​Holiday outreach program requesting early support this year

The Northborough Helping Hands Association (NHHA) has made significant changes to their Holiday Outreach program due to the impact of COVID-19. The organization is actively working on its Making Spirits Bright campaign for the 2020 holiday season. This year Christmas gift cards are being requested in lieu of fulfilling specific requests for toys and gifts. The changes were made to ensure the safety of their volunteers and all the families and senior citizens they serve.

NHHA is a service organization run by volunteers and relies on community donations to assist Northborough families in need through its various programs.

Gift Card Drive. The request for gift cards for the Christmas program is a full month earlier than in a normal year. Gift cards will be distributed at the time a traditional Thanksgiving meal is picked up by families in mid-November. Families will have ample time to shop for their children.

“We are so grateful for the generosity of this community,” said NHHA committee member Colleen Lupien. "With so many working, learning and worshiping remotely this year, the committee recognized that our holiday program would not be business as usual. We decided that gift cards would be the safest practice for our Christmas outreach this year. The challenge is asking people to think about Christmas in October.”

Senior citizens in need have also been an important part of the holiday outreach efforts of NHHA for the past ten years.

“The senior citizens helped make Northborough a great place to live and deserve as much holiday cheer as we can give,” said NHHA Senior Citizen Outreach program coordinator Kelly Killeen. “The support that we receive from the community is so heartwarming. We see the gratitude in the faces of the senior citizens who enjoy the holiday dinners and gifts that are donated.”

Winter Gear Drive. Also impacted is the winter gear drive, which for the past 12 years has collected over 500, gently used or new coats and boots each year. Families had the opportunity to go home with winter gear as part of the Thanksgiving meal distribution day.

This year 129 coat sponsors are needed. If you are interested in learning how you can help, email Coat Drive Coordinator Kerri Martinek at coats@northboroughhelpinghands.org.

“More than ever, kids need warm coats to get out of the house and just be outside – whether that means to walk, play, ride bikes or simply breathe the fresh air,” Martinek said. “In that regard, it’s not just about warmth, it’s about mental health. That alone may mean the most to me this year.”

Recipients of the Holiday Outreach programs are Northborough residents who are actively participating in an authorized social service program through the town. Last year, NHHA gave over 100 children and 200 adults a helping hand.

Questions can be directed to holidays@northboroughhelpinghands.org. Additional information on all programs can be found at www.northboroughhelpinghands.org and an easy link for online donations is available. Checks and gift cards may be mailed to Northborough Helping Hands Association, P.O. Box 383, Northborough, MA 01532. NHHA is a non-profit volunteer organization and a 501(c)(3) charity.