By Ed Karvoski Jr., Contributing Writer
Marlborough – For the fourth year, the United Way of Tri-County (UWTC) is offering its “Hope for the Holidays” program for Marlborough families in need of assistance with children’s gifts. Over 800 children up to age 18 have been identified by local social service agencies and are registered in this year’s program. Sponsors, monetary donations and volunteers are needed to help fulfill their gift requests.
Barbara LaGrenade, the director of volunteerism at the UWTC and office coordinator at the Marlborough Community Cupboard, is grateful for support from individuals, organizations and businesses.
“Everybody’s heart opens up during the holiday season,” she said. “They want all these children to be as happy as they can be. It gives everybody hope by sponsoring the families or making donations so that we can purchase the gifts.”
Families have completed a form on which they listed three gift requests per child. A number of this year’s requests are for educational toys.
“If a family gives us three choices for a gift, we try our best to match at least one of those gifts perfectly,” LaGrenade explained.
Two corporations are currently conducting toy drives for the program. Toy drives have also been conducted in past years by faith organizations and residents.
“Toy drives are very beneficial,” LaGrenade said. “But rather than doing a toy drive, most companies, organizations and individuals prefer to sponsor children and families. If a child isn’t sponsored, or if we don’t have the items from the toy drives, then we use donations we’ve received to go out and purchase one of the items that’s most important to the child.”
A sponsor provides the age-appropriate gifts, which must be brought to the UWTC office by Friday, Dec. 12. The presents will be distributed the following week. A suggested monetary donation of $25 can be made online for UWTC to purchase items.
“Donations are very helpful because then we can purchase what’s on their wish list,” LaGrenade added.
Requests aren’t always for toys. Often, families ask for winter clothing as the children’s holiday gifts. LaGrenade attempts to help families’ clothing needs, while also giving the children a more desired gift. She recalls a particular parent’s three requests: coats, boots and mittens.
“The mother asked for nothing else other than warm outer-clothing,” she relayed. “I merged all the winter clothing items together, and added toys and games for the other two choices.”
During this time of year, many volunteers join the few UWTC staff members to organize “Hope for the Holidays.” They help sort and match gifts, and assist with pick-ups and deliveries.
“We couldn’t do this program without the volunteers,” LaGrenade said.
To further assist those in need, UWTC launched the “Feed-A-Family for Fifty” campaign. A donation of $50 will provide a full holiday dinner to a family. Last year, holiday dinners were given to over 450 families in Marlborough. That campaign will continue throughout the holiday season.
LaGrenade has experienced firsthand how gratifying “Hope for the Holidays” is for everyone involved.
“Some of the parents get teary-eyed when they pick up the gifts,” she said. “We put smiles on the children’s faces when they receive the gifts they requested that they otherwise wouldn’t get without the sponsors.”
For sponsorship and volunteer information, contact LaGrenade at 508-370-4902 or [email protected].
Donations for “Hope for the Holidays” can be made at uwotc.org/hope. Donations for “Feed-A-Family for Fifty” can be made at uwotc.org/feedafamily.
