Boston, MA (December 15, 2009 ) – Santa Claus will be delivering toys to the Federated Dorchester Neighborhood House – Ruth Darling Childcare Center, 37 Stoughton Street in Dorchester on Thursday, December 17th at 9:00 AM.
The children from low-income families will be receiving toys that otherwise they would not receive if not for the charitable donations by Friends for Children.
Friends for Children is a non-profit organization dedicated to assisting children organizations, Leland Woodsworth, a former president of the Sheet Metal Workers’ Union Local 17 founded the organization.
Business Manager of Local 17, James Wool says, ”We at the Sheet Metal Workers Local 17 are proud to be at the forefront of helping children’s causes since the Friends of Children’s founder Leland Woodsworth started this fundraising charity over 40 years ago.”
President of Friends for Children, Festus Joyce says, “With so much poverty and problems inner city kids face especially in these tough economic times, we are happy to be able to help so many children’s organizations.”
Director of the Federated Dorchester Neighborhood House – Ruth Darling Childcare Center, Mary Geoghegan says, “ For the last 5 years the children have been receiving gifts from the Friends for Children and I wasn’t expecting it this year because of the economy. But we are excited that the children are receiving presents this holiday because of the kindness of Friends for Children. Many of these children would not be receiving these presents because of the tough economic times.”
In the last few years, Friends for Children has raised over 200 thousand dollars through fundraising efforts with a majority of the money coming from donations by Sheet Metal Workers Unions across the US and Canada.
Organizations that have received assistance from Friends for Children include the following: Dorchester Youth Collaborative, Parents Helping Parents, Children’s Trust Fund for Massachusetts, Dorchester Place Preschool, Elizabeth Stone House for Children, Dorchester Youth Alternative School for Children, The Cushing House of South Boston, The Gavin Foundation in Dorchester, The Healthy Baby, Healthy Child Program in Boston, Mujeres Unidas En Accion (Daycare Center for Afterschool Children ).
Friends For Children Provide Christmas Presents to Low-Income Families
Children at the Federated Dorchester Neighborhood House- Ruth Darling Childcare Center receive holiday presents from Santa.
