The 246th class of the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy’s Career Recruit Firefighting Training Program graduated on July 1. The program lasts 45 days and is offered free of tuition by the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy in Stow. The 25 graduates in the class represent 14 fire departments, including Tyler J. Simpson, Beverly; Ryan W. Fairbanks, Joseph G. St. Hilaire, Ivan Warner, and Devon Wildes, Haverhill; Jonathan Hoehn and Eric Moreau, Methuen; and Thomas W. Coppola, John P. Dres, Andrew Guralnick, Ronald J. Hampton, Joseph G. Papetti, and Andrew Tkaczuk, Somerville. The intensive program teaches skills needed to respond to fires as well as training in public fire education, hazardous material incident mitigation, flammable liquids, stress management, confined space rescue techniques, and rappelling.

The Stonewood Tavern in Peabody is holding a fund-raiser for Healing Abuse Working for Change from 5 to 8 p.m. on Monday, July 18. HAWC, a nonprofit based in Salem dedicated to eliminating domestic abuse, has a 22-person staff and a volunteer base of approximately 50. It provides a 24-hour crisis hot line, temporary shelter, and legal advocacy. The Stonewood Tavern, located at 139 Lynnfield St., will donate 20 percent of its proceeds from food sales during that time.

The Hannaford Helps Reusable Bag Program has selected The Angel Fund for ALS Research as its beneficiary for the month of July at its Saugus store. The nonprofit organization contributes to research on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a progressive neuromuscular disease. The Saugus Hannaford’s will donate $1 to The Angel Fund for every blue reusable bag with the good karma inscription purchased.

North Shore Community College has named Nicole Marcotte director of development. Marcotte, a Lynn native, has nonprofit fund-raising experience at the local, state, and national levels, and most has been major gifts officer at the American Red Cross of Massachusetts. The college has campuses in Danvers, Lynn, and Middleton.

Merrimack Valley Hospice is offering Summer Break, a daylong program for grieving children ages 6 through 14, at Winnekenni Castle, 347 Kenoza Ave. in Haverhill, from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday, July 21. Summer Break provides a supportive environment where children can meet and interact with peers who are undergoing similar emotional struggles. Lunch and snacks are provided. Registration is required but the program is free of charge. To register, call 978-552-4510.

Vanessa Nason

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