Over the past five years, Melinda Chamberlain, the main receptionist at our Kittery office, has represented YCCAC in the annual local coat donation drive. This year, Melinda said, her Kittery office was “filled to capacity.”
In an email, Melinda wrote that she had received a large donation of new toys from the Kittery Holiday Basket program. “The timing was perfect,” Melinda continued, “as I was in touch with Kael Parker, of Springvale, to arrange donation of more than a dozen contractor bags filled with outerwear and the donated toys. The items would be distributed at St. George’s Church in Sanford over the weekend. Donations were made to Seeds of Hope in Biddeford, Berwick Methodist Church’s Clothing Closet, the Corner Cupboard in Sanford, YCCA Head Start family liaison, WIC families and local clients and their families.” Melinda said that a carload of clothes was also delivered to York County Shelter.
Melinda added, “This is one of the most rewarding parts of my job every winter. This year, the donations started to arrive in mid-October, and it is still going strong. To date, I have received over 1200 pieces of clothing alone. I truly love being a part of this. It is good for the soul.”