Hundreds of Area Children & Families Benefit from Holiday Giving

Community Care Alliance (CCA) acknowledges the tremendous generosity of foundations, faith-based organizations and businesses that have helped make the holidays brighter for hundreds of low income children and families. Donations included food baskets, toys, clothing, gift cards, special events and more. CCA is fortunate to be able to work in partnership with all of these caring organizations to help local children and families. Here are just some of the ways community members came together to provide for those in need this holiday season:

The Providence Journal Holiday Fund at the Rhode Island Foundation awarded a $7500 grant to CCA to purchase and distribute needed including toiletries, diapers, hats & gloves, socks for children, youth and teens. More than 120 children were served through this grant.

CCA coordinated the distribution of 269 food baskets for families in need. Baskets were provided by The Salvation Army, St. James Episcopal Church, St. Joseph’s Church, St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, St. John the Baptist Church, Slatersville Congregational Church, First Assembly of God, Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Church, Ocean State Church of Christ, Beacon Charter High School for the Arts, Harris Elementary School, Mt. Saint Charles Academy, and Woonsocket Elks Lodge.

The Woonsocket Rotary once again hosted the Annual Christmas Party for Woonsocket Shelter families that included a home cooked meal, gift cards, presents for children, music and other festiviities. Santa arrived on a fire truck, courtesy of the Woonsocket Fire Department, a delight for the 24 children and their families.

The New England Patriots Foundation provided an opportunity for 9 youth served in several of CCA’s programs to participate in their Gifts from the Gridiron holiday event. Each youth received a $400 gift card and was paired with a New England Patriot player or representative to shop for a winter coat, toys, and gifts for family members. This was the sixth year CCA youth have participated in this special event.

CCA processed over 950 applications for the local Adopt-a-Family Program that matches donors with children in need; over 1,985 Woonsocket children received holiday gifts/clothing through this program.

Several companies/organizations donated gifts and/or cards for more than 300 children who were not eligible for Adopt-a-Family due to age or geography. Donations were received from: The Salvation Army, Bank RI, Swarovski North America, West Rock, Amica, Café 900 and Lower Level.

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Navigant Credit Union provided 40 tickets to the Polar Express for children served through CCA’s child & family programs.

Care New England & Huron Consulting Group provided a generous donation of “wish list” items for over 40 adult clients in CCA’s residential homes as well as needed household items for the residential sites.

CCA extends its sincere thanks and appreciationto these generous partners who helped brighten the holidays for so many children and families.

Community Care Alliance is a multi-service non-profit health and human service agency whose mission is to support individuals and families in their efforts to meet economic, social and emotional challenges and enhance their well-being. For more information, visit www.CommunityCareRI.org