Show off your ugliest sweater at Swampscott holiday toy drive party

SWAMPSCOTT – By Debra Glidden / The Daily ItemPut your ugly holiday sweater on, grab a new toy and get over to the Italian Club on Dec. 18 from 6 to 11 p.m.Todd Flannery, who is the owner of Flannery’s Handy Men, said he was planning a small house party when the idea mushroomed.”I was going to have a ugly holiday sweater party at my house,” he said. “But more than 60 people expressed interest in attending and I have a small house so we decided to have it at the Italian Club. We’re trying to get as many people to attend as possible.”The Italian Club is located at off Burpee Road.Flannery said the party is a real community effort.”Lynn Meatland is providing the food at cost,” he said. “The Swampscott Rotary has been very supportive and the music is being provided at no cost.”Flannery said he is asking all attendees to bring a new unwrapped non-violent toy, which will be donated to the state Department of Children and Families.”Every year I want to give toys,” he said.DCF Lynn Area Office Supervisor Sara Garofalo said the agency relies on the generosity of area residents.”We work with hundreds of families,” she said. “We have children living at home with their families and others living in foster care. We accept donations from other agencies and Toys for Tots as well as the general public. I’m always amazed at the generosity of people. It just warms your heart.”Garofalo said the local DCF distributes thousands of gifts a year to families.”We like to be able to give at least two gifts to each child we work with,” she said. “We give out thousands of gifts to the families we work with. We try to sneak the gifts to the parents so they can play Santa Claus to their children. The parents are always so grateful and appreciative.”Garofalo said donations can also be dropped off at DCF’s Lynn Area Office, 20 Wheeler St., Lynn.”We especially need gifts for teenagers and older kids,” she said. “Most people buy gifts for the younger children so we could really use teenager gifts. Purses and make-up are popular with the girls. The boys like footballs and things.”Flannery said Susan Bishop, who is a member of Swampscott Rotary, has been helping coordinate the event.”I’m trying to get as many people as possible involved,” Flannery said. “There is no admission charge. There will be music, a cash bar, dancing and Santa Claus will be there. It’ll be a great time for a good cause. Besides how often do you get the chance to wear that ugly holiday sweater.”