Nov. 9—Nearly three dozen local human services agencies are expected to take part in The Day’s 17th annual Make a Difference campaign in the coming weeks that aims to help individuals and families in need as the holidays and winter weather approach.
Each year starting in mid-November, The Day publishes daily short stories outlining specific situations and needs of families or individuals in the region and how people can donate to help. The series will begin on Monday, Nov. 18, and will run through mid-December, with information submitted by agencies that work directly with the families.
The campaign has generated strong interest each year from donors who feel touched by reading about their neighbors who have fallen on tough times due to job loss, medical issues or any of a myriad of emergencies.
The briefs do not identify the individuals or families, but provide general information on their needs and how to contact the agencies providing services.
Agency leaders have told The Day that they have received overwhelming response to requests, and the donations go directly to the families in need.
“For our organization, the donations we receive from ‘Make a Difference’ absolutely help a family during difficult times,” Tricia Cunningham, executive Director of Always Home, a nonprofit that helps prevent homelessness, told The Day last year. “But what is truly special about The Day’s campaign is that people read about someone’s story, about their personal struggles, and are inspired to make a real impact by providing direct assistance to those who need it most.”
Last December, Always Home requested help for an ailing grandmother who cares for her three grandsons. Their apartment had just been condemned due to mold.
The Arc Eastern Connecticut sought help for Rusty, a young man with intellectual and developmental disability who lives with his uncles on a fixed income in a trailer home.
The family received blankets, clothes, and gift cards for food, as well as gift cards to Dunkin’ Donuts, “Rusty’s favorite place on earth,” said Denise Tift, director of community outreach for Arc. There was enough money donated to buy Rusty a new iPad to replace Rusty’s broken one.
“We have the kindest supporters in the entire region,” Tift told The Day.
Any interested human services agencies that have not participated in the Make a Difference campaign in the past should contact reporter Claire Bessette at c.bessette@theday.com no later than Friday, Nov. 15.
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