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Public asked to help in two holiday campaigns

Date: 12/8/2010

Dec. 8, 2010

By G. Michael Dobbs

Managing Editor

CHICOPEE -- There are two efforts taking place in Chicopee to try to make the holidays better for those in need.

Last week, Mayor Michael Bissonnette announced the city's Fire Local 1710 would be collecting clothing, bedding, toiletries and personal care items for Soldier On at every fire station and the City Hall through Dec. 10.

Soldier On is a non-profit organization based in Leeds that provides homeless veterans with housing, counseling and training.

The mayor said the idea came from union President Howard Beaudry's father, a veteran, who learned of the work Soldier On is doing.

According to Soldier On officials, there are 125,000 homeless vets who are not living in shelters. Bissonnette said that 80 percent of the current military personnel come from low-income families that do not have access to many support services. When they return to civilian life, many go from a highly structured environment to one with little structure and have difficulty with the transition.

Bissonnette added he is now speaking with Soldier On about opportunities to collaborate.

Among the items sought for the campaign are men's and women's used clothing in good condition, underwear and thermal underwear, socks, hats, gloves, socks, pillows, sheets, blankets, towels, wash cloths, shower shoes, toothpaste, shaving cream, toothbrushes, tissues, soap, dental floss, phone cards, postage stamps, paper, pens and non-perishable food items.

The other effort to help people at Christmas is taking place at the Bayberry Quilt and Gift Shop on Sheridan Street. Owner Laura Knapp is selling her stock of sample quilts, wall hangings and table runners and will donate 20 percent of the proceeds to Toys for Tots.

Knapp explained the items are the samples she and her instructors prepare for each class. They rang in price from $30 for table runners and wall hangings to $165 to $250 for quilts. She noted all of the quilts are from new fabrics and ares machine washable.

She said this is the first time she has undertaken a fundraising campaign for Toys for Tots.



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