Community Generosity Keeps Kids Warm

Media Advisory

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - December 11, 2019 Contact: Ellen M. Ganley, WCAC Director of Development

508 762-9807 or EGanley@WCAC.net

Community Generosity Keeps Kids Warm

WCAC Annual Coat Drive critical for families in need

Worcester, Massachusettts - Each year WCAC undertakes a Coat Drive in order to provide new winter coats to all of the children enrolled in the agency's Early Head Start, Head Start, and Healthy Families of Southern Worcester County programs, as well as for the children of the teen parents enrolled in the agency's Job & Education Center. More than just a new coat, the program is intended to alleviate the burden of purchasing a new coat for our vulnerable families, while preventing children from getting sick, missing school and thus causing parents to miss work or school themselves. WCAC is most grateful for the strong community and corporate support we receive each year for this program.

Longtime supporter of the program Karen Kazmierczak, National Grid Manager of Capacity Planning said, "Keeping children in our communities warm, one coat at a time. Together we made a difference." Employees of National Grid donated nearly 100 new winter coats.

MAPFRE Insurance in Webster 'adopted' all twelve of WCAC's Head Start classrooms this year, donating more than 200 new winter coats. " Our employees look forward to thisi program every year to help make the cold, winter days a little warmer for children in our communities," said Linda Johnson, MAPFRE Insurance assistant vice president of Corporate Social Responsibility.

"WCAC is fortunate to have such strong community partners who recognize the struggle so many households with young children are facing," said WCAC Executive Director Marybeth Campbell. "Their generosity is remarkable and makes a real difference both to the children we serve and their families."

Additional support for WCAC's 2019 Coat Drive for Kids was provided by AllCom Credit Union, Berkshire Bank, and workhuman of Framingham.

About WCAC

Since 1965, the Worcester Community Action Council has served as the federally designated anti-poverty agency for central and southern Worcester County, with a mission of helping people move to economic self-sufficiency through programs, partnerships and advocacy.

Serving the City of Worcester and 45 neighboring communities of Auburn, Blackstone, Boylston, Brimfield, Brookfield, Charlton, Clinton, Douglas, Dudley, East Brookfield, Hardwick, Holden, Holland, Hopedale, Hubbardston, Grafton, Leicester, Mendon, Milford, Millbury, Millville, Monson, New Braintree, North Brookfield, Northborough, Northbridge, Palmer, Oakham, Oxford, Paxton, Rutland, Shrewsbury, Southbridge, Spencer, Sterling, Sturbridge, Sutton, Upton, Uxbridge, Wales, Warren, Webster, West Boylston, West Brookfield and Westborough.

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