Andy's Attic to Help Needy Teens

As teenagers everywhere get ready to go back to school—and back-to-school shopping—one local mother thinks it’s the perfect time for them to clean out their closets and donate some of those extra clothes to their peers in need.

“It’s a good time, with everybody doing their school shopping and cleaning out their clothes, to go through closets,” said Lisa Reese, who established a nonprofit organization this year that collects clothing for needy teenagers in Shrewsbury and surrounding communities.

Reese said she started Andy’s Attic in May in memory of one of her two sons, who was a junior at when he was killed in a last December at age 16.

“Andy was a very thoughtful caring boy,” she said. “He was just friendly. Everybody liked him.”

The organization, which Reese operates out of her home, reflects Andy’s personality.

“Andy always wanted everybody to be given the same fair chance and he didn’t like it when somebody was excluded or left out,” she said, adding that Andy’s Attic “does focus on underprivileged kids and that was one of the things that bothered Andy.”

While the organization has collected “a whole roomful of clothes and shoes already,” and is expanding into a second room in her home, Reese is hoping a fundraiser this weekend will help to collect even more.

A will be held from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at Shrewsbury Town Hall. The goal is for the organization to provide new and gently used clothing to needy teenagers, starting with this new school year. Reese said there is still a need, especially, for more of the larger-sized clothing (XL and up) for both girls and boys.

Teenagers who need these items can contact someone at their school who, in turn, will contact Andy’s Attic.

“The school nurse or the psychologist or a social worker could contact me and give me the name and the gender of the person and then I package up a week’s worth of clothing and we deliver it,” Reese said, adding that the process is anonymous since the organization never learns the person’s last name or where he or she lives. “Anybody who calls with a need, we will support.”

In addition to clothing and sneakers, Andy’s Attic will also accept monetary donations to help pay for new socks, underwear and clothes in sizes that the organization may not have in stock.

Saturday’s fundraiser will also include a bake sale, a book sale, and a display of cheeses and butters from the Vermont Butter and Cheese Creamery.

Those who are unable to attend Saturday’s event can help by sending monetary donations (payable to Andy’s Attic) to Andy’s Attic, c/o Lisa Reese, 8 Alden Ave., Shrewsbury, MA 01545; or by emailing info@andysattic.org to arrange for a time to drop off clothing. Collections are ongoing, according to Reese. The organization also hopes to receive prom dresses, men’s formal wear, shoes and accessories.

For more information, visit www.andysattic.org.