A number of families struggling to afford gifts this holiday season will be receiving assistance from city leaders joining together.
About 20 students throughout the Lynn Public School system will receive presents from the 17 City Hall departments choosing to participate in the annual fundraiser this year.
A flatbed truck made its way to 3 City Hall Square on Friday, where mounds of presents were loaded onboard and delivered to six Lynn elementary schools.
From the Department of Public Works to the Clerk’s office, city workers were eager to spread Christmas cheer.
Community Development Project Operations Assistant Allison Perry didn’t need to corral support from those in the office to donate money since everybody was on board.
“Every single person in our office makes a donation and then I went out to buy gifts,” Perry said.
She purchased some of the essentials for wintertime like a warm coat, hats and gloves, as well as fun stuff.
“I bought a lot of toys, too,” she said.
Lisa Nerich of the Lynn Department of Public Works admitted she bought the same shoes purchased for her son, to be gifted to a lucky Lynn child.
Social workers from the schools gathered a list of those who would benefit from the fundraiser, collected sizes and wish lists that were provided to make shopping easier.
Organized by Mayor Judith Flanagan Kennedy’s office and her executive assistant, Shannon Murphy, some employees remember the fundraiser taking place before the era of Edward “Chip” Clancy.
Perry, like many of the departments participating from City Hall, hope their gifts bring joy this holiday season.
“We work closely with the school department and so many different social service agencies as well that service needy families or kids that we are well aware of the need here in our community,” she said.
