Attached is a press release summarizing the strong support given the April “Socks and Undies” community drive conducted by the Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church. We thank you for the support YOU gave by helping publicize this successful event.
From: Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church
10 Church Street, Gloucester MA 01930
Telephone: (978) 283-3410; Email: info@GloucesterUU.org
Date: April 30, 2021
MEDIA RELEASE â FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
UU CHURCHâS âSOCKS AND UNDERWEARâ DRIVE
NETS AN OUTPOUIRING OF COMMUNITY SUPPORT
A drive by the Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church to provide new socks and underwear to Cape Ann families and individuals far exceeded expectations, collecting 424 pairs of socks and 345 pieces of underwear and more than $550 in donations to buy additional undergarments.
The beneficiaries of the April campaign are children who attend Pathways for Children preschool or after-school programs, and adults who are guests at the Grace Center, a day shelter and counseling program that the downtown Gloucester church hosts.
âWe had socks with kittens, socks with camouflage, athletic socks, fuzzy socks and baby socks,â Patricia Cronin, a drive volunteer, said, âI wonât mention unmentionables other than to briefly say that boxers and hipsters ruled the day.â
The church took on the challenge to meet a reality, cited by Pathways and Grace Center, that underwear and socks are often forgotten in clothing gifts to people in need. âIt must be an âout of sight, out of mindâ thing,â Jerry Ackerman, another volunteer, said. âThe result is that while outer clothing may be new, whatâs underneath may be literally on its last legs.â
âWe were all gratified and thrilled by this outpouring of care,â Rev. Janet Parsons, the churchâs minister, said.
Significant contributors included the âWeâre All In This Togetherâ Cape Ann movement created to build community spirit during the coronavirus pandemic, and two local businesses, Nelsonâs of Gloucester and The John Tarr Store in Rockport. The two shops acted as collection points for donors and offered discounts on purchases made for the drive. Dozens and dozens more childrenâs socks also were given by Carol Leeâs Cottage, on Bearskin Neck in Rockport.
Cash donations came from as far as Lowell, Lexington, Bedford, Cambridge and Worcester, some apparently made in response to publicity in the Boston Globe as well as Cape Annâs 1623 Studios, the Good Morning Gloucester blog, and print media.
âAlso, a resident of the Gloucester ARC group home on Washington Street donated,â Holly Tanguay, co-president of the Gloucester UU Church board of directors, said.
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Good Morning Gloucester 