Neighbor News
Volunteers Pack “Blessing Bags” at MLK Day of Service Event
West Suburban YMCA and The Second Step host MLK Day of Service Event attracting over 130 volunteers
Newton, MA – Over 130 volunteers attended a Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service event at the West Suburban YMCA on January 20, 2020. The service event was a joint project between the West Suburban YMCA and The Second Step, with the goal of packing “blessing bags” for families and individuals who have been affected by domestic violence.
Volunteers of all ages gathered at the Y and packed 175 blessing bags filled with toiletries, hygiene items, and cold weather accessories. Items for the bags were collected during the 4 weeks leading up to the event on MLK Day.
“MLK led the civil rights movement, and a lot of that was based in just recognizing the humanity in other people,” said Mimi Sperl, volunteer and education coordinator at The Second Step. “For some people, the donation of toiletries is amazing because they don’t have anything when they’re starting over, moving into a new place, restocking their closets.”
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The two Newton non-profits have received positive feedback about the event, and hope to continue their partnership and expand the event next year to reach even more households.
“We can’t do it alone,” added Jack Fucci, president and CEO of the West Suburban YMCA, “and in the spirit of MLK, we need to do it together and move forward together.”
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About the West Suburban YMCA
The West Suburban YMCA is a charitable non-profit organization that has been a fixture in the Newton community for over 140 years. The Y is committed to strengthening the foundations of the community by supporting youth development, healthy living and social responsibility for all.
About The Second Step
The Second Step is a community of survivors, advocates, and volunteers who foster the safety, stability, and well-being of those who have experienced domestic violence. The Second Step provides comprehensive services, including safety planning, legal advocacy, counseling, peer support, transitional housing, and other essential services to adults, youth, and children in Greater Boston and MetroWest.
