CUMMINGTON — The Village Closet, a donation center for free baby, children’s, and maternity supplies, recently surpassed $100,000 worth of items distributed for free to local families.
“We are blown away over how quickly we have gotten here,” said Mollie Hartford, co-executive director and home-visit program director for It Takes a Village. “This is just since we opened the Berkshire Trail Elementary School in January 2016.”
Hartford said that Village Closet, which is managed by the Hilltown nonprofit organization It Takes a Village, had previously been located in a private home. Since moving to the former school at 2 Main St., the organization has been able to display all of its items, has room for gatherings, and can provide ample parking, all of which has greatly increased their accessibility.
Hartford said that the group has had close to 2,000 families visit the Village Closet.
“In the beginning we had people coming from Cummington and Ashfield, but as word has spread, we have given away items to people in Athol, Springfield, Holyoke and the Berkshires,” she said. “One person comes regularly from Brookfield, but she says the drive is worth it.”
The Village Closet carries clothing in sizes from newborn through teen, and maternity and nursing clothes for mothers, as well as infant bath tubs, strollers, high-chairs, baby swings, and often furniture such as rocking chairs, cribs, changing tables and linens.
The idea is that people will pick up the items they need, and then bring them back for others to use as their children’s needs change.
Hartford said that most people that use the services of the Village Closet are happy to “pay it forward” by returning equipment to the organization.
“This gets items out of their house when they no longer need them, into the hands of other families in need, and keeps it all out of the land fill,” Hartford said.
The group also provides feeding items such as baby bottles, infant formula and nursing supplies, and a large selection of cloth and disposable diapers and wipes.
In addition to the practical items, families also find support at the Village Closet through ongoing social gatherings like “moms with mugs,” and various programs like “Parent Summer Cafe & Curious Child Program” that will run in July and August.
It Takes a Village will also sponsor several educational opportunities for parents, including a free talk on July 10 about family sleep issues with sleep expert Beth Grams Haxby.
The Village Closet is supported by the United Way of Hampshire County and Baystate Noble Hospital. The Parent Support and Education Program is supported by the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation, the AKC Fund, and the United Way of Hampshire County.
For more details about the Village Closet, its events or programs, visit: www.hilltownvillage.org and the It Takes a Village Facebook page.
WORTHNGTON — Residents in Worthington are gearing up for their big 250th celebration with festivities starting next weekend.
On Friday, June 29, the town will host a party at the Town Hall with musical entertainment beginning at 5 p.m. Bands include Pete McClean & Mike Ingram, Berkshire Mountain Boys, Old Country Road and Jim Kaminski. A potluck dinner will take place at 6:30 with music and dancing continuing until 11.
On Saturday at 10 a.m., a parade led by grand marshal state Rep. Stephen Kulik will feature music, entertainers, floats, classic cars, animals, celebrities, clowns a stagecoach and more.
After the parade there will be a cookout provided by the Worthington Congregational Church, musical performances, classic car and fire truck displays, a petting zoo and pony rides, and activities for children.
Musical guests on Saturday will include The Marriam Massaro and Ghia Orchestra, Mary Whelan, Laura Wetzler, Sarah “The Fiddler” and Bannish Misfortune.
There will be a large arts and crafts show at the Town Hall on Saturday and Sunday and food trucks will be available on both days of the weekend.
For more information visit: worthington250.com/events
GOSHEN — Celebrate the summer solstice at the Three Sisters Sanctuary on Saturday with live music from the band Radiolaria.
Musicians in this seven-member group hail from all over New England and New York, and their original music includes lyrical and jazzy ragtime elements, rock, reggae and tribal dance grooves.
This is the sanctuary’s first live musical event of the season. The event goes from 6 to 10 p.m. Entrance $15 per adult, and children under 12 are free. If this is a hardship you may pay what you can afford.
Ideas for this column on life in the Hilltowns can be sent to Fran Ryan at: Fryan.gazette@gmail.com