By Melanie Petrucci, Senior Community Reporter
Photo/Melanie Petrucci
Shrewsbury – Shrewsbury resident Andrea Castinetti will soon be opening a real estate business in Shrewsbury and is planning to launch a nonprofit organization, but has managed to find the time to host two events to help those in need.
Castinetti and a group of volunteers are holding an event called “Fostering Love Backpack Drive” to be held Sunday, April 8, from 2 to 5 p.m. at the John W. Higgins Armory, 100 Barber Ave., in Worcester.
This will be her second backpack event. The goal for this one is to fill backpacks for children – infants to teens – who are in the foster care system. One of Castinetti’s clients is a social worker with the Department of Children and Families (DCF) and she said that there is a huge need for foster parents as well as supplies.
Through connections, Castinetti has over 400 backpacks ready to be filled and a list of over 30 sponsors who have stepped up to help. She wishes to especially acknowledge Higgins Armory, Polar Beverages and Jenny Boston.
Castinetti has always been involved with charitable causes but the genesis of her recent endeavors happened a few months ago when, in the bitter cold, she happened upon a group of homeless people in Worcester and thought, “‘We need to be able to do something,’ so I put it on Facebook and asked ‘who wants to help me fill 50 backpacks?’”
The idea was to gather and fill the backpacks in her office so she started a private Facebook group. It was held Jan. 13 and, because the interest grew and the donations began to roll in, they had way more than just 50 backpacks. They needed a bigger location. A friend of Castinetti’s suggested the First Congregational Church in West Boylston.
“It was a really cool event that showed the community coming together for people that are really most in need.” Castinetti noted.
The response was amazing – over 300 people showed up. Congressman Jim McGovern came by, there was face painting, a craft table and handmade, personalized note cards were made for each backpack. Pizza was donated by United Bank and cookies from Wicked Good Cookies.
Proceeds from the original backpack drive went to Hotel Grace, a homeless shelter in Worcester and part of the Net of Compassion organization.
“Kindness is contagious,” Castinetti said.
She encouraged folks to come and help out on April 8 even if they cannot donate anything. The event is free and it’s a great way to get the kids involved with helping others.
Local magician Steve Charette will perform; there will be refreshments, face painting and crafts. The backpacks will go to the DCF for children in foster care.
For more information about donating to or getting involved with the Fostering Love Backpack Drive, call 508-719-8804.
