Probation employees at Northampton District
Court helped to make the season bright for an impoverished
family of six by outfitting each member with warm clothing,
shoes and bedding as well as toys for the kids.
For the fifth year, Northampton District
Court participated in the “Adopt-A-Family” Program
of the Northampton Survival Center, a social service
agency and food pantry which feeds 600-650 families
each month.
This family, which the court adopted,
includes a mother, father, one month baby boy, six-year-old
girl, 15-year-old boy and 17-year-old girl. Penny Dyer,
a Probation Case Specialist at Northampton District
Court, helped to coordinate the department’s
effort. Other court departments contributed to the
effort.
“We are happy to help those who
are in need, especially this time of year,” said
Dyer.
Through donations, the department was
able to provide the family with diapers and baby blankets
for the newest member of the family; a doll, educational
video, sneakers, socks, and a Build a Bear gift certificate
for the six-year-old girl; sneakers, an MP3 Player,
sports trading cards, and a Target gift certificate
for the 15-year-old boy; and a portable CD Player,
winter wool coat, socks and gift card for the 17-year-old
girl. The parents received coats as well.
Evelyn McCoy, Assistant Director of the
Northampton Survival Center, said the holiday charity
effort is one that both the families and her agency
appreciate.
“A lot of the families can’t
possibly help their children. They are really just
scrapping by,” McCoy said. “In a college
town like Northampton, there are a large amount of
people who work in the service industry. Many of the
businesses hire part-time. There are no benefits. Thank
God for MassHealth for kids because it is brutal.
” Each year before Thanksgiving,
McCoy and her staff select families who could benefit
from the “Adopt-A-Family” program. The
family is then called to do a “Wish List.
“Parents usually want hats or
coats, something that we consider basic is something
they just don’t have,” McCoy said. “We
really appreciate the donations from the Northampton
District Court Probation Department.”
