Community donation night has another powerful success
At the second monthly community donation night tables overflowed with donations while volunteers set up for over 100 people to receive. (Photo by Catherine Sasso)
NORWICH – Last night Norwich Helping Hands held another successful community donation night at the Norwich YMCA.
The night began with cars lining up in the YMCA parking lot to donate items such as food, clothing, cleaning products, toiletries, toys, diapers, bedding, reading glasses, and more.
Before the doors were opened to the public, Event Coordinator Lorri Race addressed the volunteers by saying, "Please just make everyone coming in feels welcome and encourage them to come back next month."
Over 50 volunteers aided in the set up, distribution of products, and clean up. Some volunteers spent the night running hot chocolate to residents waiting outside in the freezing temperatures. Race stated that the number of volunteers doubled since the last event.
Volunteer Lexi Race said, "Even though it was freezing out, we still had so many people come through to receive. Also the amount of volunteers out in the cold loading cars, walking people out, greeting people in line, bringing them hot chocolate, it was really great to see. It really does bring the community together."
Residents were greeted as they first entered with homemade t-shirt bags to carry their items in. Tables wrapped around the entire community room of the YMCA over flowing with donated goods for residents to choose from.
One resident receiving items in the line stated, "There is so much good stuff here and everyone is so nice. I'm so happy this is going to be a regular thing now."
At the end of the night volunteers took their own turn walking through the line collecting any items they might need.
"This is for everyone," says Race, "there are no qualifications for being able to receive, and no judgement."
The community donation night will take place from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on the third Thursday of every month at the Norwich YMCA.
The night began with cars lining up in the YMCA parking lot to donate items such as food, clothing, cleaning products, toiletries, toys, diapers, bedding, reading glasses, and more.
Before the doors were opened to the public, Event Coordinator Lorri Race addressed the volunteers by saying, "Please just make everyone coming in feels welcome and encourage them to come back next month."
Over 50 volunteers aided in the set up, distribution of products, and clean up. Some volunteers spent the night running hot chocolate to residents waiting outside in the freezing temperatures. Race stated that the number of volunteers doubled since the last event.
Volunteer Lexi Race said, "Even though it was freezing out, we still had so many people come through to receive. Also the amount of volunteers out in the cold loading cars, walking people out, greeting people in line, bringing them hot chocolate, it was really great to see. It really does bring the community together."
Residents were greeted as they first entered with homemade t-shirt bags to carry their items in. Tables wrapped around the entire community room of the YMCA over flowing with donated goods for residents to choose from.
One resident receiving items in the line stated, "There is so much good stuff here and everyone is so nice. I'm so happy this is going to be a regular thing now."
At the end of the night volunteers took their own turn walking through the line collecting any items they might need.
"This is for everyone," says Race, "there are no qualifications for being able to receive, and no judgement."
The community donation night will take place from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on the third Thursday of every month at the Norwich YMCA.
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