GoLocal Worcester’s 2014 Non-Profit of the Year: The Friendly House
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Wednesday, December 31, 2014
Patrick Sargent, GoLocal Worcester Contributor
Friendly House has been part of the Worcester community for 94 years. As one of the few nonprofits that voluntarily pays taxes to the city, the neighborhood center assists Worcester residents with housing, food, immigration assistance, affordable after school programs, summer programs and it's Youth Hoop basketball program. For all of these reasons and more, GoLocal is proud to name Friendly House as the 'GoLocal Worcester 2014 Nonprofit of the Year.'
"Friendly House has been doing wonderful work for decades. Their daily and weekly educational and athletic programs have helped so many children and families," said Gary Vecchio, President of Shrewsbury Street Neighborhood Association. "Every holiday season, hundreds and thousands of needy children are given toys and gifts, while families are given food."
Friendly House: A Pioneer of Social Services
Back in 1920, the Friendly House opened as a small three-room settlement house on Norfolk Street in Worcester, under the sponsorship of the Worcester Civic League. Today, Friendly House occupies 36 Wall Street and offers assistance with food, shelter, job searching and resume help.
On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, Friendly House runs a food pantry and even offer gluten-free options with a one week notice.
During the holiday season, Friendly House is also the home of a large, and well-run, food service program and food drive. This summer, Friendly House sponsored 34 summer meal sites and was awarded a $3,000 grant from Project Bread to expand its sponsorship.
As reported by GoLocal, the Sheriff's Food Drive at Friendly House fed 2,000 families in the Worcester Area. "This is the most food we've ever seen in all the years I've been here. This year, rather than just only giving a turkey, we have provided whole meals," said Gordon Hargrove, Executive Director of Friendly House. Hargrove has been at the Friendly House since 1957.
Gordon Hargrove: A Leader for Over 50 Years
Gordon Hargrove (right) with Sheriff Lew Evangelidis at the 'Heart of Gold' event honoring Hargrove
In June, Hargrove was honored at an event called 'Heart of Gold.' The event honored Hargrove's 50 years of service to the Friendly House.
"Friendly House has been a constant fixture in Worcester for decades. Through the efforts of Gordon Hargrove, its CEO, the organization has reached out to help 1000's of children and adults in need and to this day continues to make a difference in the lives of many," said Worcester School Committee member John Monfredo.
Hargrove joined Friendly House in 1957 and signed on as its first full-time Program Director in 1965. That year, Friendly House received its first grant from the Office of Economic Opportunity. The grant provided social services to 2,000 residents. By 2010, Friendly House was giving assistance to 25,000 people annually.
How You Can Help
Individuals or organizations looking to help Friendly House in its efforts, please visit: Friendly House Donations.The organization is always looking for volunteer help and through its social services program could greatly use donations of gently used clothing, toys, household items, diapers, baby items and non-perishable food.
"Friendly House has been doing God's work for decades. GoLocal Worcester could not have selected a more deserving organization as its 2014 Nonprofit of the Year," said Vecchio.
Monfredo said, "Congratulations Friendly House may you continue to your fine work in this community for another 50 years."
Related Slideshow: 30 Ways To Give In Central Mass This Holiday Season
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Donate gift cards, new toys, and new clothes; personal care items such as soap, shampoo, washcloths, toothpaste, toothbrushes, feminine products, and disposable diapers; and canned goods for December holiday food baskets.
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Donate tickets to sporting events, theatres, and movies; specialty food items, health and beauty items; kitchen essentials; gift baskets; and gift certificates to grocery stores, pharmacies, and department stores.
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Donate new toys, games, and books for children of all ages; grocery store gift cards for holiday food baskets; gifts for teens such as movie passes, music, gaming gift cards, and personal care items; and gift cards to clothing and shoe stores to purchase gifts for children and teens. Adopt a family and provide gifts for Christmas. Call for details.
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Donate gift cards to local grocery and discount stores; board games; craft supplies; sports equipment and balls; and other small gift items suitable for children.
Contact: Melanie Perreault (508) 752-7868 ext. 14
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Donate holiday gifts for children ages 5 – 18 including gift cards for teens to purchase items such as movies, music, and clothing; grocery store gift cards to purchase holiday meals for families in need; and wrapping paper and supplies such as bows and cards. Adopt a family for the holidays and provide gifts. Call for details.
Contact: Liz Hamilton (508) 754-2686
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Donate new toys, books, clothes, outerwear, boots, and gift cards for boys and girls ages 4 – 18; gift certificates for movies, bowling, and other activities; non-religious holiday decorations and gift-wrap; and food for Thanksgiving and Christmas meals.
Contact: Anna Berin (508) 853-6988
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Donate new winter coats, gloves, mittens, and hats for adults and children; gift cards to pharmacies, grocery stores, and discount retail stores; and non-perishable food donations.
Contact: Cynthia Taberner (508) 860-2206
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Donate gifts for homeless children of all ages and new household items for more than 80 homeless families including sheet sets, blankets, pots and pans, dishes, silverware, and gift cards to discount and grocery stores. Gifts for teens especially needed.
Contact: Katherine Kerr (508) 791-7265
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Donate gift cards for discount and grocery stores that will be distributed to needy families during the holiday season to be used for food, clothes, and gifts.
Contact: Karen Ludington (508) 459-6424
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Donate winter hats and gloves and gift cards to discount stores, grocery stores, and fast food restaurants.
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Donate new coats, hats, gloves, and mittens for children, adolescents, and adults of all sizes. Donate new board games and gift cards in denominations of $10 – $25.
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Donate toys and other items for children ages 10 – 18. Items for teens especially needed.
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Donate gift cards for male residents: sheets and blankets, toiletries, hats, gloves, and pajamas.
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Donate new items for newborns and mothers in need: baby blankets, toiletries, newborn undergarments, socks, bibs, infant equipment such as car seats, new maternity clothes, and gift cards for discount and grocery stores. Donate new items for immigrants/refugees such as gloves and mittens, hats, scarves, and home first aid kits. Donate new household items for homeless families including sheet sets, blankets, cooking utensils, pots and pans, and dishes.
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Donate small toiletries such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, and shampoo to be used as gifts for Meals on Wheels recipients.
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Donate gift cards to grocery stores to purchase items for a holiday meal; gift cards to discount stores; and children’s winter clothing including gloves, socks, and small-sized winter coats.
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(774) 245-5416
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Donate educational toys for children ages 1 – 12; gift cards and gift certificates; and household items such as bedding, pots and pans; personal hygiene products, and diapers.
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(508) 757-7506
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Donate coats for women, children, and teens; hats and gloves; books for all ages, journals, and gift cards to discount and grocery stores.
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Donate men’s and women’s clothing in all sizes (especially XL and plus sizes) such as sweaters, sweatshirts, sweatpants, jeans, underwear, and t-shirts; toiletries such as hairbrushes, makeup, shampoo, body wash, and lotion; inexpensive male and female jewelry items such as crosses, watches, and rings; games, cards, word search books, and other small gift items.
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Contact: Lynn O’Toole
(508) 635-3306
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Contact:
(508) 842-3663
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Donate linens and blankets, craft supplies, gloves, hats, scarves, and gift cards to pharmacy and grocery stores. Items donated to individuals with developmental disabilities.
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Contact: Stephanie Towne
(508) 852-6277
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Donate toys for children ages 2 and up including Disney toys, Dora, pretend food items, art supplies, model cars, blocks, and books; gift cards to toy and discount stores. Gift items for teenage boys especially needed.
Contact: Melissa Murphy
(508) 762-3205
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Donate navy blue blazers, white button down shirts, khaki pants, belts, and dress shoes for boys in sizes from boys’ small to men’s medium; sports equipment such as baseballs, soccer balls, and related items; art supplies and music equipment such as instruments, scores, and songbooks.
Contact: Patrick Maloney
(508) 799-0100
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Join us for our annual “Holiday for Heroes” campaign. Assist by reviewing, categorizing, and bundling holiday cards that will be delivered to veterans in Central MA. You would need to dedicate about three hours for this one-time seasonal event in early December. Call to schedule date.
Contact: Ray Duffy (508) 595-3762
[email protected]
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