BCAC Seeks Sponsors to Provide Winter Clothing for Berkshire Children
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — For some, winter is a time for snow-covered landscapes, cozy nights by the fire and outdoor activities. For others, the colder months bring additional financial burdens as families struggle to afford necessities such as winter coats, boots and warm clothing.
The Berkshire Community Action Council's Elf Warm Clothing Program works to alleviate that burden by connecting children in need with community members willing to lead collection initiatives or purchase warm winter clothing for the drive.
According to the council's website, last year, it served more than 2,300 children across Berkshire County.
Those interested in sponsoring a child will receive the chid's age and clothing sizes to purchase a winter coat, boots, gloves or mittens, and a hat. Donations can be dropped off at a BCAC office by arrangement.
For more information or to sponsor a child, contact BCAC at 413-418-3685 for Pittsfield and Central Berkshire or 413-663-3014 for Northern Berkshire.
For 15 years, state Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier has partnered with BCAC by soliciting donations for the program, helping match approximately 50 children each year with donors who provide the clothing needed to stay warm.
"The growth in the need is unbelievable," she said.
"When I see the need growing and the community rises up to meet it, that's the part that makes me so proud to be part of this community."
Those interested in donating can also connect with Farley-Bouvier on Facebook or call her office at 413-442-4300.
BCAC provides her with a number of children in need, whom she then matches with community sponsors willing to purchase the winter clothing they need, Farley-Bouvier said.
Farley-Bouvier issued a call for donations to the community through Facebook on Wednesday, and within the first 12 hours, had reached 25 percent of their goal, she said.
The program's impact extends beyond providing children with warm clothing, Farley-Bouvier said, highlighting its benefits for school attendance, family finances and community involvement.
Having appropriate winter coats and boots can improve school attendance and allow children to participate in outdoor activities during the cold or snowy months, she said.
"We want kids to be out playing outdoors, even when it's cold. That's very important," she said.
When Farley-Bouvier was a special education teacher, she observed the impact not having winter clothing had on those students.
"It's heartbreaking" having to tell kids they couldn’t go outside because they didn’t have a coat or the right kind of coat for the weather, she said.
It also provides financial relief to families, allowing them to use their limited finances on other necessities such as food, Farley-Bouvier said.
The program also benefits donors, many of whom look forward to participating each year. Some have made it a family tradition, taking their own children shopping to purchase winter clothing for a child in need, she said.
When Farley-Bouvier first took office, she was drawn to the warm clothing program because she understood firsthand the expense of purchasing new winter coats each year for her own growing children.
"My relationships with BCAC has just given me a view into what the needs of the community are," she said, pointing to other programs the nonprofit has, particularly its heating assistance program.
"There are people who are in great need, and we have programs to be able to bring some level of relief to people," Farley-Bouvier said.
She also pointed to the organization's weatherization programs, which help improve home energy efficiency and reduce heating costs.
"They're just involved in so many parts of the community. I mean, every county is federally mandated to have an anti-poverty program, and they serve the whole community," Farley-Bouvier said.
"Obviously, I'm more connected to the Pittsfield folks, but I have observed how they serve the entire county, and they do it in such a way to reach the maximum number of people."
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