YMCA partners with “Helping Hands” charity to solve community needs
(Zachary Meseck Photo)
NORWICH – The Norwich Family YMCA and Helping Hands are working together to provide local people in need with goods including fresh food, hygiene items, drinks, and clothing for free.
According to Norwich Helping Hands Director Lorri Race, the organization is comprised of a group of volunteers helping to bring hope to the community by providing donated goods to those in need.
Race held a presentation Wednesday night at an Improve Norwich Now meeting.
Improve Norwich Now (I.N.N.) is a locally-born initiative that focuses on enhancing its community by bringing organizations, businesses, and residents together to effect real change in Norwich and the Chenango County area.
At the I.N.N. meeting, Race said on the third Thursday of each month from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., Helping Hands will be at the YMCA community room passing out donated food and other goods for free. She said all are welcome to receive, and that the first free giveaway event will be held on January 16.
“Helping Hands is modeled after Street Soldiers which is a grassroots organization founded in Albany, NY in 2016,” said Race. “In the past three years it has grown to the Schenectady and Troy areas.”
She said preferably all items will be individually wrapped, packaged, and labeled with the item inside before arriving at the YMCA. She added that clothing items must be new or handmade.
“This was started about three years ago by three women that went for a Friday night walk,” said Race. “They walked through a park in Albany and they happened to come across some homeless people – didn’t think much about it and went home.”
“The next Friday they went for another walk, and one of them said, “I think when we go tonight, I would like to take some sandwiches to those homeless people.”
She said for the next three years the event blossomed, encompassing Albany, Schenectady and Troy.
“They do it weekly, and they have about 200 people go through their lines on that Friday night,” she added. “I was a teacher at the local jail, and I have been talking about the strong need in our community.”
“I went to Jen, [Westervelt from Improve Norwich Now] we got the ball rolling, and here we are.”
Race said she hopes local businesses and restaurants will support the event by donating food, and the more the community gets involved the better the event will be. Race thanked volunteers for their interest in the event, and said anyone can receive items from the event.
Those who wish to learn more about Helping Hands may visit its Facebook page, “Helping Hands Norwich” or email HelpingHandsNorwich19@gmail.com for additional information.
According to Norwich Helping Hands Director Lorri Race, the organization is comprised of a group of volunteers helping to bring hope to the community by providing donated goods to those in need.
Race held a presentation Wednesday night at an Improve Norwich Now meeting.
Improve Norwich Now (I.N.N.) is a locally-born initiative that focuses on enhancing its community by bringing organizations, businesses, and residents together to effect real change in Norwich and the Chenango County area.
At the I.N.N. meeting, Race said on the third Thursday of each month from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., Helping Hands will be at the YMCA community room passing out donated food and other goods for free. She said all are welcome to receive, and that the first free giveaway event will be held on January 16.
“Helping Hands is modeled after Street Soldiers which is a grassroots organization founded in Albany, NY in 2016,” said Race. “In the past three years it has grown to the Schenectady and Troy areas.”
She said preferably all items will be individually wrapped, packaged, and labeled with the item inside before arriving at the YMCA. She added that clothing items must be new or handmade.
“This was started about three years ago by three women that went for a Friday night walk,” said Race. “They walked through a park in Albany and they happened to come across some homeless people – didn’t think much about it and went home.”
“The next Friday they went for another walk, and one of them said, “I think when we go tonight, I would like to take some sandwiches to those homeless people.”
She said for the next three years the event blossomed, encompassing Albany, Schenectady and Troy.
“They do it weekly, and they have about 200 people go through their lines on that Friday night,” she added. “I was a teacher at the local jail, and I have been talking about the strong need in our community.”
“I went to Jen, [Westervelt from Improve Norwich Now] we got the ball rolling, and here we are.”
Race said she hopes local businesses and restaurants will support the event by donating food, and the more the community gets involved the better the event will be. Race thanked volunteers for their interest in the event, and said anyone can receive items from the event.
Those who wish to learn more about Helping Hands may visit its Facebook page, “Helping Hands Norwich” or email HelpingHandsNorwich19@gmail.com for additional information.
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