By Sue Wambolt, Contributing Writer
Northborough – During the holiday season, Friends of Families in Transition (FFIT) strives to maintain a sense of normalcy for the more than 140 families and 320 children living in transition by hosting holiday parties complete with dinner, crafts, a visit from Santa Claus and presents.
FFIT, a nonprofit organization, was formed in 2011 in response to the needs of families living in an emergency motel shelter in Northborough. Since then, the organization has been asked to assist with coordination of services at several other motel shelter sites. The mission of FFIT is to support families as they transition from emergency motel shelters to permanent or other transitional housing. FFIT also supports families struggling with maintaining housing or contemplating entry into the Emergency Assistance Program.
Holiday parties will be held in Leominster (co-hosted by Ginny’s Helping Hands pantry and the Spanish American Center) and Southborough at St. Mark’s School. The party at St. Mark’s will be hosted by Cumberland Farms Corporation.
“Cumberland Farms has been assisting with the holidays for three years and are an amazing group of people, so full of the Christmas spirit,” shared Executive Director Julie Stanwood.
According to Stanwood, the organization is in need of toys for both boys and girls ages 2-12 and gift cards to Walmart & McDonalds as well as monetary donations to help cover the cost of holiday parties. Suggested donations include dolls, Fisher Price Little People items, character play sets, Legos, crafts and Nerf basketball sets. Gift bag items such as chocolate Santas, Lindt chocolate balls, adult and child stretchy gloves, fuzzy socks and small holiday trinket toys are needed. Donations can be dropped off at Trinity Church, 23 Main St., Northborough, before Thursday, Dec. 10.
For Stanwood, supplying the needs of the underprivileged is a personal crusade.
“Working with families in need has become a passion for me and our organization,” she said. “We work every day to help families in crisis create a sense of normalcy for their children. We have been blessed to be part of their lives, and it is wonderful to know that we have made a difference in their lives during such a difficult time.”
It is because of the work of Stanwood and the many volunteers at FFIT – along with the donations of generous strangers – that local families in transition will enjoy happy holidays this year.
Anyone wishing to make a large donation is asked to contact Stanwood at 508-709-5519 to arrange for pickup or delivery.