Cape Ann Kids Holiday Fund
A new community tradition of caring
The Cape Ann Kids Holiday Fund, a collaboration between Action, Inc., Pathways for Children, and Wellspring House, will launch on October 1st, 2022. The fund focuses on helping to ease the financial burden of the holidays for families living on Cape Ann (Gloucester, Essex, Ipswich, Manchester, and Rockport).
In response to COVID restrictions, these Cape Ann non-profit organizations launched the Cape Ann Kids Holiday Fund in 2020. Rather than hosting the traditional toy drive, cash donations are collected and used to purchase gift cards. The cards will be distributed to eligible families who register online to buy holiday gifts for children in their care.
This format promotes public safety and provides caregivers the opportunity to select gifts that will bring their children the greatest joy.
“The holidays should be a time of joy and wonder for every child. For families struggling financially, the season becomes one of increased stress, anxiety and often, sorrow. Choosing between paying necessary bills or providing your child with some holiday cheer is a very real and demoralizing choice many must make. The Cape Ann Kids Holiday Fund is a way for our community to band together to help lighten the load our local families are carrying” says Eric Mitchell, President & CEO of Pathways for Children.
“We are proud to once again partner with Pathways and Wellspring on behalf of the Cape Ann community in support of the Cape Ann Kids Holiday Fund,’ says Peggy Hegarty-Steck, CEO of Action, Inc. “2022 was another year of uncertainty and challenges for Cape Ann residents, and this fund hopes to remove a little bit of the hardship families face at the holidays. This project is not only a collaboration between our three agencies, but the joint effort of hundreds of generous community members.”
“Over the past two years, we have learned from hundreds of parents that they experience additional stressors when planning for the winter holidays. Time and again, mothers and fathers have shared how important it is for them to be able to purchase that special gift for their children,” said Melissa Dimond, President and Executive Director of Wellspring House. “Action, Inc., Pathways for Children and Wellspring come together with the intent to time our community drive and distribution in early December to make it as easy as possible for families to prepare for the holiday season. Being able to show local moms, dads, caregivers, and children that their neighbors have collectively raised $125,000 to make their families’ holidays brighter is an invaluable gift.”
With so many families struggling with financial instability, program organizers from Action Inc., Pathways for Children, and Wellspring House anticipate the need in the community will be as great, and perhaps greater in 2022 as in prior years. Beginning October 1st, both donations and applications for support can be found online at www.capeannkids.org.
About Action Inc.
The mission of Action Inc. is to build an equitable and resilient community by creating opportunities for all on Cape Ann. Action Inc. offers programs that bring positive change to people’s lives, including affordable housing, homelessness prevention, fuel assistance and energy efficiency programs, and job training and education. We also advocate locally and nationally for policies that will advance and strengthen our community. Visit actioninc.org to learn more.
About Pathways for Children
Pathways for Children provides full-day, year-round education, support, programs, and activities for children and families impacted by economic and social inequality. Our programs serve more than 2,500 individuals from North Shore communities every year. www.pw4c.org
About Wellspring House
Wellspring inspires families and adults on the North Shore to achieve employment and financial security through stable housing, education, job training and career readiness. We help parents secure a safe, affordable place to live while looking towards the future. Our strategic partnerships with local schools, colleges, employers and peer organizations help young adult and adult students attain skilled jobs with wages that cover a true cost of living. We aim for long-term change. www.wellspringhouse.org
