News

LYNN — For Americans, Sept. 11 is a day of remembrance for the deadliest terrorist attack in the country’s history. But it has served a dual purpose since Congress declared it a National Day of Service in 2009.

By: Amanda Burkey, Globe Correspondent

Andrew DeFranza isn’t one for the spotlight.

So when the Beverly resident’s US Representative, Seth Moulton, announced that DeFranza had won the inaugural Peter J. Gomes Service Award, so-named for the late Harvard pastor, he couldn’t help but emphasize the power of collective action.

“This is not just me,” said DeFranza, who works to bring affordable housing to North Shore communities. “This is a group effort, and I’m just a participant.”

NEWBURY — Byfield, Newbury and Plum Island just got a little “safer” thanks to a Federal Emergency Management Agency grant awarded to the Newbury Fire Department this week.

The Office of Congressman Seth Moulton, D-Salem, announced on Wednesday that Newbury was awarded a grant worth $157,189 from the Staffing for Adequate Fire & Emergency Response (SAFER) program. The funding will be used to update fire department equipment to improve critical communications capacities both at the station and in the field.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and its federal partners consisting of the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, and the Department of Education, announced the three Massachusetts companies are among the 68 winners of the third annual Growth Accelerator Fund Competition.

LYNN — Lynn English High School is growing its garden space as part of a historic tribute.

Principal Thomas Strangie presented the idea of expanding an existing food garden at English High to the unanimous support of the Lynn School Committee on Wednesday.

Strangie said that a garden with five beds is at the school now and students will be adding two more beds by bringing in extra soil to update and expand the growing space.

TEWKSBURY -- Nearly $12 million in federal grants were secured to help end veteran homelessness in Massachusetts, according to U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton.

The money will be used to help prevent low-income veteran families from slipping into homelessness. Private and nonprofit organizations, as well as consumer cooperatives that offer services to low-income veteran families, will be awarded funding through the Supportive Services for Veteran Families program.

LYNN — On the 15th anniversary of the attacks of Sept. 11, a National Day of Service, U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Mass.) will name the winner of the inaugural Peter J. Gomes Service Award.

The ceremony will take place on Sunday at 9 a.m. in the Lynn English High School auditorium and will be followed by a Day of Service, in coordination with local nonprofits and AmeriCorps and City Year members.