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Newburyport Police's 19th Annual Food Drive Yields $5,900 in Donations

2024-12-09

During the holiday season, the Newburyport Police Department once again demonstrated their commitment to the community. On Saturday, Dec. 7, they held their 19th Annual Food Drive and were met with an outpouring of support. The department collected a total of $5,900 in donations, which will go a long way in providing food security to those in need.

"Newburyport Police's Generosity Feeds the Community"

Collection Details

This year, the Newburyport Police Officers worked hard to collect $4,200 worth of non-perishable food items. In addition, they received approximately $1,700 in gift cards and cash donations. These funds will be a valuable resource for the Salvation Army, which plays a crucial role in helping the community during the holiday season.

The various donation sources, such as Market Basket, Shaw’s, Domino’s Pizza, Newburyport Troop 251, and the local community, all came together to make this food drive a success. Their contributions show the power of collective action and the willingness of individuals to help their neighbors in times of need.

Marshal's Gratitude

City Marshal Matthew Simons expressed his deep gratitude for the success of the food drive. He said, "The success of this food drive is a testament to the amazing community that we are a part of and the selfless work of all the volunteers. I am grateful to each person that gave of their time, money, or food in support of these efforts and to Officer Matt Whitty, for coordinating the logistics around this event each year."

Marshal Simons' words highlight the importance of community partnerships and the impact that even small acts of kindness can have. The Newburyport Police Department's efforts in organizing and executing this food drive have made a significant difference in the lives of many.

Impact on the Community

The collected donations will directly benefit the Salvation Army, which provides essential food assistance to families and individuals in need. During the holiday season, when food insecurity is often a concern, these donations will help ensure that no one goes hungry.

The Newburyport Police Department's commitment to community service extends beyond law enforcement. Through initiatives like the annual food drive, they are actively working to improve the well-being of their community and make a positive impact on people's lives. Their efforts serve as an inspiration to others and show that even small gestures can have a big impact.

Tomas Soucek dedicated his goal in West Ham's 2-1 win over Wolves to Michail Antonio. The Hammers forward, 34, remains in hospital after a car crash on Saturday. Antonio underwent surgery on Sunday on a lower limb fracture and will continue to receive care. Soucek and Jarrod Bowen scored to move West Ham nine points clear of the relegation zone and ease the pressure on head coach Julen Lopetegui.When asked about Antonio, Soucek told Sky Sports: "The goal was for him. I said before the game I really wanted to score even more today. He's been here since I came here – he is really my favourite. I said it would be tough for me to play without him. I am happy that he is doing fine, but this is for him. He is a massive player and he is in my heart."The 29-year-old Czech international was worried when he heard the news. He said: "It was really tough for us. I was with the kids and I saw this information on the phone. I messaged everyone asking what happened and how he was. I was so scared what was going to happen. It was a really tough week for him, his family and us. We had a video call with him, the whole team, before the game. He smiled to us and gave us all the best. I can't wait to visit him. He is a really lovely guy and also funny. He even made a few jokes before the game and he wished us all the best."Jamaica international Antonio is West Ham's all-time leading scorer in the Premier League, with 68 goals in 268 league appearances. Soucek held up nine fingers, representing Antonio's shirt number, when celebrating his opener against second-bottom Wolves, while captain Bowen held up Antonio's shirt too after netting the 72nd-minute winner. Soucek added: "He is probably one of the best players West Ham have had. He will be soon with us. These things can happen, but hopefully he will be even better soon."West Ham's players warmed up in Antonio shirts prior to the game at London Stadium. Bowen told Sky Sports before kick-off: "Everyone loves Mic, he is a big character and waiting for news on the Saturday was difficult. He is not just a team-mate, he is a friend and has been for many years – a dad as well, to beautiful children. I just want to say thank you to all the support from everyone. As captain I've seen all the messages and support Mic has got. It is one of those things where life is bigger than football. The main thing is Mic is safe and well and he is here to tell the story. He is a warrior and a fighter, he always has been, through his career and I know he will be back stronger for this."Manager Lopetegui added: "Fortunately he was a miracle, looking at the picture of the car. These are more important things, the person, the dad, the brother. We are happy because he overcame the surgery that he had yesterday."There was also a minute's applause for Antonio in the ninth minute at the London Stadium once the game against Wolves had kicked off. The Hammers said the special 'Antonio 9' shirts, walking-out tops and the players' match-worn shirts will be signed and auctioned off, with the proceeds donated to the National Health Service and Air Ambulances UK. In a statement, the club added it "would like to reiterate heartfelt thanks to the first responders, emergency services, air ambulance staff and the NHS for the incredible support given to Michail in the wake of the accident."

Fortnite players and Epic Games customers have long awaited justice as they were tricked into making unwanted purchases. Now, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is set to deliver on that promise by providing refund payments. This significant settlement not only holds Epic Games accountable but also ensures that customers get the compensation they deserve.

Epic Games Settles for $245 Million in Gaming Refunds

How the FTC Ensures Fairness

The FTC's role in this matter is crucial. By ordering Epic Games to pay $245 million, they are sending a strong message that unlawful billing practices will not be tolerated. This settlement is a testament to the FTC's commitment to protecting consumers, especially in the gaming industry where such issues can have a significant impact. The agency's efforts to send more than 629,000 payments on Monday and additional disbursements later show their dedication to making things right for the affected customers. 2: The average payment of around $114 per customer is a fair compensation for the unwanted charges they incurred. Epic Games customers who submitted claim forms had the option to choose their preferred payment method. Those who chose PayPal have 30 days to redeem the funds, while check recipients have 90 days. This gives customers the flexibility they need to access their refunds.

Epic Games' Deceptive Tactics

The FTC alleges that Epic Games used dark patterns along with other tactics to trick customers. A "counterintuitive, inconsistent, and confusing button configuration" made it easy for Fortnite players to accidentally make unwanted charges with a single button press. Transitioning the game from sleep to wake mode also often triggered unwanted purchases. Pressing an "adjacent button" while trying to preview an item could lead to a charge. These deceptive practices clearly show how Epic Games took advantage of their customers. 2: As FTC Chair Lina M. Khan stated in December 2022 when the settlement was first announced, "Epic used privacy-invasive default settings and deceptive interfaces that tricked Fortnite users, including teenagers and children." This highlights the seriousness of the issue and the need for such settlements to protect the public, especially vulnerable groups like children.

Impact on Customers and the Gaming Industry

This settlement has a significant impact on both individual customers and the gaming industry as a whole. Customers will receive a much-needed refund, which can help them recover from the financial burden of unwanted purchases. For the gaming industry, it serves as a warning to other companies that they must be transparent and ethical in their business practices. It sets a precedent for holding companies accountable for their actions and protecting consumers from similar situations in the future. 2: The fact that this is the largest ever refund amount in a gaming case shows the severity of the problem and the FTC's determination to address it. It sends a clear message that consumers will not be taken advantage of and that companies must play by the rules. This will likely lead to increased scrutiny and regulation in the gaming industry, which is a positive development for consumers.