The holiday season for those in need will once again be made brighter, thanks to monumental efforts by Westerville Caring and Sharing (WC&S), an all-volunteer, charitable 501(c)3 organization with no paid staff, which reaches out to student/families in the Westerville City School District. If a Westerville pupil qualified for the free or reduced lunch program, they can be helped by WC&S. 100% of all donations benefit Westerville families.
WC&S served more than 725 Westerville students and their families during its 2015 Holiday Project. They are anticipating even more will apply for help during the 2016 Holiday Project, which serves Westerville children and their families and sometime a few senior citizens who may not otherwise receive any gifts. Each family also receives a food basket and donated personal hygiene and paper products. Only new merchandise is distributed at Christmas. The goal is to provide each child with items from their wish list and a gift card, when funds allow, to be used for clothing needs. There are numerous opportunities to “adopt” a child, sponsor a food drive or give a monetary donation.
Those in need of assistance this year can contact WC&S by leaving a message at 614/470-4320; sending an e-mail to WestervilleCaringSharing@gmail.com; or visiting www.Facebook.com/WestervilleCaringSharing. The final two family application packets give-out dates for the Holiday Project are November 8 and 9, from 5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., in the conference room of the Westerville Public Library, which is located at 126 S. State Street. These applications and wish lists must be returned to WC&S by November 23. Distribution day is Sunday, December 11. “Please remember those in need in our awesome Westerville community,” said WC&S President Barbara McCoy. “Each one of us can make a difference in some way!”