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Just a Tiny Sample
The Putnam Rotary Club collected more than 70 games in a couple short weeks. Dec. 7 TEEG and the Putnam Family Resource Center came to collect them for the kids they serve. From left: Liz Perry of TEEG; Rachael Johnston, chair of the club’s Holiday Giving Committee; Chelsea French of TEEG; Club President J. Scott Pempek; Rotarian and committee member, Rande Chmura; and Shannon Haney of Putnam Family Resource Center. Linda Lemmon photo.
Club collects
piles of games
By Linda Lemmon
Town Crier Editor
Generosity trumps virus-laden times, yet again.
The Putnam Rotary Club’s Holiday Giving Committee collected from fellow Rotarians and friends, games for children who might not have much of a holiday.
And in a couple short weeks, the committee collected record-breaking 70-plus games, according to Committee Chair Rachael Johnston.
Dec. 7 the club invited TEEG and the Putnam Family Resource Center to pick up huge stacks of games so they can give them to Santa in time for the holiday. Johnston thanked the rest of the committee and fellow Rotarians for their help.
J. Scott Pempek, president of the club, said “It’s always a heartwarming feeling when we can brighten the lives of others.”
The games span all age groups. The Holiday Giving project has been collecting games or blankets and more for a few years. It’s a great replacement for the club’s longtime Yankee Swap Chelsea French, TEEG’s Community Program manager, said some 247 families are being helped. TEEG’s Winter Wonderland on Dec. 18 will be filled with everything from toys to pajamas to personal hygiene items for those in need — from kids to families to senior citizens.
Shannon Haney, parent educator at the Putnam Family Resource Center in Putnam, said so far 95 Putnam families have signed up “but we always have last-minute signups.” The center, too, helps Putnam families with as many needs as possible, not just toys.
French and Haney were joined at the Rotary meeting by Liz Perry, program assistant at TEEG. Good thing because their vehicles were packed with games when they left.
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