BURLINGTON WEATHER

How Burlington Works

While community support is essential to help the most vulnerable members of our community year-round, the holiday season is a common time for businesses and individuals to spread their generosity and support in the form of donations to, or events supporting, local nonprofits. Here are a few ways local businesses have worked to give back locally this winter.

Burlington Mall Hosts Wish Tree in Partnership With People Helping People

For the 28th year, Burlington Mall hosted the annual Wish Tree to benefit People Helping People, the Burlington non-profit that supports families who need support with food and basic needs. Through the Wish Tree program, Burlington families are able to request items as holiday gifts; these wishes are fulfilled by residents and distributed to families in mid-December.

This year, Joss & Main donated and designed a cluster of Wish Trees, creating space for even more wishes from Burlington children.

Wish Tree at Burlington Mall, from People Helping People on Facebook.

Santa Party Raises over $1,000 for WeeCare Burlington

Each year, Kadilak Realty Group hosts a party at Grandview Farm where families can meet Santa and pose for a photo. The gathering has grown over the years in both size and activity offerings; this year it brought nearly 400 attendees together for a magic show, cookie decorating, crafts, letters to Santa, and, of course, professional photos with Santa.

Each year, a raffle is held, with ticket sales benefitting local children's nonprofit, WeeCare Burlington. This year, $1,270 was donated to WeeCare.

Ashley Hassell of Kadilak Realty Group presents the donation check to Donna Russo, founder of WeeCare Burlington.

Burlington's Disabled American Veterans Chapter Donates Holiday Meals

Since 2021, the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) chapter of Burlington has provided meals to go in honor of Pearl Harbor Day for the staff and residents of Bedford Green, an apartment complex in Bedford that provides supportive housing for veterans ages 55+.

This year, Burlington's DAV chapter distributed 40 meals from Capellini's of Tewksbury, which staff and residents could take home or enjoy together in the Community Room.

Pictured here (left to right) are Jacquie Cope, Senior Resident Services Manager at Bedford Green; Larry Sullivan, Adjutant DAV 113; George Hinds, DAV 113 member; John Tuma, DAV 113 member; Fred Shine, DAV 113 member; and Dave Leggeri, Commander DAV113.

Capital Grille Burlington Hosts VIP Networking Event Benefiting Mission of Deeds

Before the chill had settled in the air this fall, The Capital Grille Burlington brought together local business leaders, Burlington Area Chamber of Commerce members, and town officials for a networking evening that also supported a meaningful local cause. Hosted by Managing Partner Adam Mackler at the restaurant’s Wayside Road location, the event raised both funds and awareness for Mission of Deeds, a Reading-based nonprofit that helps individuals and families furnish their homes after experiencing homelessness, domestic violence, or extreme hardship.

Brendan F. Stapleton, owner of Fitness Together and Chairman of the Board of the Burlington Area Chamber of Commerce, highlighted the community spirit embodied by this event. "Supporting Mission of Deeds reflects our Chamber’s commitment to service and reminds us that the strength of our business community is measured by the impact we make on people’s lives.” The event brought in $1,100 for the Mission of Deeds.

Chair of the Burlington Area Chamber of Commerce Board Brendan Stapleton (far left), Capital Grille Managing Partner Adam Mackler (second from left), and Chamber President Rick Parker (far right) present the donation check to Mission of Deeds Board Member Jason Ruel.

Burlington Area Chamber of Commerce Collaborates with TransAction to "Stuff a Shuttle"

The Burlington Area Chamber of Commerce also held its first "Stuff a Shuttle" drive this December, bringing together local businesses and community members to collect food and toys for families in need. Over the course of the drive, donation boxes placed at workplaces and community locations across Burlington, Billerica, Bedford, and Cambridge filled up quickly, ultimately totaling more than 900 pounds of non-perishable food for the Burlington Food Pantry, along with hundreds of new, unwrapped toys for Toys for Tots.

With help from TransAction Associates & Corporate Shuttles, the donations were picked up, loaded onto a shuttle, and delivered directly to People Helping People, Inc. and Toys for Tots, supporting organizations that work year-round with local families facing food insecurity and financial hardship.

MyGym Offers Discounts for Foster Children and Caregivers

Momentum Enterprises, owner of Launch Family Entertainment and MyGym, and Wonderfund of Massachusetts just announced a partnership that will offer discounts to DCF-involved foster children and caregivers in Massachusetts; this includes the Woburn location of Launch and the Burlington MyGym location.

Both business will offer lower rates for birthday parties, while Launch will offer admission discounts and MyGym will offer discounted monthly memberships. These special rates, which will continue into 2026, are a part of an effort to expand access to safe, active, and enriching experiences.

Do you know of a business doing good this holiday or beyond? Let us know at hello@burlington.buzz.

To learn how you can get involved in giving back, or if you need assistance, you can check out our "Where to Give and Get Help" page and visit the tables of Burlington's local nonprofits at the Third Annual Civic Expo on January 14 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at the Burlington High School cafeteria.

Where to Give and Get Help in Burlington, MA – Burlington Buzz
A running list of local agencies that help community members in need
Burlington BuzzNicci Kadilak
Continue reading →

Editor's Picks

ALL STORIES

See all