WH Library 'Kindness Project' Collects Items For Needy

WEST HARTFORD, CT — The holiday giving season kicks off Monday, Nov. 14, at West Hartford libraries as a month-long collection campaign for the needy begins.

Starting Monday, the West Hartford Public Library will collect donations for those in need between Nov. 14 and Dec. 16 at all library building locations as part of the library's sixth annual "Kindness Project."

Inspired by the book "Wonder" by R.J. Palacio — a story of learning to show compassion and kindness toward others — the children’s department at the West Hartford Public Library created the "Kindness Project" in 2017 to help children and adults in the community.

The program has grown each year.

In 2020, the library collected more than 3,500 personal hygiene items and last year, 4,000.

Donations can be dropped into specially marked boxes at all three West Hartford Public Library locations.

The library is looking for the following items: laundry detergent; dish soap; Lysol wipes; individually wrapped rolls of toilet paper; feminine hygiene products; soap/body wash; shampoo; toothpaste/toothbrush/dental floss; deodorant; and diapers.

Donations will be delivered to the West Hartford Food Pantry and Fern Street Universalist Church as part of its backpack program.

Event organizers ask that all donated items be new and unopened.

For more information on what to donate, go to bit.ly/kindnessproject2022.

Library locations collecting items are:

• West Hartford Public Library; 20 S. Main St., West Hartford; 860-561-6950 or whpl@westhartfordct.gov.

• Bishops Corner Branch; 15 Starkel Road; West Hartford; 860-561-8210.

• Faxon Branch; 1073 New Britain Ave., West Hartford; 860-561-8200.

For more information on the Kindness Project, click on this link.