Tune into the 11^th HOPEsudbury Telethon and Auction Saturday, November 3 from Noon-10PM. The event is shown live on Sudbury TV (Comcast 8 and Verizon 31) and can also be viewed on-line at Sudbury TV. org.

Over 240 items will be auctioned. “About a third of our items are new this year," says Rachel Goodrich, HOPEsudbury auction committee co-chair. "We reached out to Boston museums and sports teams and are thrilled to have many new tickets and some special collector's items like signed Clay Buchholz and Dustin Pedroia baseballs. There's something for everyone, from big-ticket items like a week at LEAP's Summer Camp ($1,620 value) to lots of restaurant and salon gift certificates valued at $50 or less." Tickets to the Kiss 108 Jingle Ball, Celtics, Nutcracker, Patriots, US Open, Boston Symphony Orchestra and a wine tasting for 12 are some of the highlights. Go on line to HOPEsudbury.org to view the guide. K-8 families should check their kids backpacks for auction guides.  As well, they are available at Sudbury Farms, the Goodnow Library and at supporting businesses throughout town. 

An array of Sudbury’s most talented citizens will perform throughout the day in of this true community effort. Performers range from a 5 year old pianist to a 79 year old dancer. There will be singers, bands and a fashion show entitled “What’s the color trend for this season?” Don't miss the International Music and Dance Hour from 7-8PM hosted by Boston Symphony Orchestra Conductor Johnathan McPhee.

Since its inception HOPEsudbury members have worked toward creating events involving as many as possible in the Sudbury community. In practice this has meant spearheading community drives such as an annual drive for backpacks for children in a local homeless shelter, sending care packages to Sudbury and Hanscom AFB soldiers deployed overseas, and giving baskets full of household goods to families leaving homeless shelters.

The crown jewel of HOPEsudbury’s efforts is The HOPE Fund, which dispenses emergency money through the town social worker to Sudbury residents only.  Prior to establishing The HOPE Fund, local resident had nowhere to turn for short-term financial assistance. Any resident in need can apply to The HOPE Fund once a year, a single person household can be granted up to $500 and a family $1000. This money is used for the basics: utility bills, doctor bills, mortgage or rent payments, etc. Since 2001 the HOPE Fund has supported over 500 Sudbury families.

HOPEsudbury also donates to local, national and international organizations that touch the lives of the less fortunate, including emergency response donations to support disaster relief efforts, such as to the communities in western Massachusetts hard hit by tornadoes. HOPEsudbury also supports local community projects, such as giving seed money to help the Military Support Family Network get off the ground and supporting the town Memorial Garden.

Check out HOPEsudbury.org for more information about the event.