The true meaning of the holiday spirit is to give back. Here in West Haven, that spirit is alive and well as evidenced by a large variety of donations made to the West Haven Community House.
Each year, many individuals and local businesses conduct holiday drives collecting hundreds of toys, games, coats, hats, gloves and more.
The generosity of the business community, those working for the city, and individuals who just wanted to help overwhelmed longtime members of the agency staff, who have gone through many a holiday season. Some of the major donors iincluded Oyster River Energy, Shoreline Dental, Arti Dixson from JA Music LLC, Eder Bros, Our Lady of Victory’s community outreach center, Italian American Club Women’s Guild, West Haven Housing Authority, St. Lawrence, Z’s Corner Café and Donato Cappetta of Cappetta’s restaurant.
In addition, the Community House board members, friends and staff participate in an annual giving tree where donations of toys and gifts are collected and given out to families and adults in the agency’s programs.
“We are overwhelmed by the generosity of the West Haven community, and we wish to thank the many people and local businesses who make it a part of their holiday tradition to think of the Community House and the families we serve,” said Patricia Stevens, Executive Director of the Community House.
“It will make the children and families’ holidays so much brighter and happier. Our families are all struggling economically and to have this generosity of the community bestowed on them is so appreciated.”
The Community House is the cornerstone social service agency of West Haven providing services to thousands of families for more than 76 years by giving pre-schoolers from low-income families a “Head Start” in life and the educational foundation they need to be successful in school, ensuring that school-aged children have a safe, affordable place to be during out-of-school hours, and providing people with intellectual disabilities opportunities to gain skills needed to increase independence and integrate into the community.
“In this season of giving, we are reminded that we could not succeed without the support of the hundreds of kindhearted people of West Haven and beyond,” Stevens said. “W e cannot express enough how much we appreciate the support and generosity throughout the year, especially during the holiday season.” Stevens said.
“From all of us at the Community House and the families we serve, we wish you all a wonderful and safe new year.”