Great Non-Profits Making a Difference in the Westwood Area

highlights editor and reader picks of great local businesses, destinations, services, organizations, ways to spend a day off, and more.  You’ll find useful lists to help you, your family, friends, and significant others find the best places for everything from Sunday brunch to New Year’s Eve celebrations, pumpkin patches, date night destinations, florists, girlfriend nights out, kids party places, parks and more.

So far, Westwood Patch's Patch Picks feature has offered ideas on the , as well as where to check out some of the for lovers on Valentine's Day.

This week, we're focusing on giving back to the community. Here's a roundup of various non-profit organizations in the area that work to lend a hand:

Westwood Rotary Club: Last September, the Westwood Rotary Club spearheaded an effort to bring . What's more, one of the rotarians - Teresa Tavera Thomas - this past fall in order to bring medicine and hope to the area.

: The town's food pantry was , welcoming the helping hands of various students from Thurston Middle School, who were on hand to sort and stack food items that were donated by residents. All food collected goes to needy families or single folks living in Westwood. Anyone interested in receiving food through the pantry needs to meet a standard of being in need, such as being unemployed.

: Located on Hartford Street on the back side of the same complex as , , and , Glad Rags this past fall, offering a wide variety of clothing, books, toys, jewelry and various household goods. In October, .

The Westwood High School Animal Awareness Club recognized this past holiday season that humans weren't the only ones feeling the heat of a poor economic climate. The group decided to collect toys and supplies for the Milton Animal League this past December as a result. Just started this past year, the club was founded by Westwood High School Student President Aislinn Rodriguez and Vice President Daniella Brodsky.

Bay State Animal Cooperative of Norwood: In the same light as the Animal Awareness Club, the Bay State Animal Cooperative helps to spread the word about animals in need, specifically in need of a home. Each Friday, we feature a new on Westwood Patch that is up for adoption through the BSAC.