Shrewsbury – Shrewsbury Youth & Family Services (SYFS) announced that due to the efforts of many volunteers, donors, businesses and the Shrewsbury Knights of Columbus, several disadvantaged children will have gifts to unwrap for the holidays. In Shrewsbury, 78 children were served through this drive and will have toys, books and warm clothes to unwrap. Additionally, 34 families received grocery gift cards to help with the costs of a holiday meal. The remaining gifts were sent to the Department of Children and Families to help bring holiday joy to children in foster care.
Terry Cassidy, executive director of SYFS stated, “We are so fortunate to have such a generous and caring community. Each year, LouAnn Geer and her sister Nancy Manzello lead the Holiday Toy Drive effort. They are committed to ensuring that local children have a happy holiday. This year the drive was tremendously successful. We were overwhelmed by the kindness of the residents of this community.
“The were many contributors including the Shrewsbury Knights of Columbus who provided a $1,000 donation, and high school students that collected toys and donations. Several business collected gifts, individuals brought in grocery cards and a local neighborhood conducted a Holiday Stroll to raise donations. It touches your heart when you see so much kindness and selfless acts of giving.”
Shrewsbury Youth & Family Service’s mission is to strengthen and enhance the lives of those living in the community by working in collaboration to provide counseling, education and prevention services. The agency provides an array of services including counseling, positive youth development programs, case management and assistance for disadvantaged individuals.
For more information or to refer someone for services, contact Shrewsbury Youth & Family Services, Inc., at [email protected] or 508-845-6932.
Photos/submitted