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Teens make up Easter baskets for others

By G. Michael Dobbs

Managing Editor



CHICOPEE - With two production lines going in the community room of the Chicopee Public Library, youthful volunteers were fulfilling a need to create over 300 Easter baskets for children living in Holyoke shelters this spring.

Over 30 young people did their part on the assembly lines, starting with empty baskets and finishing with plastic wrapping that gave the baskets a professional look.

Sylvia Horton, the young adult specialist for the library, explained to the Chicopee Herald that last year there was a request for about 50 Easter baskets and this year when a 300-plus number came in, she knew the project would have to involve an increased number of volunteers and support.

She said a flyer sent out by the mayor's office solicited donations of materials from the Park and Recreation Department, Saint Stanislaus's Junior High School Honor Society, First American Insurance Co. and the patrons and staff of the library.

The volunteers were members of the library's Anime Club who made origami bunny bookmarks for the baskets, the Cabot Manor after school program, the Teen Advisory Board and the Chicopee High Key Club.

Among the shelters receiving the baskets are Womanshelter/Companeras, Broderick House, Our Place and The Family's Place.

"It's good for the community to see teens doing something good for the community," Horton said.