Photo/Bonnie Adams
Free Holiday Store offers gifts for children of families in need
By Bonnie Adams, Managing Editor
Westborough – For a child, Christmas morning is one of the most special days of the year. But for parents and guardians who are struggling and as such, may not have the resources to provide a happy experience for their kids, it can be heart-breaking.
In Westborough, once again, thanks to the generosity of so many who support the Free Holiday Store, families in need will indeed have a very merry Christmas.
The store, now in its 19th year, is overseen by Westborough Youth & Family Services. It is stocked with thousands of toys, books, mitten, gloves and hats that are donated by members of the community. Westborough residents, businesses, and civic groups, town organizations and faith communities all are involved in donating gifts and/or offering support services.
Families in need are then invited to sign up for a private appointment and “shop” at the store to get items for the children in their lives.
This year the store was set up in a conference room at the library. Not just a bleak setting with things thrown in haphazardly, rather it was, thanks to many volunteers, a festively decorated winter wonderland that would rival Santa’ s workshop any day.
Julia O’Neil Welch, administrative assistant for WYFS, explained that over 100 families would “shopping” at the store.
“We help a lot of families throughout the year needing different services,” she said. “So we know a lot of what some of them are going through. It’s not always what you think – many times a family could be doing well then something like a job loss or medical crisis happens.”
“But for the purposes of this Holiday Store we don’t ask them for any proof of hardship,” she said. “That’s not for us to know. This is to simply help those families ensure their kids have a nice holiday.”
Although her organization oversaw the effort, it could not happen without the support of so many others, she stressed.
“Everyone just really steps up,” she said. “The Rotary Club of Westborough, Westborough Women’s Club, the different town departments, businesses, residents…it is truly a community effort.”
Gerry Gross, a member of the Rotary Club of Westborough, concurred.
“This town is really unique. There is so much kindness and generosity,” he said. “Everyone works together in a collaborative effort.
“It just shows how much people care about each other in this town.”
