Chamber of Commerce hosts winter coats donation drive
December 14, 2018
By Tara Vocino
From left to right: Chamber of Commerce First Vice President Brian Davis, Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors Member Maria Valentini-Brito, Chamber of Commerce Secretary Kim Corless, Chamber of Commerce President Karen Gallo. At right are Chamber of Commerce Board of Director Members Maria and Steve Williams donated five Gap sweatshirts – two girls’, two boys’ and one unisex – at Friday’s Chamber of Commerce Christmas Party.
Councillor-at-Large Daniel Rizzo donated a My Life Sleepover Host Doll, a Pop-O-Matic Trouble game and a Rock ’Em Sock ’Em Robots game to Friday’s Chamber of Commerce party. The toys will go to children in need this Christmas.
School Committee Member Carol Tye and Carol Haney donated coats, boots, mittens and hats to complete an outfit during Friday’s coat drive.
From left to right: Police Chief James Guido, Santa and Coat Drive Co-Organizer/Ward 4 Councillor Patrick Keefe.
Shown druing the Chamber of Commerce Christmas Party at the Comfort Inn & Suites on Friday night are, from left to right: Police Chief James Guido, Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Wendy Millar-Page, Comfort Inn & Suites Director of Sales Polita Zambrano, Santa, Mayor Brian Arrigo and Chamber of Commerce President Karen Gallo. (Advocate photo by Tara Vocino)
Charles J. Weber Jr. and Arete Pascucci display what they donated to needy children on Friday.
Coat donor Councillor-at-Large Steve Morabito posed for a photo with Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors Member Steve Williams during Friday’s Chamber of Commerce Christmas Party at the Comfort Inn & Suites.
Resident Mary Turner donated boys’ and girls’ blue and purple coats, hats and gloves to needy children at the Chamber of Commerce Christmas Party on Friday night at the Comfort Inn & Suites. At right is Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Wendy Millar-Page. (Advocate photos: Tara Vocino)
Chamber of Commerce board members and residents donated new winter apparel and toys for needy Revere Public Schools students during the Chamber of Commerce Christmas Party at the Comfort Inn & Suites on Friday night.
“There are approximately 147 registered homeless/needy children in Revere, and that number is probably higher than reported,” Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Wendy Millar-Page said. “We try hard to make sure those citizens are part of our community and that we take care of each other.”
Coat donors Mary and Tom Turner said the reported number was higher than they thought, and they felt led to give to an overwhelming community need. “Because we are blessed and grateful, we are glad to help,” said coat donor Mary Turner, who gave blue and purple coats, hats and gloves to needy children.
Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors Members Maria and Steve Williams donated two boys’, two girls’ and one unisex Gap sweatshirt since they’re “in style.” “Because they don’t have a lot, it’s nice to donate something that they need,” Maria Williams said.
Coat Drive Co-Organizer/Ward 4 Councillor Patrick Keefe said they work with School Resource Officer Joseph Singer regarding who is eligible to receive winter apparel or toys. Once selected students are determined to be eligible, they give out the donations, no questions asked, so as to not make the recipients uncomfortable, according to Keefe.
“They don’t necessarily have to be homeless, but they’re in a tough spot,” Keefe said. “We see these kids walking to school in 10 degree weather with barely sweatshirts on.”
