Make the016.com a preferred choice with Google by clicking here

Sheriff Evangelidis of the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office delivers Random Acts of Kindness goody bags to the staff at The Queen's Cups on Water Street. (Worcester County Sheriff's Office)
By The Worcester County Sheriff's Office
WORCESTER – During the week of February 13th, Worcester County Sheriff’s Office staff visited Worcester to randomly distribute goody bags to citizens, who were going about their daily business, as a part of the Department’s Random Acts of Kindness Initiative. For their second year, Sheriff Lew Evangelidis and the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office celebrated Random Acts of Kindness week, this year falling between February 13th – 17th.
The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation is the driving force behind the holiday. The organization was founded during a mid-1990s summer when violence was at an all-time high on the west coast. Inspiration to start the organization came from a television reporter who noted that people should stop reporting on “random acts of violence” and "practicing random acts of kindness and senseless acts of beauty.”
Sheriff Evangelidis, correctional officers, community support center staff, and volunteers distributed over 3,500 goody bags containing chips, cookies, candy, and water to lucky individuals they met at stores, public safety departments, bus stops, restaurants, or even just walking the streets of the county. By the end of the week, Sheriff’s Office staff and volunteers visited every Worcester County community to spread kindness and inspire a sense of friendliness in the cities and towns they serve.
This year, Tito’s Handmade Vodka was the bag sponsor for the Sheriff’s Office Random Acts of Kindness initiative. With the generous donation from Tito’s, the Sheriff’s Office and the Worcester County Reserve Deputy Sheriff Association were able to acquire the entirety of the 3,500 good bags at no cost, making this event possible. This tremendous charitable act has extended through every municipality in Worcester County.
“As a law enforcement agency, it is crucial for the Sheriff’s Office to build bridges, big and small, in the communities that we serve,” commented Worcester County Sheriff Lew Evangelidis. “This week allows our staff to engage with citizens 1 on 1, educating the public on the role of the Sheriff’s Office and the importance of fostering relationships with local law enforcement. Above all else, there is no doubt that we could all use a little more positivity and random kindness in our daily lives.”
What else is happening in and around Worcester? Click here or keep scrolling ⤵️
In The News
>WEATHER: Get ready for heavy rain, high around 80 today in Worcester
>TOP OF THE NEWS
-2 displaced after Worcester house fire
-Chronic church noise complaints prompt Worcester to review enforcement, ordinance
-Chance to win money, prizes at lottery event in Worcester
-Part of Lake Quinsigamond remains closed due to E. coli bacteria
-Central Mass. students fight to save closing low-income college prep program
-After Anna Maria and Becker closures, colleges embrace new strategies amid intensifying headwinds
-Former Worcester Academy ballfields slated for 207-unit housing complex
-Summer Eats treats Worcester youth to free breakfast, lunch
-Worcester Guardian seeks members for new Community Advisory Board
-Worcester man charged with trespass, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest
>DINING OUT: Saloon 139 in Worcester offers Chinese food kicked up a notch
-ICYMI: How Central Mass. school districts are faring as tax overrides have tripled in 10 years
-Meet the freshman teachers starting out this fall in local schools
-Music with spirit fills air at Summer Gospel Fest on Worcester Common
-Worcester cyclists tackle steep hill in race to honor Major Taylor
-Remember Goose? Here’s what the famous runaway lizard has been up to
-Worcester police warn of spike in Infiniti thefts
-See the rest of the day's Worcester news
>HOLDEN (brought to you by Lamoureux Ford): Mexicali reopens
-This week's road closures and traffic delays
-Russ Parker from Holden loves Lamoureux Ford (3:04)
>THE BURBS (brought to you by North End Motor Sales): Driver charged with motor vehicle homicide in death of Oakmont student
-In Shrewsbury, Emerald Run construction halted after environmental issues
-Chris Starczewski elected chairman of Dudley Board of Selectmen
-Doug Small is Spencer’s new U & F superintendent
-East Brookfield celebrates America’s 250th with fireworks, parade and carnival fun
>BARS & BANDS: The Mayor's Live Music List for Tuesday
>SHOWTIME: Gateway Players open "Escape to Margaritaville" Friday
-The Village's Revolutionary Reading Tuesday
-Cassinda Scharff: 4 extra spicy book series that consumed my life
>OPINION: Dr. Geneve Allison and Dr. Ethan Brackett: PC4YOU state's antidote to medical care cuts
-WCCA-TV's Intern Interviews No. 107 (1:26:14): Commemorating Robert Goddard's launch of a small liquid-fueled rocket
>OBITUARIES: Tribute to second generation leader of family construction company in Worcester
>SPORTS: A.J. Brown starting to fit in and more takeaways from Day 3 (1:50)
-Patriots’ defense ahead of offense early in training camp
-How Chad Tracy is following in father Jim Tracy’s footsteps
-Red Sox beat A's, 4-2
-Holy Cross standout Michela Lio signs with German pro team
-Bravehearts beat Lowell, 10-0
-Bravehearts' 2027 ‘Hearts Club memberships are here
-WooBall Weekly: Bravehearts back above .500 after 3-1 post-All-Star week
-Win WooSox tickets courtesy of North End Motor Sales
>NATIONAL: American Red Cross declares nationwide blood shortage (1:05)
-Police arrested a 15-year-old after a festival shooting that killed 3 near the Space Needle
-Tragic: 11-year-old boy dies from rabies after waking up with bat on his face
>NEW ENGLAND: Lindsay Clancy trial begins (18:34): Analysis on openings, ex-husband's testimony
-Opening statements: Prosecution (19:48), defense (33:05)
-Teacher accused of having child sex abuse material, police say (:30)
>TRAVEL (brought to you by Fuller RV & Rental): 7 people you should always tip on vacation
>BUSINESS: The key to North Central downtown revitalization? Small businesses
-National Grid's $474 million project leads push to power the economy of the future
>SHOPPING: Popular squishy toys may cause serious burns, doctors say (2:44)
>HOMES: Central Mass. real estate transfers
>HEALTH: Cyclospora outbreak is changing people's eating habits (1:46)
-Women living in poverty are more likely to develop cervical cancer (2:49)
>FOOD: McDonald's employee reveals secret menu hacks
>TV/STREAMING: Where to stream Shark Week for free
>MOVIES: Ryan Gosling unveiled as Ghost Rider, David Jonsson joins Marvel in "Black Panther 3" role
>CELEBRITY: John Cusack reveals why he stepped away from Hollywood after decades
-Nickelodeon star has "crashout" over shocking residual check
>ANIMALS: Former stray cat kept hissing at her new kitten brother (2:22)
>HISTORY: This 56-foot Worcester castle was built to honor a U.S. Naval Academy founder
>GOOD NEWS: Mass. veterans take to the skies again with Dream Flights in World War II-era aircraft
-Meanwhile, in Colorado, deputies respond to "break-in," find bear cubs ransacking home
Latest obituaries | | Monday's Highlights | | Today's horoscope | | Local Sports
Classifieds
>HELP WANTED
+Job fair at Worcester Post Office August 18th
-Part-time dishwasher and line cook, Canal District bar & restaurant
-Police officers, Town of Shrewsbury
-Front of house manager, Holden restaurant
-Part-time hosts, West Boylston restaurant
See all Help Wanteds | | Job opening? Post it here for FREE today
Quick Links: Personalize your news | | Browse members | | Advertise | | Blogs | | Invite friends | | Videos
Animals | | Boston Sports | | Business | | Cars | | Celebrity | | Colleges | | Commute & Travel | | Crime | | Faith | | Food | | Good News | | Health | | Help Wanted | History | | Homes | | Local Sports | | Lottery | | Movies | | National | | New England | | Politics | | Shopping & Deals | | SHOWTIME! | | TV & Streaming | | Weather