Massachusetts Federation of Republican Women - Winter 2005 Newsletter

Catch the Spirit

The Lower Cape Cod Club has an ongoing relationship with the Mary LeClair House that started over twenty years ago. The Mary LeClair House provides assistance and shelter for unwed mothers and their nchildren. Throughout the year, the Lower Cape Cod Club donates much needed supplies — blankets, clothing, disposable diapers, etc. and at Christmas, the club makes a special effort to provide gifts for residents of the Home. Last Christmas, the Club donated gifts of clothing to the mothers at the home. This year, the theme was "An Infant Chrisatmas" - since there are nine babies currently in residence.

The Middlesex Club has a similar program with the House of Hope in Lowell, which is a shelter for battered women and their children. State funds provide bedding and food; the Club donates paper goods and cash, with a special effort at Christmas.

In each of the past two years, the Winchester Club has initiated a Christmas Drive. In 2003, the Club packaged and sent over 1000 Christmas boxes to the military serving in Iraq. In 2004, the Club held its annual Christmas Tea, during which they presented a donation to the Angels of Mercy Group, an organization which provides assistance to military casualties during their convalescence and rehabilitation. Most of the soldiers receiving assistance are currently at Walter Reed Hospital.

The Worcester Club assembles "Mitten Trees" each year, which are decorated with mittens, warm hats, gloves and other winter accessories. The "Trees" are then distributed to places in Worcester that help lower income families. This year, the Club also participate in the "Adopt a Child" Christmas program sponsored by Y.O.U. Inc's. This is a non-profit organization that sponsors children for the State. The Group provides assistance with things like housing and education. For the Christmas Program, each child fills out a card listing the three gifts they would like to receive for the holidays. The cards are then distributed to groups like the Worcester Club.