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星期二, 11月 29, 2022

AG’S OFFICE OFFERS GUIDANCE ON DONATING TO CHARITIES AHEAD OF GIVING TUESDAY AND HOLIDAY SEASON

 AG’S OFFICE OFFERS GUIDANCE ON DONATING TO CHARITIES AHEAD OF GIVING TUESDAY AND HOLIDAY SEASON 

Also Reminds Charities of New Online Portal System Designed to Make Meeting Annual Filing and Disclosure Requirements Easier  


BOSTON— In anticipation of “Giving Tuesday” and the upcoming holiday season, Attorney General Maura Healey is providing guidance and advising residents to make well-researched and informed decisions when donating to charities.  

“In Massachusetts, we are fortunate to have many reputable and worthy charities to support this holiday season,” said AG Healey. “Our office encourages anyone in a position to give to do their research and make sure they are making informed decisions in order to maximize the impact of their donation.”  

While some charities raise funds on their own, others pay professional solicitors to seek donations from the public and are required by statute to register with the AG’s Office. The AG’s Office encourages consumers who are solicited for donations to ask questions so they can understand who is contacting them and where their money would go. Specifically, consumers should find out how much of every dollar they donate will go to charity as opposed to being retained by the professional fundraiser.   

Consumers are encouraged to review the AG’s Giving Wisely Advisory along with the AG’s  Donating Dos and Don’ts: A Guide to Charitable Giving for information including tips on what to consider before donating to a charity: 

  • Know your charity: Before you donate, verify the charity’s name, address, number, email address, and website, if available. 
  • Find out where your money will go: Ask how much of the money goes to charity and beware of statements such as “all proceeds go to charity” because terms like “proceeds” are not well-defined and could refer to net amounts after the fundraiser’s fee is deducted. 
  • Keep records: Keep any and all receipts and canceled checks, along with emails and texts, in case you have a complaint later – they also come in handy when filing your annual income tax returns, if you are eligible to deduct charitable contributions from your gross income.  
  • Don’t feel pressured: Take time to decide if you want to donate, a legitimate charity will tell you how it’s using your money to make a difference.  
  • Don’t pay by cash or debit card: Pay by check or a credit card, especially if donating online. A record of the transaction will be created if you pay by credit card, and you may be able to stop payment if you later change your mind. Credit cards also provide more security for your donation rather than a debit card.                                                                                Last month, the AG’s Office announced a new online portal for the more than 25,000 charities and nonprofit organizations in Massachusetts to make it easier and more efficient to submit annual regulatory filings. Under Massachusetts law, public charities operating within the state must register and file annual reports with the AG’s Non-Profit Organizations/Public Charities Division. These filings are available to the public online and provide valuable information about a charitable organization’s programs, activities, and finances.

  Earlier this year, the AG’s Office also provided guidance for consumers on how to avoid fraud when donating to charities that support people affected by the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the ensuing humanitarian crisis. 

Individuals with inquiries or complaints about charitable solicitations should call the Attorney General’s Non-Profit Organizations/Public Charities Division at 617-963-2101 or access the complaint form online. 

星期日, 11月 27, 2022

面對青少年槍枝暴力案陡增現實 波士頓市設青少年安全工作小組

          (Boston Orange 編譯) 波士頓青少年攜槍被捕案件從2019年的36宗暴增至202210月就已有102宗,情況令人憂慮。波士頓市長吳弭 (Michelle Wu) 最近和波士頓警察局及波士頓公校合作,推出「青少年安全工作小組」,為瀕危兒童及青少年服務。

根據波士頓警察局資料,2020年時,青少年攜槍被捕這類案件,僅48宗,2021年增至67宗,2022年卻僅截至10月份就已發生102宗。

吳弭市長表示,人們看到青少年涉及各類公安事故的數量,有增加趨勢,她和不同學校的學生談過,得知原因之一是因為在新冠病毒疫情期間,許多的活動及扶持項目都停辦了。

波士頓警察局局長Michael Cox也憂慮兒童及青少年涉槍事件增加,認為只有和學校、家庭,以及社區成員合作,才能減少青少年槍枝暴力。他說,特別是談到新冠病毒疫情的影響時,在青少年處於情緒最激動年齡期間,那些能夠給他們方向,幫助他們遠離是非的架構,卻都變得稀缺了。這是很複雜的問題,不是警察能夠獨力解決的。

十月中推出的這「青少年安全工作小組」,結合了30個市府部門及機構,每週和公校討論接觸瀕危學生及其家庭的特定外展策略。

上個月,一名17歲青年在多徹斯特的Jeremiah E. Burke高中外開槍,射傷一名18歲青年。

也是上個月,一名19歲的坎頓 (Canton)居民因為15歲的Curtis Ashford Jr.727日在多徹斯特被射殺身亡而被捕。

又是上個月,在洛士百利的華盛頓街上,一名14歲少年遭遇致命一擊。在那次槍擊事件中,還有另一名青少年受傷了。10月底時,多徹斯特UP Academy Holland小學的學生們通知老師,一名7歲同學帶了一把裝有子彈的槍到學校。

青年連結 (YouthConnect)行政主任Kevan Barton,青年外展工作者Emmett Folgert,麻州防止槍枝暴力聯盟 (Massachusetts Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence)主任Ruth Zakarin都說,許多青少年已如驚弓之鳥,一點風吹草動,立刻緊張十分,一幅隨時準備要躲避槍彈的樣子。他們認為,從青少年手中拿走槍枝,問題不會就此解決,一切還得從造成情況的根源做起。

星期五, 11月 25, 2022

英雄名聲得平反 李台憶述少將父親李學正入祀忠烈祠始末

李學正少將。 (李台提供)
               (Boston Orange)牙醫師李台早前應大波士頓中華文化協會雲鶴社之邀,憶述其父李學正少將殉國72年後,今年3月終入忠烈祠故事,既令人為他父親名聲得直高興,也讓人們意外發現大波士頓真臥虎藏龍,竟有那麼多抗日英雄與黨國元老之後。

                               李台哥哥小時候和朋友出門玩耍,前有副官,後有褓姆的陣仗十足,一朝父親失聯,頓時嚐盡世態炎涼滋味一般,許多出席講座的這些達官貴冑之後,也有著「昔日王謝堂前燕,飛入尋常百姓家」的感嘆,如今都強調著平安,健康才是福。

                              李台父親李學正是河南省靈寶縣人,高中畢業時就當過小學老師,因時局不靖,盜匪猖獗,他投筆從戎,從率領人民自衛團剿匪有功,到被國民革命軍20軍總指揮張鈁收編為第454獨立團,擔任團長,期間從中央軍校高教班第五期畢業,之後歷任旅長、師長,剿匪抗日,參與過台兒莊大捷,桂柳會戰,遼瀋、平津等許多戰役,並於19483月當選為第一屆國民大會代表。

李台、陳翠伶夫婦。(攝自Zomm講座)
 1949年時,李學正在平津戰役中與共軍苦戰77夜,因彈盡援絕被俘,後由已投共的總司令傅作義做保釋出,藉由解甲歸田之名,輾轉回到湖南,再於19497月攜眷隨政府撤退到台灣。但他抵台僅一個月,就奉蔣中正與時任總統的李宗仁之令,重回大陸進敵後工作,謀復興大業。1949821日,他隨胡宗南主任搭飛機由重慶去陝西漢中,11月再奉胡宗南之令成立四個軍,進入大巴山區設反攻基地,1950110日,時任副總指揮兼新四軍軍長的李學正孤軍無援失敗被俘,組織越獄,改名李正堂,進檬垻景美德家,在當地教書,伺機東山再起。不幸1951330日又被俘遇害。1953628日有李家親人在河南靈寶西城見到去四川達縣收屍通告,但當時環境惡劣,沒人敢去,於是李學正魂歸何處迄今無人得知。

              

李台和李智(右下)兩兄弟為了父親的名聲,奔走多年。
李台坦言,當年他父親回大陸做敵後工作被俘後,就失去音訊,國民政府只通知他們家人”失聯”,而且因為是失聯,不知道是作戰陣亡,還是投共,在當年的白色恐怖氛圍下,不但他父親的軍俸、補給與國大代表薪資都被扣住,他們家還變成了監控對象,三更半夜的常有人來查戶口,住家竹籬笆外,也常有警察趴在那兒查看他們家動靜。原本是富家千金,家族所經營錢莊發行的銀票,甚至在海外其他國家都通行的他母親,只得進台中酒廠工作,扶養他們一家四個小孩,並一直做到退休。

              

李台自己到馬祖服兵役時,也有輔導長特別約見,讓他發現其他當兵人的資料都只有一、二頁,關於他的資料卻有厚厚一大疊。他偷偷翻來看,這才知道了很多關於他父親的事,之後再有長官找他談話,他也就知道了怎麼講,反倒得到諒解,照顧。

               李台的哥哥李智,也受父親失聯影響。當年出國留學考試通過了,有關單位卻壓下出境證不發。好在當時一名在警備總部工作的人曾是李學正的部下,看到是李學正兒子的出境證被扣押,就去找當時的國防部長,結果就馬上批准了。只是出境證雖然拿到了,時間已經耽誤,原本有人送給李台母親的一張船票,只得放棄,另外找人借500塊美金,買機票讓李智趕到德州大學去上課。

               曾經有一個很會畫畫的軍官,把一幅自己得意畫作送給李學正,得知李學正失聯後,有一天突然跑到他們家,對李台母親說,自己那幅畫畫得不好,先拿回去,改天再畫一幅送來,然後就一去不回頭了。

               當年李台家人雖然想知道父親下落,但基本上相信國民政府給他們的說法,認為自己的父親被派到敵後作戰後就失聯了。他們真正開始積極尋找父親下落,是1968年,哥哥李智為幫母親分攤家計,自我犧牲沒有繼續唸博士。奧斯丁大學電機碩士一畢業就進迪吉多電腦公司工作。那時中國大陸經德國向美國買電腦,然後派中科院的人到美國接受操作訓練。他們在廠裡碰到李智,而李智很照顧他們,有時還請他們吃飯,彼此關係不錯,於是李智就請這些人幫忙查找李學正的下落。沒想到他們找到了李學正在河南還另外有個兒子,以及一些他們母親在湖南家人的消息,但是就沒找到李學正最後的下落。

               李台自己1991曾經隨教會到海外當義工,做醫療短宣,進入過泰北、緬甸,還幫佤邦最高領導人拔牙補牙。但是也都沒問到什麼消息。他在台灣的二哥李勇,後來也積極找人追查父親下落。他們一些在台灣的親友,還推動了台灣政府當局終於認同李學正是派赴敵後工作,視同作戰死亡。只是他父親的具體下落,迄今依然不得而知。

               李台母親在1998年,81歲過世時,都還抱著李學正可能仍在人間的一線希望。

               李台是基督徒。他感覺就像聖經上說的,人的盡頭就是神的起頭,2003年的時候,他參加勒星頓 (Lexington) 華人協會的籌款晚會活動,身邊坐著一個來自中國大陸工程師,侃侃而談中國近代史人物,說得如數家珍,瞭如指掌。李台就順手拿張紙,把他所知道有關父親資料,概略寫了一下,交給這位新朋友。沒想到3個月後,李台接到電話,真找到資料了。這人後來還從中共19軍團內部紀錄,幫李台找到更具體資料,以及國共最後一戰情況,這才讓李台決定把他父親的事蹟整理出來,為歷史補白。

               李台從那些資料裏看到,他父親李學正在敵後從事的清鄉剿共行動,成為中華人民共和國成立之後的最大威脅,毛澤東非常生氣,特地在川陝邊界成立了19軍團加上所有陝南部隊,要消滅新四軍等李學正組織的軍團,激戰23天後,在19501月,總指揮王凌雲被俘。五天後副總指揮李學正被俘,脫逃潛伏一年,後再被俘遇害。雖然當年中共宣傳不殺戰俘,但中共的資料寫著李學正組織逃亡,依法槍決。

 2016年時,受到胡宗南之子,曾任國安會秘書長的胡為真大使鼓勵,李台著手整理資料,申請送李學正進入忠烈祠,歷經延宕多年的繁複審核,今年3月才終於批准,並隆重地舉行了入祀大典。

波士頓象棋會訂11月27日舉辦感恩節大賽

              (Boston Orange) 波士頓象棋會將於1127日在紐英崙中華公所舉辦感恩節象棋大賽,歡迎各界愛好象棋者免費報名參加。

               波士頓象棋會今年這場感恩節大賽由熱心棋友贊助,將以積分編排賽制,勝記2分,和1分,負0分,積分編排7輪。比賽規則採用國規。途中遇有爭議,必須服從裁判判決。預定每局25分鐘。

               比賽將由陳景賢、梁家睿做電腦編排,由吳森、雷軍擔任裁判。優勝者獎勵金額為,冠軍:200美元,亞軍:130美元,季軍:80美元,第四名:50美元,第五名:50美元。

               比賽結束後,波士頓象棋會將於當天下午6點,假波士頓華埠嘉嘉酒樓聚餐,聯誼。

               查詢詳情可洽梁家睿,617-510-5942

慶祝感恩節 波士頓市長吳弭等政要位遊民切火雞

波士頓市長吳弭 (Michelle Wu,中))、麻州眾議員麥家威 (Aaron Michlewitz, 右2)和麻州
聯邦參議員
Ed Markey (左1)再度合體,到松街客棧 (Pine Street Inn)為遊民切火雞,
右一為波士頓棕熊隊球員
Charlie MacAvoy, 左二為松街客棧董事長Lyndia Downie。

           (Boston Orange 綜合報導) 一年一度的感恩節,波士頓市長吳弭 (Michelle Wu)、麻州眾議員麥家威 (Aaron Michlewitz)和麻州聯邦參議員Ed Markey再度合體,到松街客棧 (Pine Street Inn)為遊民切火雞,祝賀感恩節。今年還有2位嘉賓,分別是波士頓棕熊隊 (Bruins)球員Charlie MacAvoy和新任波士頓警察局局長Michael Cox

              松街客棧董事長Lyndia Downie,今年是自從新冠病毒疫情爆發以來,第一次在室內舉行年度切火雞活動。無論是在室內或室外,這一年度活動從萬寧路 (Thomas Menino) 市長舉行以來,已成年度傳統,從未間斷過。

                    今年松街客棧的5個庇護所,共為遊民準備了2000份感恩節大餐,其中有300400份在波士頓南端夏利臣街的據點,供遊民享用。

                  松街客棧共準備了每隻約1520磅的火雞120隻,另有750磅的洋芋泥,250磅的蔓越橘醬汁,50加侖的肉汁,以及波士頓棕熊隊送來的200個派,許多雙襪子。




星期三, 11月 23, 2022

林穎聰在中華專協講座分享踏上海底最深處經驗 慨言團隊力量大

紐英崙中華專業人員協會董事長周萬欽 (右二),會長林致中 (左一)和新英格蘭成大校友會
前會長陳婉如(右一)送感謝狀給林穎聰(左二)。 (中華專協提供)
               (Boston Orange 周菊子綜合報導) 潛入地球最深處之後,林穎聰深切感受到團隊合作的重要。1120日他應紐英崙中華專業人員協會之邀,分享他那全世界第12人的經驗與感受。

                           太平洋馬里亞納海溝最深處的「挑戰者深淵 (Challenger Deep) 」,深度達11千公尺,水壓高達海平面的1100倍,1960年時才有人首次潛向該處,逗留了約20分鐘。其後直到2012年才第2次有人駕潛艇前往,降落在深淵海床。礙於技術挑戰,過去這60多年來,只有5次有載人潛艇前往,總共只有12人曾親眼見過這海深不知處的地方。

 

Victor Vescovo (右)在深海和林穎聰擊掌,祝賀潛海成功。 
                     林穎聰坦言,他曾經問過自己很多次,何德何能得到了這個所有研究海洋者都夢寐以求的機會,他甚至也問過給他這機會,發邀請給他的Caladan Oceanic私人海洋研究公司老闆,也是美國深海探險家暨億萬富翁的Victor Vescovo。他覺得自己無比的幸運,從深海地底回來後,他覺得自己有如一個全新的人。

蕭蕙菁 (左)和兒子一起示範製作蔬食珍珠丸子。 (中華專協提供)
                   林穎聰畢業於成功大學水利及海洋工程學系,獲有臺灣大學工程科學及海洋工程學系碩士及博士,目前美國麻州伍茲霍爾 (Woods Hole) 海洋研究院擔任海洋聲學與信號實驗室副研究員,也是羅德島大學的講座教授。

                  在收到Victor Vescovo的邀請時,林穎聰正為自己在做的研究受新冠病毒疫情影響,遭遇許多困難而煩惱,看到電郵,還以為是詐騙,沒去理會。3天後,他動了好奇心,於是回覆了電郵,沒想到10分鐘後,Victor Vescovo就打來電話,由於他正忙著教課,要和學生討論,還請Victor Vescovo2天早上再打給他。那時候他完全不敢相信,覺得好像中樂透,放下電話後還去查證,結果是真的。接著很快的,他們529日通電話,612日他就飛到關島去參加這第5次真人下海到「挑戰者深淵」的探險行程,一舉成為全世界第12個,也是亞洲第1個踏上「挑戰者深淵」的人,而且他還很幸運地和美國第1個上太空漫步的女太空人蘇麗文 (Kathy Sullivan)一起。

成大校友會前會長陳婉如主持。(中華專協提供)
                林穎聰的這次深海航程,總共只有10小時,從海面潛至目標地,來回各4小時,真正的觀測時間只有2小時。他在壓力艙載具內不斷地問這是,那是甚麼儀器,其中最重要的兩個儀器是氧氣和二氧化碳儀表。他還盡量貼近壓力艙的玻璃向外看,試圖從那粗看十分乏味,卻極具歷史意義的海底沙堆看出端倪,用美國國家海洋暨大氣總署 (NOAA)提供的水下錄音器材,錄製「挑戰者深淵」裏的各種聲波,要看出那幾千幾百萬年的時空環境演變。

             幸運的是,由於Victor Vescovo那天要趕著出席一個會議,所以他們下海和回航的時間和以前幾次的航行不同,竟讓他在潛下前看日蝕火輪 (Ring of Fire)”,回程浮出時看到了海下日出景觀。在海底,Victor Vescovo還頒給他一個下海10公里勳章。

會場。 (中華專協提供)
              由於林穎聰是成功大學校友,紐英崙中華專業人員協會董事長周萬欽,會長林致中特地邀請成大校友會合辦這一講座,並請該會前會長陳婉如主持。

              當天這活動的另一亮點是蕭蕙菁和「素食主義者 (TheVeggieFactor)」置辦了一場「新食代」蔬食大餐,蕭蕙菁還在兒子協助下,示範了灰姑娘南瓜盅和#蔬食珍珠丸子的做法,讓當天出席活動的人在聽得過癮之餘還大飽口福。 (更新版)

吳弭市長推出"來市見我"計畫 鼓勵在地購物

MAYOR WU ANNOUNCES “MEET ME IN THE CITY,” NEW HOLIDAY INITIATIVE TO ENCOURAGE LOCAL SHOPPING IN DOWNTOWN AND ACROSS BOSTON NEIGHBORHOODS


The initiative encourages residents and visitors to support local businesses across all of Boston’s neighborhoods.

BOSTON —  Wednesday, November 23, 2022 — Mayor Michelle Wu this month announced the launch of “Meet Me in the City,” a new initiative designed to encourage local tourism through special events, performances, and holiday shopping in Boston’s Downtown and neighborhoods. “Meet Me in the City” encourages residents and visitors to come into the city and support local businesses in Downtown and across every neighborhood.

 

"Our small businesses and cultural institutions are the foundation of our communities and drive our local economy," said Mayor Michelle Wu. "We all benefit from more tourism coming to Boston. As we enter this holiday weekend and approach the new year, I encourage everyone to come experience the vibrancy of our neighborhoods and shop locally here in Boston."

 

Boston’s dynamic small businesses and arts and cultural institutions are critical to the local economy, especially during this year’s holiday shopping and entertainment season. With holiday spending forecasted by the Massachusetts Retailers Association to increase 10 percent statewide compared to 2021 and an 8 percent inflation rate, the “Meet Me in the City'' initiative encourages residents and visitors in the greater Boston area to experience the city and invest in our communities. 

 

Following a recent report by the City and Boston Consulting Group detailing some of the challenges facing Downtown Boston, Mayor Wu along with key City and business leaders have re-launched PLAN: Downtown. The plan, in conjunction with the Downtown Revitalization report, sets a roadmap for the City to reimagine Downtown Boston as a truly inclusive neighborhood filled with new homes, diverse businesses, world-class public spaces, vibrant nightlife, and a thriving arts and culture scene. 


“This initiative is an important step to encourage residents and visitors alike to shop local and increase consumer spending during the holiday season,” said Segun Idowu, Chief of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion. “More than 50 percent of Americans shop small on Small Business Saturday, and this campaign will help drive activity to Boston’s Downtown and neighborhood districts this weekend and into the new year to showcase thriving, vibrant, and inclusive spaces for all of our residents and visitors to spend the holidays once again, while supporting our local economy.” 

 

“Meet Me In the City” leverages the City’s award winning All Inclusive Boston campaign to focus on raising awareness and elevate the visibility of the Mayor’s call to shop local this holiday season through a significant commitment to advertising with neighborhood newspapers and sites, along with local television partnerships and collaborative activations. Encouraging patrons, visitors and residents to use ‘the power of the purse with passion and purpose’, the initiative also aims to address the shift to remote work, which has significantly reshaped the central business core. For years, Downtown Boston was one of the busiest neighborhoods in the city, with heavy, daily foot traffic driven by thousands of office workers. However, foot traffic numbers have remained down by 40 percent since the pandemic. The “Meet Me in the City” initiative is aligned with the Mayor’s vision to address this shift and ensure that Downtown is a vibrant neighborhood where people from all backgrounds come together. 

 

Beginning this month, holiday tree lightings kick off the season before and after Thanksgiving, along with beloved new and familiar holiday traditions like Boston Ballet’s Nutcracker, Boston Pops, Urban Nutcracker, ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas, Black Nativity, ice skating on the Frog Pond and the annual New Year’s Eve celebration, First Night. The City of Boston’s holiday tree lighting in Boston Common takes place December 1, followed by local neighborhood tree lightings throughout the city.

 

Visit All Inclusive Boston for listings of the holiday happenings in Boston.

波士頓廣場聖誕樹12/1點燈 吳弭市長將出席

MAYOR WU TO HOST BOSTON COMMON TREE LIGHTING DECEMBER 1

BOSTON - Wednesday, November 23, 2022 - Mayor Michelle Wu, the Boston Parks and Recreation Department, and title sponsor The Province of Nova Scotia will host Boston’s signature holiday celebration, the 81st Annual Boston Common Tree Lighting, on Thursday, December 1, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. adjacent to the Visitor’s Information Center at 139 Tremont Street. 


Mayor Wu will be joined by Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston, marking the 51st year that Nova Scotia has given a tree to the people of Boston as thanks for relief efforts following the December 6, 1917, explosion of a munitions ship in Halifax Harbor. Within 24 hours of the disaster, a train loaded with supplies and emergency personnel was making its way from Boston to Nova Scotia.


“I am delighted to be able to celebrate this holiday tradition with our community, friends, and family at Boston Common,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “The City is grateful to our friends in Nova Scotia, who have gifted us beautiful trees every year, and we’re thankful that so many are able to enjoy holiday joy and cheer from this wonderfully lit tree.”  


WCVB Channel 5’s CHRONICLE Co-Anchors Anthony Everett and Shayna Seymour will host Channel 5’s live broadcast of the event beginning at 7 p.m. This year’s entertainment includes “America’s Got Talent” finalists Sons of Serendip who formed at Boston University, Nova Scotians singer-songwriter Jimmy Rankin and powerhouse musician Reeny Smith, from Broadway in Boston the Tony Award-winning “Six: The Musical,” Springfield’s own international award-winning recording artist Michelle Brooks Thompson, and Monument Records’ acclaimed country music sister duo Tigirlily Gold.


The official holiday season kick-off in Boston includes the lighting of the City of Boston's official Christmas tree and other trees throughout Boston Common and the Public Garden. Boston’s official 2022 Christmas tree is a 45-foot white spruce donated by landowner Roddy Townsend of Christmas Island, along with his children Angela, Carmen, and Andrew.


The holiday lights throughout both parks will light up in sequence shortly before 8 p.m. when Mayor Wu is joined onstage by Santa Claus and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. The show will close with a pyrotechnic display by Pyrotecnico.

The event is supported by title sponsor Province of Nova Scotia, presenting sponsor Amazon, community sponsor JetBlue, key sponsors Bank of America, Constellation, and Greater Boston Convention and Visitors Bureau, hotel sponsor Boston Park Plaza Hotel, pyrotechnic sponsor Related Beal, and media sponsors WCVB Channel 5 and The Boston Globe. A sampling village will feature giveaways from JetBlue and Xfinity, Dunkin’ seasonal drinks and snacks, eggnog from H.P. Hood, LLC, Drake’s Cakes famous pastries, hot chocolate from Roche Bros., McCrea’s Candies slow-cooked, handcrafted, award-winning caramel from the heart of Hyde Park, Boston, and AHA beverages. Stop by and visit the team from LEGOLAND Discovery Center Boston.


Sponsors of the “Make the Common Glow for the Holidays” appeal that makes lighting of the Common and Public Garden possible include Bank of America, A.D. Makepeace Companies, The Greater Boston Convention and Visitors Bureau, The Lynch Family Foundation, The Massachusetts Convention Center Authority, Related Beal, John Moriarty & Associates, Incorporated, Gilbane, New England Development, National Grid, and the Friends of the Public Garden.

Immediately following the celebration on the Boston Common, join Mayor Michelle Wu, the Friends of the Public Garden, and the Committee to Light the Commonwealth Avenue Mall as they flip the switch to light the lights on Commonwealth Avenue Mall.


For more information please call (617) 635-4505 or visit boston-common-tree-lighting.