Eric Smith, Fire Chief
8 School St.
Gloucester, MA 01930
For Immediate Release
Thursday, Nov. 17, 2016
Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net
Gloucester Fire Department to Collect Gifts for Toy Drive at Stop and Shop
GLOUCESTER — Chief Eric Smith announces that the Gloucester Fire Department will be out in the community next week to collect unwrapped gifts for its annual toy drive.
WHEN
Tuesday, Nov. 22 and Wednesday, Nov. 23
WHERE
Stop and Shop, 6 Thatcher Road
WHAT
The Gloucester Fire Department is hosting its 4th annual toy drive this month to benefit the Wellspring House’s holiday store.
A nonprofit organization located in Gloucester, Wellspring House offers temporary shelter for families in need, and works with residents on homelessness prevention, emergency shelter placement and securing long-term housing.
Every year, Wellspring sponsors a donor-driven holiday store to help low-income families provide gifts for their children. This year, the holiday store will be held Saturday, Dec. 10 and Sunday, Dec. 11.
To help make this event possible, the Gloucester Fire Department will be hosting a toy drive from Nov. 26 to Dec. 8, and are asking for new and unwrapped gifts to be dropped off at the Fire Station at 8 School St.
“We’re happy to be putting on a toy drive for another year to benefit a great cause,” Chief Smith said. “We’re very thankful to our residents for making such charitable donations over the years, and we’re honored to work with the Wellspring House to assist them with bringing joy to children during the holidays.”
Through donations, the holiday store allows Cape Ann families in need to purchase gifts for their children at a nominal expense: $2 buys three toys and one book per child. Last holiday season, Wellspring’s holiday store served 854 children from 394 families.
Additionally, the fire department is raising money to purchase toys for Wellspring. To make a donation, visit the department’s Go Fund Me page here. Checks can also be dropped off at the fire station and made out to Gloucester Firefighters Local 762.
For more information on Wellspring’s Holiday Store, contact Mary Hardwick at mhardwick@wellspringhouse.org, or call 978-281-3558. Residents can also drop of unwrapped gifts directly at the Wellspring House, 302 Essex Ave., from Nov. 28 to Dec. 7, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.
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