and avoid supply chain disruptions, and explores renewable energy opportunities on farmland, balancing clean energy goals with agricultural land preservation. 

 

The Senate Committee on Ways and Means advanced the legislation to the full Senate with a 16-0 vote on March 23, 2026. All committee votes are posted on the Legislature’s website and full details of the legislation are available in a fact sheet in the Senate Press Room. 

 

The Senate passed the bill on a 39-0 roll call vote and sent it to the House of Representatives for further review. 

Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards More Than $4 Million in PRISM III Literacy Grants

 Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards More Than $4 Million in PRISM III Literacy Grants 

Funding supports the adoption of high-quality instructional materials for grades 4-12 

 
EVERETT – The Healey-Driscoll Administration today announced that it has awarded more than $4.3 million in Partnership for Reading Success – Massachusetts (PRISM) III Continuation grants to 16 school districts and educational collaboratives to strengthen literacy instruction for students in grades 4-12.  

  

PRISM III grants focus on the evaluation, selection, purchase and implementation of high-quality instructional materials. Grant recipients engage in one of three tracks: preparing to adopt high-quality instructional materials, launching the implementation of selected materials or deepen implementation of materials already in use. All grantees receive leadership coaching from a DESE-approved PRISM curriculum and instruction coach to support effective implementation. In addition, recipients can use grant funds for professional learning, stipends or substitute coverage while educators are participating in grant activities. 

 

These grants are a continuation of initial awards made in summer 2025 to help schools improve English language arts and literacy instruction for grades 4–12. A portion of these grants were state-funded and distributed between September and January, and additional funding came from a federal Comprehensive Literacy State Development grant in February. 

 

“We are making major investments to strengthen literacy and ensure every student in Massachusetts has access to high-quality instructional materials,” said Governor Maura Healey. “These grants will help schools implement proven materials, support educators in the classroom, and give students the skills they need to succeed in school and beyond.”  

 

“High quality instructional materials and strong teaching go hand in hand,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “These grants will help districts put the right tools in place so more students can build strong reading skills and succeed.”  

 

“High-quality instructional materials and support for implementation are fundamental to achieving excellence and equity in education,” said Secretary of Education Stephen Zrike. “These PRISM III grants help districts improve literacy programming and give students the literacy foundation they need for success beyond graduation.”  

 

“This continuation funding is designed to help organizations that have already received PRISM funding make long-term progress,” said Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Pedro Martinez. “With this help, districts and collaboratives can make lasting improvements in secondary students’ literacy success.”  

 

The PRISM III Continuation Grant Recipients are: 

 

·          ACCEPT Educational Collaborative (in Natick): $194,000 

·          Attleboro Public School District: $232,000 

·          Barnstable Public School District: $493,000 

·          Bi-County Collaborative (BICO) (in Walpole): $455,000 

·          Easthampton Public School District: $194,000 

·          Everett Public School District: $329,000 

·          Greater Lawrence Regional Vocational Technical School District: $194,000 

·          Haverhill Public School District: $213,000 

·          Hudson Public School District: $296,000 

·          Lowell Public School District: $474,000 

·          Milford Public School District: $194,000 

·          Northampton Public School District: $252,000 

·          Somerville Public School District: $353,000 

·          Spencer - East Brookfield School District: $194,000 

·          Ware Public School District: $252,000 

紐英崙溯源公所慶馬年新春 鄺元傑、雷展灝獲頒總堂顧問徽章

溯源公所全美總堂主席方國宗（右起），資深顧問雷國輝，新晉顧問雷展灝，
紐英崙溯源公所新屆主席雷昌凡，雷洪任，鄺滿雄，全美顧問鄺元傑，全美總堂
副主席雷奇凡，紐英崙顧問鄺國添等人向宗親拜年。（周菊子攝）

             （Boston Orange周菊子波士頓報導）紐英崙溯源公所雷方鄺三姓宗親，3月30日在“帝苑”慶祝馬年新春。2名大埠宗長為新總堂顧問鄺元傑和雷展灝別上徽章，盛讚創辦人雷國輝領導有方，3名新主席雷洪任，雷昌凡，鄺滿雄出馬，氣象全新。

紐英崙溯源公所主席鄺滿雄（左起），雷洪任，雷昌凡歡迎
總堂主席方國宗翰副主席雷奇凡蒞臨會址祭祖。（周菊子攝）

            遠從舊金山來的大埠遡源總堂主席方國宗，副主席雷奇安，30日中午先到哈佛街上紐英崙溯源公所會址，和顧問鄺國添，鄺炎彬等宗親們一起上香，敬酒，切金豬的祭祖後，晚上再到帝苑大酒樓和宗親及僑界歡聚。

            新任總堂顧問的鄺元傑透露，往年總堂及各地溯源宗親組團來拜年的陣仗頗大，今年估計是受大環境動盪影響，只有2名大埠宗長到訪。

左起，雷國輝，鄺滿雄，雷洪任，雷昌凡，方國宗，雷奇凡，
鄺元傑，鄺國添，鄺炎彬等人在哈佛街會址祭祖。（周菊子攝）

            這場溯源公所春宴，由宗親方柳君擔任司儀，在新任主席雷洪任邀2名副主席鄺滿雄，雷昌凡一字排開的站在宗親面前拜年致詞後，溯源總堂永遠顧問雷國輝表示他以紐英崙中華公所身份致詞，指出該公所從1984年復會迄今，已走過40個年頭，全靠宗親耕耘，支持，才能傳承至今。

胡清白鶴派在舞獅採青獻桔時，還表演兩獅親吻，盡顯溫馨。

            第一次來參加紐英崙溯源公所春宴的方國宗坦言自己很興奮，代表總堂來拜年，祝福眾人馬年行好運，繼而稱許紐英崙溯源公所成立時間雖然不長，但一直以來人才濟濟，團結一致，齊心協力的為宗親謀福利，為僑社發展及華人利益作出巨大貢獻。他要代表總堂祝賀，給紐英崙溯源公所最大的肯定，最高的讚譽。

            方國宗還用英文說了一遍他的致詞內容，並特別感謝紐英崙溯源公所創會人之一的雷國輝，親自導覽，帶他和雷奇安2對夫婦參觀中華公所，聆聽本地華人歷史故事。

紐英崙溯源公所宗親和嘉賓合影。（周菊子攝）

          方國宗同時代表總堂，祝賀紐英崙溯源公所前任主席雷展灝，和已高齡近90的鄺元傑當選為全美溯源總堂新任顧問。他笑說年輕有為的雷展灝，不但是雷國輝之子，更是全美溯源公所最年輕的顧問。鄺元傑則是剛好相反，已高齡近90，但是健壯如牛，走路有風，還凡事親力親為，令人敬佩。

方國宗和雷奇凡接著親自為雷展灝和鄺元傑別上總堂顧問胸章。

大埠溯源總堂副主席雷奇凡注視雷昌凡，雷洪任，鄺滿雄等3位主席切金豬。

             紐英崙溯源公所今年的這場春宴，似乎流行點名。在方國宗點名讚許宗親之後，波士頓市議員愛德華費連（Ed Flynn）居然也在致詞時，點名指出座中的波士頓警察局社區參與總監陳孔恩和波士頓公共衛生局公安主任鄺劍鋒，中華耆英會創辦人梅伍銀寬，紐英崙中華總會會長余麗媖等人都是他的好朋友。

鄺元傑（左起）主禮，鄺炎彬，雷國輝、鄺滿雄、雷奇凡，
雷洪任，方國強，雷昌凡，鄺國添等人上香祭祖。（周菊子攝）

這晚應邀出席的政要嘉賓，還有麻州參議員Nick Collins，麻州眾議員黃子安（Donald Wong）。代表波士頓市長的華埠聯絡員林天琪，波士頓僑教中心主任高家富。

在頒發獎學金，宣佈敬老金已於當日中午祭祖時發放之後，紐英崙溯源公所安排了吳皓、譚達兒，方柳君等人獻唱，小朋友，世界旗袍會波士頓分會的舞蹈表演等餘興節目。（訂正錯字版）

雷國輝在鄺元傑力催中，出面發言。

紐英崙溯源公所主席雷洪任（右二），和雷昌凡（右一），
鄺滿雄（左二）在方柳君主禮中致詞，（周菊子攝）

大埠溯源主席方國宗致詞。（周菊子攝）

麻州眾議員黃子安（右二）頒發表揚狀。（周菊子攝）

麻州參議員Nick collins（右）頒發表揚狀。（周菊子攝）

麻州參議員Nick Collins和麻州眾議員黃子安。（周菊子攝）

波士頓市議員Ed Flynn頒發表揚狀。（周菊子攝）

波士頓市議員Ed Flynn點名鄺劍鋒（右起）和陳孔恩是他的好朋友。（周菊子攝）

華埠聯絡員林天琪（右二）代表波士頓市長吳弭頒發表揚狀。（周菊子攝）

方國宗（右）為鄺元傑別上總堂顧問胸章。（周菊子攝）

雷奇凡為雷展灝別上總堂顧問胸章。（周菊子攝）

鄺國添（左一）和右起，鄺元傑，鄺炎彬，鄺滿雄夫婦，鄺國彬等溯源宗親，歡迎
麻州眾議員黃子安，麻州參議員Nick Collins出席。（周菊子攝）

溯源宗親及省市政要敬酒。（周菊子攝）

頒發獎學金。（周菊子攝）

紐英崙溯源公所頒發獎學金。（周菊子攝）

吳皓、方柳君夫婦在春宴中分別獻唱。（周菊子攝）

馮愛卿（前）率世界旗袍會波士頓分會表演。（周菊子攝）

馮愛卿（右二）率世界旗袍會波士頓分會表演。（周菊子攝）

宗親小朋友表演舞蹈。（周菊子攝）

馮愛卿（左）和方柳君（右）。（周菊子攝）

紐英崙溯源公所內張貼不少對聯。（周菊子攝）