Mary Johnson and Debbie Puchalski spent part of a September Wednesday organizing colorful children’s clothing together in the Franklin County Fairgrounds for Warm the Children.
The two retirees high-fived and grinned as they completed their work — a meticulously organized table of thermal underwear and pajamas, sorted by size and gender.
They are two of the many volunteers who showed up to help set up Warm the Children, a community partnership that raises money then purchases and gives away children’s winter clothing.
Puchalski is in her third year helping at the event, but it’s Johnson’s first.
She’s in her first year of retirement from Northfield Elementary School where she taught second grade. Every year, her class sold popcorn as a fundraiser for the charity. Now that she’s without the classroom, she’s volunteering as her contribution this year.
Being around many young children for so many years gave her a look at how many children go without in Franklin County.
“When you work with kids for 30 years, you run into lots of families that are in need,” she said.
The Recorder raises money each year through community donations. Once the donations are collected, Wilson’s Department Store purchases the children’s clothing and anti-poverty agency Community Action finds families who would benefit the most from the clothing.
The event comes together every year during three shopping days where the families are scheduled to come pick up what they need and are assisted by volunteer shoppers and additional volunteers who help set up the shopping center at the Franklin County Fairgrounds.
For volunteers like Johnson and Puchalski, there are many different ways to assist with Warm the Children.
About 75 volunteers total help the setup, shopping days and takedown days. The volunteers are organized through Wilson’s. Debbie Daly, a buyer at Wilson’s who organizes Warm the Children, said they are flexible with volunteer schedules and those interested in helping don’t have to commit to all three sessions. Some volunteers just help with setup or takedown, and some just volunteer during the shopping days.
Daly said there is a variety of jobs, varying from more manual labor during the setup, to assisting families during the shopping days.
“In terms of skill, there’s plenty of jobs for everybody, and there’s always something to do,” she said.
Daly said that even though volunteers’ schedules are flexible, it always works out and they have more than enough help to get through the event with ease.
“Volunteering is a joyful thing,” she said. “Although we’re working, we’re giving back, and it’s community-based.”
The Recorder is carrying weekly stories about the progress of this year’s drive and the people helping and helped over the next several weeks. If you have stories to tell about Warm the Children or are planning fundraisers, let us know so we can help promote them by contacting Miranda Davis at 413-772-0261, ext. 280 or mdavis@recorder.com.
To donate to Warm the Children, send a check to: Warm the Children, c/o The Recorder, P.O. Box 1367, Greenfield, MA 01302. New clothing may also be dropped off at The Recorder, at 14 Hope St., any time during the year.