Nov 8, 2007 4:19 pm US/Eastern
Need For Holiday Donations Rising With Fuel Costs
by Ron Sanders
WORCESTER (WBZ) ―
With fuel costs skyrocketing and home foreclosures rising, more and more local families are looking for help as we approach the holidays. In the words of one Worcester County agency director, "the need this year is staggering... It's scary."
"They have to make a choice. Do I save my home or do I buy toys for my child?" said Anita Burdick of the Oak Hill Community Development Corporation. "In addition, you have the price of oil going up. Do I heat my home or buy my children toys?"
That's where the Marines, marking the 60th anniversary of their
Toys For Tots campaign, and their army of volunteers come in.
"What we have seen is when things are at their toughest, and what we've noticed in Worcester County, is people are really answering the call," said Major Rick Tremble of the U.S. Marine Corps.
Last year, families of 6,000 children in Central Massachusetts were served by Toys For Tots. This year the agency is on pace to shatter that number.
"We have over 100 applications," Burdick said. "That's probably a record. We usually do about 25 applications in our first week."
The story is similar at the
Worcester County Food Bank whose network of agencies are serving more than
30,000 people, an eight percent increase in the first quarter.
"What we sense is happening is people are having to seek assistance more often than they have in the past," said Executive Director Jean McMurray.
Both McMurray and Burdick hope the increase need will be met by increased donations.
If you would like to help you can visit the web sites below.
Worcester County Food BankToys For Tots - Central Mass.
(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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