Ashland Emergency Fund

Quietly providing hope to those in need.

Since 1987 the AEF has been Ashland’s behind-the-scenes, private place to which those in need have been able to turn for help.

Holiday gifts will continue

By Theresa Freeman/ Daily News Staff

Wednesday, November 8, 2006

ASHLAND -- Although the department's budget and hours have been cut since July, Youth and Family Services is working hard on its annual holiday drives.

Non-perishable food is being collected for Thanksgiving meals, and food, clothing and toys are being stockpiled for Christmas gifts. The department is looking for donations of food, new toys and new clothes or cash to buy the items, said Youth and Family Services Director Susan William. This year's budget cut William's hours by 20 percent, forcing her to reduce office hours and reduce some programs.

"You need to make the best with what you've got. Anything less would be a disservice to the community," William said of the department's cutbacks. Just before Thanksgiving, the families receive boxes containing meals "with all the fixin's," such as pumpkin pie mix, cranberry sauce, stuffing and turkeys, William said. Similar meals will also be given as gifts to families in December, with new toys and clothes for children, she said.

This year, because of time constraints, the department had to be more stringent with its holiday drives' application deadlines, William said. This year, 107 children from 51 families will receive Christmas gifts, down from the 135 children from 64 families helped last year. This year, 44 families will get Christmas food baskets, while last year 52 families received baskets. This year, 45 families will receive Thanksgiving food baskets, although 50 families got them last year, William said. "We give every child a new outfit, including jeans and a top, as well as new toys, a book, hat and mittens," said William. The department is also looking for volunteers to help during the "give-away" days, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. The Thanksgiving pick up is Nov. 21. The Christmas dates have not been set yet.

Several partner organizations help with the drive, William said. The Marines Toys for Tots program provides most of the children's toys, the Salvation Army provides the holiday dinners and the Ashland Emergency Fund gives away last-minute items the department did not receive during the drive. An anonymous donor supplies the Thanksgiving turkeys. Ashland Youth and Family Services runs the Ashland Food Pantry and a variety of other programs including a referral service, juvenile court diversion program, fuel assistance, Happy Birthdays For All, Healthy Smiles and screening for the Ashland Emergency Fund (www.ashlandemergencyfund.org).

"When a client comes in we try to see what services they need, so we can get them really connected. The key is follow-up," said William. "Usually problems don't come in individual packages."

For more information on the holiday drives, or any Youth and Family Services program, call 508-881-0140 ext. 18.

(Theresa Freeman can be reached at 508-626-3919 or tfreeman@cnc.com.)

You can Donate Now through The Network for Good or donations can also be sent directly to The Ashland Emergency Fund, P.O. Box 112, Ashland, MA 01721.

For more information on volunteering or donating, contact John Ellsworth at 508-881-3404 or Youth and Family Services Director Susan Gauvin at 508-881-0109 ext. 18.