The Newtown Fund’s Holiday Basket Drive:

Help Wanted To Create Happy Holidays

By Kendra Bobowick

“The big day is December 18,” Newtown Fund President and Holiday Basket Chair Linda Bates is quick to emphasize.

The Saturday before Christmas is Depot Day, the day that will see early holiday wishes coming true as volunteers deliver donations of needed food, clothing and gifts to households in town who would not otherwise be able to celebrate a merry Christmas.

“Without the total community involvement, this couldn’t be done,” said coordinator Rick Mazariello. “Kids want toys, and the elderly want warm clothes,” Ms Bates said. “There are no new needs.”

Every year as the forecast calls for snow and freezing temperatures and stores stock their shelves for holiday shopping, The Newtown Fund and Newtown Social Services coordinate donations for as many as 80 families in town that qualify for assistance.

With the help of Newtown Social Services, families are qualified for assistance, and through anonymous channels, Mr Mazzariello learns the number of adults and children, and their needs. The adopting family receives a list of items to purchase, which includes food, necessities and toys. The process through which people “adopt” a family keeps things strictly confidential.

“They will receive a family number, but will not know who [a family is] or where [they live],” he said.

Mr Mazzariello has enough residents to adopt the approximately 70 families who have applied for and been accepted into the program this season, but he still welcomes additional volunteers and donations. Contributions of food, clothing, or financial donations are still welcome. Cash will purchase gift cards for food, gas, etc.

“We add those to the families’ baskets,” he said.

Depot Day is when donors deliver everything to Sandy Hook School. Families bring their wrapped and labeled contributions, Boy Scouts are among those helping to load and unload vehicles, and Girl Scouts assist with additional wrapping and organizing. Volunteers of all ages participate in the collecting, sorting and delivery of Depot Day donations.

“It’s a good sense of accomplishment,” Mr Mazzariello said. “Many families appreciate the effort and the people who adopt love it as well.”

How To Help

Ms Bates hopes The Newtown Fund’s Holiday Basket Drive will be “on people’s minds” through December 18 as the holiday season finds residents wrapping and tying ribbons on gifts for their own families this year.

Tax-deductible checks should be made payable to The Newtown Fund and sent to PO Box 641, Newtown CT 06470.

Residents can donate new clothing, blankets, toys, food, etc, which may be dropped off at the Sandy Hook Elementary School on December 18 between 7:30 and 9 am. For a list of needed items or other gift suggestions, call Mr Mazzariello at 203-270-9190.

Help is also needed on delivery day to get the baskets to families’ homes. Baskets will not be available for delivery until 11:30 am.

Children under 18 should not accompany anyone delivering to a family with children.