January 5, 2008 - CHARITABLE DONATIONS WILL KEEP CHILDREN WARM THIS WINTER - National Grid, Worcester Community Action Council, Inc., and the Worcester Regional Transit Authority Partner to Keep Children Warm

With the temperatures continuing to drop and the snow beginning to accumulate, WCAC recognized that many of the children in the agency’s 20 programs were without appropriate winter clothing--specifically coats and shoes. National Grid, WCAC Board members and staff, the WRTA, and anonymous donors businesses put forth amazing efforts to respond to this need.

This past November, one of WCAC’s board members anonymously donated 26 new winter coats for the children of WCAC’s GED students. The young parents were overjoyed by the donation and were amazed at the generosity of the board member.  

At the same time, WCAC Board Member and National Grid Manager at the Customer Contact Center in Northboro, Nancy Concemi, spearheaded a coat drive to collect new coats for children in WCAC’s Head Start/Early Head Start in Southbridge, Healthy Families of Southern Worcester County, and Worcester Community Connections programs. National Grid employees donated 106 new children’s winter coats, which were delivered to WCAC’s Worcester office last week. Concemi said, “The outpouring of support from the employees at the Contact Center at National Grid was overwhelming. Even with the economic trouble we are in, everyone pitched in what they could to make this successful. I am proud of the employees that pulled together to make this such a huge success.”

The Worcester Regional Transit Authority contributed 7 coats, hats, and mittens to assist in the effort. “The WRTA staff—like WCAC staff—serve thousands of customers and were eager to participate in clothing children whose parents didn’t have the means to help this year,” Stephen O’Neil, WRTA Administrator, said.

Complementing this drive, WCAC staff and board members have donated over forty pairs of shoes for program children that were most in need. Shoe donations continue to arrive, and the agency expects to donate more than 50 pairs of shoes to children this winter. New board member Dale Allen and store owners David and Toni Trehey of Sportstuff, Springfield, MA partnered to donate several pairs of shoes.

Jill Dagilis, WCAC Executive Director, said, “These donations could not have come at a better time after last week’s winter storms and with the upcoming holiday season. On behalf of WCAC, I want to sincerely thank staff and Board members, National Grid, and the WRTA for their generous contributions to and support for our customers.”

The Worcester Community Action Council, Inc. (WCAC) is the largest anti-poverty agency in Central Massachusetts and annually serves over 71,000 families and individuals. WCAC’s mission is “to stimulate change in the fundamental causes of poverty and to create and provide opportunities for economic self-sufficiency through services, partnership, and advocacy.”