Waltham nonprofits shine in Watertown Savings Bank’s $100,000 Customer Choice Awards

Thirty-four local nonprofits received a total of $100,000 in funds from Watertown Savings Bank for its 27th Customer Choice Awards. The awardees were selected by popular vote and feted at a celebration on Tuesday, May 5, at the Sons of Italy Hall in Watertown.

“Our Customer Choice Awards program is one of which we are particularly proud because of how many organizations benefit,” said Watertown Saving Bank President and CEO Brett Dean. “The list of winners reflects the important work being done by non-profit organizations throughout the communities we serve. Customer Choice Awards Night is the Bank’s favorite event of the year.”

Waltham had a strong presence with 15 organizations showcasing the city’s vibrant nonprofit community serving a diversity of needs – and the ardent support of our community members who voted for them.

Waltham-based awardees ranged from Badass Waltham Warriors, founded by cancer survivors to support people living with a cancer diagnosis, to the Officer Paul Tracey 16 Memorial Foundation, founded to honor the late WPD officer by helping young people pursue careers in public safety. 

Several other honorees also focused on youth, including the Waltham YMCA, St. Mary’s After School Program, Waltham Choral Parents Association, Waltham Partnership for Youth and Waltham High School All Night Party. The YMCA provides children and adults with a wide range of sports and wellness programs. The St. Mary’s program helps children in grades 2 to 8 “grow in mind, body, and soul.” The WCPA raises funds to cover costs for all students in Waltham High School’s award-winning show choir program. WPY places high school students in paid internships at businesses and nonprofits, while the All Night Party ensures WHS students have a safe place for post-prom festivities. 

Providing aid to people in need is the mission of several awardees. The Community Day Center of Waltham is a drop-in shelter that provides food, beds, showers, clothing and case workers to support homeless neighbors. Our Lady Comforter of the Afflicted’s St. Vincent de Paul Society was recognized for supporting people with food vouchers, utility bills, scholarships and other types of aid. Healthy Waltham maintains food pantries and distribution programs for families facing food insecurity. A core mission of the Waltham Fields Community Farm is to provide fresh produce to local food programs from its organic farm on Beaver Street. The farm also educates children and adults about farming and the environment.

Historic and artistic organizations also received awards. Gore Place was recognized for its stewardship and education programs around the historic 19th-century Gore Estate. Metalwerx won kudos for its school for jewelry making and community studio. 

Waltham-based The Cat Connection is a no-kill cat rescue and adoption program run entirely by volunteers. The organization sends a weekly article about a cat in need of a home to The Waltham Times. 

Independent, local news made a strong showing. In addition to The Waltham Times, which won $10,000, the nonprofit Belmont Voice, founded in 2024, and YourArlington, founded in 2006 as “an experiment in community journalism,” were among the winners..

Winners of the 27th Customer Choice Awards

First Prize: $15,000 – St. James Armenian Church Youth Organization of America

Second Prize: $10,000 – The Waltham Times

Third Prize: $7,500 – St. Mary’s After School Program 

Actors’ Shakespeare Project

Ancient Order of Hibernians Division 14

Badass Waltham Warriors

Belmont STEAM Alliance Corporation

Burn Survivors of New England

Chaisson Family Foundation

Community Day Center of Waltham

Food Link

Gals Best Pal

Gore Place 

Healthy Waltham

Massachusetts Chamber Music Artists

Metalwerx

Mosesian Center for the Arts

Newton North High School PTSO

Officer Paul Tracey 16 Memorial Foundation

Our Lady Comforter of the Afflicted’s St. Vincent de Paul Society

Project Socks

Sayat Nova Dance Company

Sons & Daughters of Italy in Watertown

St. Luke’s Saint Vincent de Paul Society

St. Stephen’s Armenian Elementary School

The Belmont Voice

The Cat Connection

Waltham Choral Parents Association

Waltham Fields Community Farm

Waltham High School All Night Party

Waltham Partnership for Youth

Waltham YMCA

Watertown Boy & Girls Club

YourArlington