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| AGAWAM Members of the Agawam Junior Women's Club (AJWC) recently gathered at club member, Aileen Semanie's Feeding Hills home to participate in a workshop making blankets for Project Linus. This year 19 blankets have been donated so far. Project Linus was started in Denver, CO by Karen Loucks to supply "security" blankets to kids going through chemotherapy. The organization has now expanded to about 300 chapters it the U.S. and worldwide. The Springfield chapter began in 2000, and the blankets are supplied to Baystate Medical Center, Shriner's Hospital, Ronald McDonald House and Brightside. At Shriner's Hospital, a blanket might make its way to a child from Mexico who arrives at Bradley airport in the middle of winter with only his summer clothes. The kids at Ronald McDonald House may not be undergoing any medical treatments but have siblings who are the healthy kids can sometimes feel a little lost and their Project Linus blankets services as a "hug" to remind them that someone is thinking of them. At Baystate Medical Center, the blankets are used in the pediatric unit as well as the newborn unit. The blankets there are given to kids who need a "snuggly" or to babies who are going home with mothers who have very little in the way of clothing and supplies for their newborn. Brightside is an adoption agency and a residential program for children who have been removed from abusive situations. The Project Linus blankets go in the "welcome baskets" for the newly adopted babies. The children, ranging from very little right up to teenagers, in the residential unit are so happy to receive a blanket that they can call their own and maybe brighten up their little space in the dorm. The AJWC encourages any interested women to learn about the Agawam Juniors', Project Linus or any other program benefiting the community to please contact our membership Chairman, Ann @ 786-4900. *** Agawam Juniors Continue with their Holiday Baskets Tradition Turkeys, hams, boxes and boxes of food, donated toys and clothing for children, and hours of preparation all add up to the Agawam Junior Women's Club's (AJWC) Holiday Baskets Project. Feeding Hills and Agawam residents will see drop-off boxes at selected locations marked Holiday Baskets for the Agawam Junior Women's Club annual collection of food and toys provided to families in need. Last year, due to the overwhelming generosity of local residents, The Agawam Juniors were able to deliver 56 baskets to seniors and families along with clothing and toys for 92 children. The club hopes to continue those efforts with the continued support of local businesses, residents, and children. The AJWC asks that while shopping for your own dinner please consider purchasing extra items for the Holiday Baskets Project such as "holiday" type non-perishable, canned or dry goods including: canned vegetables cranberry sauce gravy stuffing mix instant potatoes. Residents who may wish to donate a grocery certificate for a turkey or ham, may call Theresa at 786-6515. The Agawam Juniors also sponsor clothing and gifts for needy children. If you would like to sponsor a child or children, please call Theresa at 786-6515. One way to brighten the holidays this season would be to provide much needed school supplies or movie certificates as gifts for the older children. *** GFWC Agawam Juniors host Breakfast with Santa and Mrs. Claus The Agawam Junior Women's Club will again be sponsoring its annual Breakfast with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Dec. 4 is the date to mark on your calendar. Agawam Middle School is the place. Breakfast will be served from 9 - 11:30 a.m. Pancakes, sausage, juice, milk, coffee, and tea will be priced at $4 for adults and $2.50 for children under the age of twelve. Tickets will be available at the door. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be available to visit with children, their families and friends. Youngsters will have an opportunity to be photographed with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Children can also personally deliver their Letters to Santa. Please be sure to include each child's return address for a personalized letter with encouraging words, good cheer, and holiday wishes in reply. The Agawam Juniors will again be holding their "hot toy" raffle during the Breakfast allowing one child to win this year's in-demand prize to take home that day. The popularity of this toy is based on Santa's wish list, of course. Donations of non-perishable canned goods for the AJWC Holiday Baskets collection will also be accepted at the door. The Agawam Juniors are known for their many projects and programs concerning the well being of families. The Agawam Junior Women's Club is a member of the General Federation of Women's Club of Massachusetts, Junior Membership. Call Ann, Membership Chairman, 786-4900, for more information on joining this group of women who try to make a difference. |