GREENFIELD — For as many nationally recognized charities as there are out there, the Yucavitch family of Northfield prefers to spend their money closer to home.
“I prefer to donate locally,” said Rhoda Yucavitch. “There’s a need in Franklin County for help.”
Yucavitch, who raised her three daughters in Northfield, said she has been donating to Warm the Children — the annual charity overseen by the Greenfield Recorder that helps to provide warm clothing for families in need — for at least the last 15 years.
She said she donates each year because the holiday season is always a particularly challenging time, and this year — with the COVID-19 pandemic — she imagines it’s even more difficult.
“I assume there’s a lot of people out of work, people with young children,” she said.
And helping young children, Yucavitch said, is something she feels strongly about.
“I want to help out the kids and people in town, and the organizations in town that donate to causes,” she said, noting that she also donates to other local organizations such as Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Regional Dog Shelter and the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts. “We’ve got some good programs in Franklin County.”
In Turners Falls, longtime donor Lenore Glaser said she feels fortunate she has the means to support Warm the Children.
“We’re lucky that we can do that,” she said, adding that as a parent whose children always had what they needed, she wanted to help out other families.
“There’s people out there that need (help),” she said.
Glaser, a retired elementary school teacher, said the increased need she’s heard about at local food pantries may be an indication that more families will likely be in need of assistance this year through programs like Warm the Children.
“The kids, they need it,” she said. “We know people who don’t have a lot of money, so they might get these things from them.”
Elaine Holden, who currently lives in South Deerfield after spending most of her life in Greenfield, has donated to Warm the Children for at least 20 years. She said she donated this year to keep with that tradition, and she will continue to donate in the years to come.
“It’s just something I do every year,” Holden said simply. “Maybe I thought there might be a few more families (in need), because of the coronavirus and the effect it has on people’s jobs.”
All three donors spoke to their desire to give local children a better holiday season.
“I just want to give the kids a warm winter and happy Christmas,” said Yucavitch.
Over the past few decades, the Warm the Children fundraiser has grown to provide new coats and clothes to 900 children from Franklin County and the North Quabbin region each year, raising approximately $90,000 to cover the expenses annually.
Traditionally, Wilson’s Department Store has partnered with the Recorder to order the clothes. However, with Wilson’s having closed earlier this year, the Recorder has partnered with Target to provide gift cards to beneficiaries. These gift cards, which have been provided to Community Action Pioneer Valley for distribution, can be used in store or online to buy clothing, according to organizer Pat Maleno, business manager for the Greenfield Recorder, Athol Daily News and Daily Hampshire Gazette.
Although the window for referrals or applicants to benefit has closed (which is done through social service agencies), anyone interesting in sending tax-deductible donations may address them to The Greenfield Recorder: Warm the Children at P.O. Box 1367, 14 Hope St., Greenfield MA, 01302.
Mary Byrne can be reached at mbyrne@recorder.com or 413-930-4429. Twitter: @MaryEByrne