November is a time to remember to be thankful. Our stewards at United Way of Western CT, along with our volunteers, donors and recipients, can attest to that. Our annual Stuff the Gazebo event in New Milford demonstrates this on many levels. Whether it’s a young child dropping off cans of vegetables, a family donating items together, a group like Jazzercise of New Milford and the Children's Center of New Milford delivering items from their food drives, or an anonymous donor dropping off a truck load of food - they all feel good about impacting someone's life and giving back to their community.
Over 260 families received Thanksgiving baskets this year filled with turkey, bread, bakery items, and all the non-perishable items needed for a traditional holiday meal. The recipients come from various backgrounds including a single mom raising two children and working two jobs, a dad supporting his disabled wife and three children, a grandparent raising her grandchild, and a family struggling to pay their bills. Each recipient has a unique story and is very thankful for our generosity. Many families tell us that with the money they would have used to pay for this food, they’re able to pay for another critical household bill.
A local mom describes her challenges in this way: “As we approach the holiday season, Thanksgiving and Christmas can add tremendous stress and financial burden for my family. The Thanksgiving basket is wonderful and helps us put that money that may have been spent on purchasing this savored traditional meal and use it to pay against other living expenses. No one really wants to feel the sense that they are worthless because they don't have all the luxuries as the next. So each day I am thankful for what I have and the support of others; their kindness is special and so are they.” She went on to say, “Each day is a constant struggle, but the resources and generosity of people who donate to United Way programs is phenomenal. The back to school program is like Christmas in August for my children. The smile on their faces is truly priceless.”
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