NORTHAMPTON — Many people adorn their doors with festive wreaths during the holiday season, and Care One is offering a new reason for the decorations.
For the second year the Northampton nursing home is organizing a benefit for the Sidney F. Smith Toy Fund, which gives local families in need vouchers to buy gifts for their children.
Care One provides the 24-inch plain wreaths and invited 40 local businesses, organizations and families to decorate them. Finished wreaths will be displayed at Care One at 548 Elm St. from Nov. 29 to Dec. 15, when there will be a reception from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. The wreaths will be raffled during the reception, which also includes music and appetizers.
Decorators “put their heart and soul” into the creative endeavor, Care One employees said.
“It is wonderful to be partnering with local businesses. The turnout to decorate the wreaths was phenomenal,” said administrator Katie Theriault. “It is great to be part of an organization that gives back to the community.”
The Daily Hampshire Gazette’s Sidney F. Smith Toy Fund provides certificates worth $40 per child, which are redeemable at participating local retailers to eligible families who can use them to buy holiday gifts at participating stores through Dec. 31.
Named after a former business manager at the Gazette, the fund began in 1933 to help families in need during the Depression. Today, the fund distributes vouchers to families for each child from age 1 to 14. Eligible families must live in any Hampshire County community except Ware, or in the southern Franklin County towns of Deerfield, Sunderland, Whately, Shutesbury and Leverett.
Berkshire Children and Families, at 220 Russell St. in Hadley, verifies families’ eligibility and the Gazette covers costs associated with the drive, freeing all donations to fund the vouchers. Most families who receive assistance are referred by social service agencies.
The following stores are participating this year: A2Z Science and Learning Store, 57 King St., Northampton; Deals & Steals, One Pearl St., Northampton; JCPenney, 341 Russell St., Hadley; The Toy Box, 201 N. Pleasant St., Amherst; Wilson’s Dept. Store, 258 Main St., Greenfield; Sam’s Outdoor Outfitters, 227 Russell St., Hadley; and Target, 367 Russell St., Hadley.
Donations to the Toy Fund may be dropped off at or mailed to the Daily Hampshire Gazette at 115 Conz St. in Northampton, 01060, or made online at www.gazettenet.com.
Checks should be made payable to the Sidney F. Smith Toy Fund.