The season of giving is upon us and many New Fairfield and Sherman residents have raised a hand to generously help their neighbors. The Social Services staff in each town are carefully planning and coordinating donations to help make sure that dozens of families have a happy holiday.
In New Fairfield, each donated gift is being carefully wrapped and food items are being assembled into baskets. While in Sherman, the staff is collecting gift cards that are suited to each family’s needs.
It is not too late to take part in this heroic effort to bring cheer–in Sherman, stop by the Social Services office to become a gift card “shopper” by choosing a numbered card, hand-drawn by Sherman Social Services Director Lynne Gomez, from a Christmas Tree just outside of the office. Be sure to fill out a form that is handily adjacent to the tree. The Shopper Form allows Social Services staff to track purchases and ensure that all eligible families are set for the holidays. Each card contains ideas for gift card purchasing, from Kohls to Walmart and beyond. In New Fairfield, simply purchase a gift card and contact Cindy White (see below) to schedule a time to drop off.
The ideal timeline will have purchases dropped off to both town’s Social Services Departments in mid-December.
The Social Services staff members are so appreciative of the generosity in both towns—all year round with grocery and gas gift cards, plus food pantry items—but especially at this time of year. Entirely anonymous and altruistic, these gifts go a long way toward helping families have a joy-filled holiday season.
New Fairfield’s Food Pantry can always use donations and typically welcomes practical foods, but at this time of year, they would love to offer plenty of splurge items, such as holiday candies and cookies. Items can be dropped off at the Food Pantry (in New Fairfield’s Senior Center) on Mondays and Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Fridays, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
The holidays are a wonderful time to give, but donations are also welcome all year long. Food pantry donations tend to decline in the warmer months. There is also an ongoing opportunity to give and receive funds for emergency fuel sources. Any residents who are interested in donating—or who need help—can contact Cindy White in New Fairfield at 203-312-5669 or Lynne Gomez in Sherman at 860-354-2414 ext. 2.
By Sarah Opdahl