This past week, Action Inc.’s Project Uplift provided gifts and clothing for 738 Cape Ann children in need through its annual holiday toy and clothing drive.
For the last 25 years, Project Uplift has been an important resource for families during the holiday season. With the high cost of basic necessities such as food and housing, many are unable to meet the financial demands that come along with the holidays. Action Inc.’s staff and board, its volunteers, and the generous community helped alleviate some of that stress for 358 local families.
Action Inc. partnered with businesses, organizations, and individuals throughout the Cape Ann community to collect and distribute toys, clothing, and gift cards to struggling families at our Project Uplift “pop-up shop,” where parents could select the items their child would love most.
The success of Project Uplift is due largely to the generosity and compassion of the Cape Ann community. Action Inc. is extremely grateful to the more than 50 local businesses and organizations who acted as toy donations sites, as well as dozens of volunteers and donors who have brightened the lives of Cape Ann parents and children this holiday season. Thank you to Marcy Pregent and the Montagnino Family for the donation of space for our pop-up shop. A very special thanks goes to Sen. Bruce Tarr, Jan and Bob Tyler Nelson, North Shore 104.9, Cape Ann Savings Bank, and the Lyon Waugh Auto Group for their continued support of Project Uplift through the North Shore Holiday Toy Drive held on December 14th.
Action Inc.’s Executive Director Peggy Hegarty-Steck, Bob Tyler Nelson, Senator Bruce Tarr, and Jan Tyler Nelson with a truck full of donated toys in Essex.
Along with the countless individuals who donated toys to collection boxes throughout Cape Ann, Action Inc. would like to thank the businesses, organizations, and clubs who served as collection sites, as well as the private donors who gave to Project Uplift: ABC Home Healthcare Professionals, Addison Gilbert Hospital, Allie’s Beach Street Café, American Legion Post 3, Andrew Silva and Miriam Silva Preas, Ashley and Jon Simrak, Avgenia Rooney, Bank Gloucester, Bass Rocks Golf Club, Beauport’s Santa at Sea Cruise, BNI Lighthouse, Bob and Geraldine Herrick, Brian Eddy, Cape Ann Art Haven, Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce, Cape Ann Moose Lodge, Cape Ann Savings Bank, Carol K Steele Insurance Agency, Carpenter & MacNeille, Citizens Bank, CK Pearl, Coldwell Banker Gloucester, Cricket Press, Daniel Dennis and Company, Dean DeCoste and the Gloucester Fire Department, Deborah O’Malley, Denis Flavin and Halibut Point Restaurant, Dolce Vita Salon, Eileen Murphy and Eileen’s Alterations, Essex Elementary School, Essex Police & Fire Depts., Essex Town Hall, Extreme Truck & Auto Center, Farm Bar and Grille, Fireflies Boutique, First Congregational Church of Rockport, First Congregational Church of Essex, First Ipswich Bank, Frontiero Law Office, P.C., Gloucester City Hall, Gloucester Healthcare (formerly Golden Living Center), Gloucester Rotary Club, Gorton’s, Grace Hanrahan, Grace Numerosi, Howard Frisch, Jen Arvilla, John McCarthy and the Gloucester Police Department, June Wulff, Kathleen Piaggesi, The Kwedor Family, Lil Sprouts, Liz Fragola, Manchester Town Hall, Mark Lex and Cindy Gerstl, Market Basket, Mary Ann Johnson, Mike Skoog, Nancy Robb, National Fish and Seafood, Nor’East Cleaners, Norman MacFarland and the Friends of Spruce Road, North Shore Bible Church, Patricia D’Alelio, Renee and Bill Metterville, Rockport Harbormasters Station and the Massachusetts Harbormasters Association, Rockport Music and the Shalin Liu Performance Center, Rockport Police Association, Rockport Police Station, Rockport Town Hall and Annex, Rose Baker Senior Center, Santander Bank, Sea Meadow Design, Seacoast Nursing and Rehab, SeniorCare’s RSVP Warm Friends, TOHP Burnham Library, Tuck’s Candy Shop, Wellspring, and Woodman’s Restaurant.
The dedicated staff and board of directors of Action Inc. donated several hours of their own time to help organize Project Uplift, as well as several community volunteers including: Andrea Guelli, Ashley Simrak, Brandan Noble, Carol Pallazolla, Chandra Wilson, Christine O’Donnell, Diane Amero, Eileen Murphy, Grace Edwards, Grace Hanrahan, Grace Numerosi, Heidi Jackson Dean, Jackie and Mary Colussi, Jeanine Finn and Tony D’Antonio, Julie and Jim LaFontaine, Kate and David Roach, Kelly Kwedor, Kim McKay, Landmark School, Linda Moore, Lindsey Egan and Casey Sherril, Lindsey Pierce, Mark Lex and Cindy Gerstl, Melissa and Bill Cox, Meredith Cooney, Patricia Guimaraes, Rose Giambanco Floyd, Stephanie Smith, Tory Mazurowski, and Sue and Dave Howard.
Without the participation of these individuals and groups, Project Uplift would not succeed. The kindness, effort, and generosity put forth by the people listed here help make our community a better place for all.
