Use this search box to find articles that have run in our newspapers over the last several years.
Date: 12/21/2022
LONGMEADOW – Throughout the month of December, the Richard Salter Storrs Library is accepting donations for its annual Giving Tree to benefit YWCA of Western Massachusetts’ domestic violence service providing shelter and counseling for women and children dealing with domestic abuse. They are in need of new and unopened clothes, toiletries, bedding, toys, puzzles, art supplies, books, backpacks, blankets and gift cards to Marshall’s, TJ MAXX, Target, and Walmart.
Director of Youth Services Carly Neville who is the organizer of the Giving Tree, said, “Every December, we do a Giving Tree event with different charities or local organizations. This year we chose the YWCA. I like their message. They’re supporting a lot of families in need, and we thought that was a really nice way to support the people going through a tough time.”
The YWCA has four residential programs and 24 community-based programs. The majority of their work deals with helping survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking and stalking.
“This is our first time collaborating with Storrs Library,” said Elizabeth Dineen, CEO of the YWCA of Western Massachusetts. “Carly Neville reached out to me a couple of weeks ago and I’m over the moon about it. I thank them for thinking of us and the women and children who we serve.”
Dineen told Neville that most of the women who come to the YWCA domestic violence shelters come with only the clothes they are wearing, and do not have time to pack belongings because it is not safe to do so. In order to get housing at the YWCA in their shelter, a woman has to be in imminent danger of bodily harm or death and that’s why they don’t have time to pack up all of their stuff or their children’s belongings. Either they drive there, have a friend or the police drive them, or they come from the hospital after they’ve been treated for domestic violence. That means the YWCA provides clothing, bedding, toiletries, food, everything for the women and their children during their stay. Dineen thought it was amazing that Neville selected them to partner with and asked what type of donations they would appreciate. Dineen suggested for the children toys, books, puzzles, and Legos, because they like to create things, and backpacks so when they leave the shelter the children have a way to bring some of the stuff they received there.
Dineen said, “The recipients are always so incredibly grateful and happy to know that people within the Western Mass. community support them and understand that it takes a lot of courage to walk away from a nasty domestic violence situation.” She went on to say, “They’re always really happy to know that people care about them and are supporting them as they go on this journey of healing.”
Neville added, “It’s so important to support people in our community, especially this time of year. You’re doing a lot of things with families and friends around. It’s really nice to think of other people in the community that you can help and support.”
Community members can bring items until Dec. 31. The Storrs Library is located at 693 Longmeadow St. and is open Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Fridays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The library will be closed Dec. 24 to 26 in observance of the Christmas holiday.