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Newton Neighbors Helping Newton Neighbors Care Packages

Newton Neighbors Helping Newton Neighbors

DONATE A CARE PACKAGE WITH ENTERTAINMENT ITEMS & BOREDOM BUSTERS FOR A NEWTON SENIOR OR CHILD IN NEED!

SEND A MESSAGE OF HOPE

Forced inside by the Coronavirus pandemic, members of the Newton community are still finding ways to reach out to their neighbors and friends to share messages of hope. Children put teddy bears in windows and we see rainbows popping up across the city and sidewalk chalk messages encouraging people to stay strong and stay inside. There are more ways you can help! Donate a care package to a Newton resident in need!

WHO WOULD I BE HELPING?

While Newton has a reputation for being an affluent suburb, statistics show that 1 out of 8 households in our city survive on less than $25,000 in annual income and 11% of Newton schoolchildren live in poverty. Newton Neighbors Helping Newton Neighbors, a Facebook group that was formed to connect community members to support one another and share resources during the Coronavirus pandemic, is sponsoring an effort to provide entertainment care packages to residents living in Newton public housing. In particular, seniors who have been self-isolating and young children (ages 5 and under) who need to be entertained and are not currently served by the Newton Public Schools. These groups have the least access to ways to keep engaged during this difficult time.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

NNHNN is partnering with the Newton Housing Authority to distribute these care packages to those in need. The Newton Housing Authority provides a high standard of affordable housing to Newton’s diverse population of more than 1300 residents.

In partnership with a number of local retailers who are creating these entertainment-oriented care packages, NNHNN is connecting members of the community who want to donate them to Newton residents who are the most vulnerable during this difficult time. We see this as an opportunity for you to help those in need while also supporting beloved local businesses in the hopes that it will enable them to stay afloat while closed to physical business.

Participating local businesses include:

WHAT DO THE CARE PACKAGES INCLUDE?

Care packages for seniors include items such as adult activity books (coloring books, crossword puzzles, sudoku and trivia), embroidery and cross stitch kits as well as “cheer” items such as tea, honey and trinket dishes. Care packages for kids include items such as picture books, puzzles, games, art activities, educational toys and craft project kits.

HOW CAN I DONATE A CARE PACKAGE?

Care packages are $50 and can be purchased online by clicking on the link to the local business website. Your purchase will be delivered directly into the hands of a Newton senior or child living in Newton Public Housing. Join us to support our community and send a message of hope to a Newton resident in need!

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