SOUTHBURY – Even though the Southbury Needy Fund Holiday gift program for Southbury’s needy children is well underway there is still time to help a family this Christmas by either donating to the Fund or ‘adopting a child to buy new clothing. Donations to the Fund can be sent to the Southbury Needy Fund, Inc., P. O. Box 72, Southbury, CT 06488. Or if interested in buying clothing for a child on the list or helping with the sorting of the gifts please call Sharon Lieber at 264-8743 or e-mail Southbury1@aol.com.
The Fund has coordinated new clothing and toys for needy Southbury families for over 30 years. So far the list for 2012 consists of 152 children from 78 families. Social Services Director Sandy Saren said that she expects the number of families to increase. The program is made possible by the donations from local organizations, churches, businesses and many generous residents. The Southbury Police, in coordination with the stores in the Southbury Plaza, held a successful toy drive the day after Thanksgiving and plan on conducting another toy drive at the Plaza on Saturday, December 1, 2012.
The Needy Fund receives the names of the eligible families from the Town of Southbury’s Social Services Department and other agencies as appropriate. Each child on the list receives new outfits, pajamas, sweaters, winter hat and mittens and toys. Special needs such as winter coats, snow pants, winter boots, and shoes are also provided
So far this year, parishioners from Sacred Heart Church, the United Church of Christ, and Saint James Lutheran Church are participating by adopting children and providing gifts. Various organizations such as the Southbury Women’s Club and Southbury Juniorettes, Southbury Homemakers as well as employees of Town Hall departments, Premier Financial, The GAP, The Bakery, William Raveis Real Estate, Southbury Pediatrics/West CT Medical Group, Southbury Stone and Supply, Pediatric Dental Assoc. of Southbury, PES and Gainfield staff, BAS program, Hine Brothers, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, Primary Care/Western CT Medical Group of Southbury, Southbury Cardiovascular/Western CT Medical Group, Girl Scout Troop 64103 In addition, Pomperaug Elementary School will be conducting a toy drive and Gainfield first graders will buy new clothing for several of the children on the list.
The Heritage Women’s Club will again be sponsoring a Giving Tree for the children and for the seniors in need of holiday cheer gift baskets. The residents of East Hill Woods and Pomperaug Woods have been extremely helpful with both the seniors and children’s programs. The Southbury Volunteer Fire Department Women’s Auxiliary has been extremely helpful in buying several winter jackets for the children on the list.
The Southbury Needy Fund operates on a year-round basis providing emergency services to Southbury residents when there no other sources available. Sandy Saren, the Town of Southbury’s Social Services Director, provides referrals to the Fund for the ongoing assistance and for the Christmas gift program.
As in the past, 100% percent of the money and gifts collected go to the families in need and all administrative services are donated.
