Good morning and Welcome to Bobby’s World. I’m very excited to say that this week’s column is about an organization that started from the heart of a local Franklin County resident. True Christmas is a charity founded by Turners Falls resident David Shea.
When David and his family were homeless three years ago, living in the hotels throughout Greenfield, he saw something many of us don’t often see: very poor families who literally had nothing. After spending four months in the homeless shelter located at the hotel, David realized that Christmas was going to be very very slim for those he met. At that time, David and his family found a place to live in Oak Courts in Greenfield and he started the licensed nurse practitioner program at Greenfield Community College.
While David was in this intense, 10-month program, he began providing needy families with necessities to help make their Christmas a little bit brighter, including presents, dinners, Christmas trees and stockings.David is now in his third year operating True Christmas.
Last year, over 100 children received services through this wonderful organization. David also set up a True Christmas account with Greenfield Savings Bank to allow those who wish to give to make a direct donation to area children. True Christmas provides this service to children ages 1 month to young adults age 19. Often, it can be difficult to afford gifts for older teenagers. This program seeks to meet those needs.
David will have True Christmas donation boxes available at area businesses throughout Franklin County. If you know a business willing to host a box at their business, please reach out to David Shea directly at 413-824-4170 or email him at truechristmas.organization@gmail.com. Additionally, David is looking for volunteers willing to help fill orders and sort gifts. True Christmas will accept gifts until Saturday afternoon, Dec. 21. Our community is in need. No child should be without Christmas and your support is needed to make many Franklin County children smile on Christmas morning.
Please join me, as I will be helping David this year as well with his wonderful charity.
To that end, we will be running a True Christmas fundraiser on Saturday, Dec. 14 at the Orange Roller Skating Rink in the Orange Armory from 3 to 6 p.m. There, you can roller skate, see Santa Claus, enjoy music by me, D.J. Bobby C, a box of popcorn and a drink for $6 per person. Additionally, we’re asking all who wish to attend to bring a gift or a gift card for needy kids and teens. Owner Jolynn Novak is opening up the rink as a way to give back to the community and help True Christmas.
Halloween is next week
I also want to remind everyone about a wonderful event coming up on Halloween from 4 to 6:30 p.m. in downtown Greenfield — the 19th annual downtown trick or treating event and Rag Shag Parade. Trick or treating will happen until 5:30 p.m. Following, everyone will meet in the parking lot across from Freedom Credit Union for the parade, which will go up Main Street to Miles Street to the Energy Park for a costume contest and music by WHAI. At 6:30 p.m., everyone can walk to the Greenfield Garden Cinemas for the free showing of “It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown.”
Finally, this is your last chance to donate for our annual Thanksgiving dinner fundraiser. You can sponsor as many families as you’d like. Sponsorship is $50 per family. Each family will receive the following: 20-pound turkey, stuffing mix, potatoes, butternut squash, carrots, cranberry sauce, turkey gravy, rolls and apple pies.
Checks can be made payable to Bobby Campbell, P.O. Box 21 Bernardston, Massachusetts, 01337.
In the memo section, please write: “Thanksgiving dinner fundraiser 2019.”
Thanks for supporting our community and making a difference in people’s lives.
Bobby C. Campbell, a local D.J., has been connected to the community for a very long time. If you have an an idea, e-mail bobbyleslie25@gmail.com.