Five Great Nonprofits Making a Difference

Welcome to Patch Picks, the weekly feature that highlights editor and reader picks of great local businesses, destinations, services, organizations, ways to spend a day off,  and more. 

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This week, we're telling you about five great nonprofits in town. Even though this is a small town, there are plenty of charitable organizations doing wonderful things inside and outside Holliston.

But a list of five hardly covers it. Give us your picks in the comments section and let us know what else is out there.

1. Arthur Ashley Williams Foundation — 379 Underwood St.
   
   Mission: "To give financial aid and support exclusively for religious, charitable, scientific, literary and educational purposes."
2. Holliston Lions Club
   
   Mission: "We are people from and around the Holliston area who enjoy giving back to the community. We have the chance through the Holliston Lions."
3. — 23 Water St.; http://www.hollistonpantryshelf.org/.
   
   Mission: "The Holliston Pantry Shelf supplies supplemental food free of charge to Holliston residents in need."
4. — 360 Woodland Street, Suite 3; http://www.oousa.org/.
   
   Mission: "OO-USA gives books to children, lesson plans to teachers and guides to parents. OO-USA puts reading first, but takes it an important step further. Not only does it teach children to read and to be motivated and challenged to expand their knowledge base, it teaches respect, responsibility, courage, leadership and determination through specially chosen books and teacher-designed lesson plans. It helps to build a child’s character and self-esteem, the foundation of good citizenship."
5. — 1 Cross St.; http://www.planetaid.org/index.php?p=1_63_Southern-New-England.
   
   Mission: "Planet Aid is committed to helping poor and disadvantaged citizens of the Earth improve their lives and the lives of future generations. We support people and communities in the poorest regions of the world through projects addressing health, education, food production, and income generation.
   
   "Planet Aid is committed to peace and to humanity and we care deeply about the Earth as the home we share with millions of other species. Reusing discarded items from the rich part of the world as a vehicle to increase income and improve lives in other parts is good for the Earth and thus benefits all of us. Through our actions, Planet Aid seeks to inform and to promote cooperation and understanding between people across countries and continents."

Want to suggest a list? Submit your idea in the comment box.