Local business owners getting involved during the holidays
Published on November 28th, 2007
STONEHAM, MA - Two Stoneham merchants hope to give one time down-and-out locals a little boost as they start anew.
According to The Book Oasis owner Debbie Sullivan and Ginger Catalani, of Gay's Flowers and Blossom Shop, they have both decided to take up the cause of the Mission of Deeds, Inc. charity this holiday season.
In particular, the two business owners are hoping to raise cash donations for a bed and mattress drive being conducted this year by the non-profit, which helps provide furnishings for individuals and families moving to new apartments.
"The beds are their biggest need," said Sullivan, explaining that the agency hopes to purchase 780 to 800 matresses and box-springs for those who would otherwise have to sleep on the floor of a new apartment. "There's that many kids and families sleeping on the floor just in Middlesex County."
"It's for families who are coming out of homeless situations who are going to new apartments. But there are no furnishings," Catalani explained. "Every year, they run their campaign for beds and they hope to raise $78,000."
Most of those receiving assistence from the Reading charity are attempting to re-establish a self-sufficient lifestyle after falling victim to personal tragedy, whether because of financial constraints, a devastaing fire or other disaster, or other challenging circumstance.
More than half of those served by the agency are mothers and children, many who have lived in homeless or battered women's shelters.
According to the two Stoneham businesswomen, each of whom tries to donate to one local cause each year, they both learned about Mission of Deeds through a co-worker or regular customer.
The book store proprietor, who has already sold a few placards for the charity, hopes to raise a minimum of $250 for the Reading organization. However, Sullivan is holding out hope that her ambitious goal to raise enough money for 10 beds - approximately $1,000 - is realized.
At first, Catalani set her sights on collecting enough donations to buy 40 to 50 beds, but she too is planning on raising at least enough money to purchase 10 sets.
"I was told that goal was very high. But I'm going to try. We have some good employees and we're going to try real hard. I don't think it's unrealistic," the florist said.
"If we could get $1,000, we could buy ten beds," Sullivan commented. "That would be quite a chunk. So we hope to have at least one window covered."
Founded in 1993, the Reading based Mission of Deeds provides household goods and furnishings to more than 4,000 families and individuals in Middlesex and Essex counties.
Formed by Winchester resident and businessman Anthony Triglione, the organization provides assistence to senior citizens, battered women, the homeless, and other families who lost their homes and are now attempting to regain control of their lives.
Among other items, the charity collects furniture, linens, pots and pans, glassware, and other fair condition household goods that can furnish an empty apartment for those starting anew.
According to Catalani, she was particularly attracted to the charity for many reasons, including the fact that Mission of Deeds, Inc., with only four workers, is virtually a volunteer-only charity.
That organizational structure guarantees that a majority of cash donations go straight to those the non-profit intends to serve, as opposed to other popular charities where only 10 percent of a contribution actually goes towards the cause, due to top heavy administrative costs.
"For me, when people try to help themselves, I'll bend over backwards for them," Catalani explained. "And I think that is what's different about this [charity]. You're not just helping someone who's down and out, you're helping someone start a new life."
According to Sullivan, who was drawn to Mission of Deeds, Inc. because it serves local residents, she has also made a committment to help Stoneham youth through the Salvation Army toy drive.
Also sponsored by B.J.'s Wholesale, the local toy drive enables residents to meet a specific child's Christmas or holiday season wish by purchasing a gift requested by that youngster.
Interested donors can either speak with Sullivan at her store or travel to the B.J.'s store, where an angel decorated tree lists each of the local requests.
"We have an angel tree at B.J.'s in Stoneham, which is full of specific wishes from Stoneham kids. And we will have a box at the Christmas tree lighting [on the Town Common] next week," the book store properietor said.
According to Sullivan, who will keep the box in her store, generic kids items can also be donated as part of the toy drive.
Among other items, Sullivan suggested that interested donors consider purchasing coloring books and crayons, socks of all sizes, winter wear, family games, basketballs and footballs, books for all ages, and blankets, pillows, and comforters.
To make a cash donation to Mission of Deeds, visit either Main Street's Oasis Book store or Gay's Flowers and Blossom shop along Spring Street. Donations, whether cash or actual household furnishings, can also be made to the Reading charity. For more information, call 781-944-9797 or logon to www.missionofdeeds.org.
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