Are you wondering where to go cut down your own locally grown Christmas Tree? Well, here's a quick list of places to check out:

There they are. 5 Central Massachusetts locations to find a cut-your-own tree and some holiday fun.

Photo Credit: reid.gilman

The Coats for Kids program provides the necessary winter outerwear to enable children in Worcester to come to school each day ready to learn. It all started 20 years ago as the brainchild of Paula Harrity, runs the Volunteer Office at the Worcester Public Schools. Her efforts are now supported by The Junior League of Worcester and the Worcester Educational Development Foundation (see below for more information about these organizations).

Over the past 20 years, Coats for Kids has provided approximately 25,000 new coats to children in need.

The Worcester Junior League initially joined forces with Paula Harrity as the fiscal agent for the project. Later, their involvement expanded to include a more hands-on roll: shopping, bagging and delivering coats.

This year the effort was joined by the Worcester Educational Development Foundation. They have taken on the fiscal responsibility for the project. The Junior League continues to raise funds, shop, bag and deliver coats.

About the organizations:

The Junior League of Worcester is a local non-profit – organization of women, committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers.

The Worcester Educational Development Foundation (WEDF), was founded in 2005 to help support programs and facilities benefiting the students and teachers of the Worcester Public School System.

Would you like to help?

The Coats for Kids project accepts monetary donations throughout the year. Whether large or small, all contributions are greatly appreciated and tax deductible.

Please make check payable to WEDF/Coats for Kids and mail to:

c/o JLW

42 Whitman Road

Worcester, MA 01609
Junior League of Worcester, Coats for Kids page

Resources include contact information, thank you cards from some of the children who have received coats, lists of sponsors and a place to make an online donation.

Other ways to support the Worcester Public Schools:

Visit the Worcester Public Schools online to see a list of supplies needed or to find out how to volunteer.

Photo Credit: Christina Roberts

Are you looking for a fun, family-friendly way to spend a day? How about heading out to a local farm or orchard to pick your own pumpkins? I’ve found five places where you can do just that – and more.

Make sure you call ahead to verify the hours and supply. Several of these places also have orchards with apple picking so you can get ALL sorts of fall treats.

Help support the local farms and orchards, show the kids where pumpkins really come from, take a hay ride. This is fall in New England – get out there and experience it!

Breezy Gardens, Leicester
Hay rides, a mini-corn maze, pumpkin decorating (10 a.m. – 5 p.m.) and LLAMAS! Breezy Gardens is fairly close to Worcester, straight out Route 9 on the Leicester/Spencer line. This is a good one for a weekend afternoon activity.

Breezy Gardens
1872 Main Street
Leicester Ma, 01524
(508) 892-9201

Charlton Orchard, Charlton
A real working family farm. They are open 7 days a week from June through January. They’ve got a wide variety of pick-your-own fruits and veggies. This is a good one to keep in mind for other seasons as well. Call ahead for more information or check out their web site.

Charlton Orchard
44 Old Worcester Road
Charlton, MA 01507
(508) 248-7820
(800) 649-1476
Email info@charltonorchard.com

Tougas Family Farm, Boylston/Northboro
Tougas Family Farm has apples and pumpkins and a lot more. Check their web site for information about pick-your-own conditions. They also have a playground and a barnyard with lots of animals for the kids to visit. Make sure you visit the Farm Kitchen. It’s got all sorts of yummy treats and snacks (apple cider donuts!!). You can also catch a wagon ride around their orchards.

Tougas Family Farm
Exit 24 off I-290 on the Boylston – Northboro line
246 Ball Street
Northboro, MA 01532
Always call before you come!
(508) 393-6406 Picking info-line or check the picking conditions page

Wojcik’s Farm, Blackstone
Pumpkins everywhere! They’ve got them in their store and in their 6-acre pumpkin patch. They’ve also got 20 acres of apple trees (15 varieties). In addition to the fruit picking they’ve got a corn maze and wagon rides out to the fields.

Wojcik’s Farm
65 Milk Street
Blackstone, MA 01504
(508) 883-9220
For questions, comments, or to make reservations for a group outing:
Please email at vickiwojcik@comcast.net or call (508) 883-9220

Westward Orchards, Harvard
Pumpkin picking on weekends only. On Saturdays and Sundays between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. they have hay rides out to the patch. The hay rides end the weekend before Halloween. They do have pick-your-own apples too; the season ends after Columbus Day weekend – so hurry! They’ll supply the bags. Sorry, dogs are not allowed so please leave them home.

Westward Orchards & Farm Store
Rt. 111 Harvard, MA
Open Daily 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Closed Tuesdays
(978) 456-8363