SWAMPSCOTT — The Residence at Vinnin Square is hosting a pet-supply drive for the Northeast Animal Shelter in Salem and is inviting residents to drop off donations at their facility until March 1.
“It is a way for us as a company, (and) for our parent company LCB Senior Living to give back,” said Mimi Brophy, senior sales and marketing director at the Residence at Vinnin Square. “It gives a sense of purpose and allows everybody — our residents — to participate.”
The Residence at Vinnin Square, an independent-living, assisted-living and memory-care community, has chosen Northeast Animal Shelter as its charitable beneficiary for the first quarter of 2022. The facility is collecting wet and dry food for dogs and cats, along with treats, cat litter, new toys and Kong’s, leashes, water and food bowls now through March 1.
Brophy said that the Residence and other communities of LCB Senior Living across seven northeastern states select a cause every quarter to donate to. This quarter, they have decided to benefit organizations that work with animals, be it a pet shelter or a veterinary clinic.
Brophy reached out to Northeast Animal Shelter, one of the closest and biggest shelters near Swampscott, to find out what they needed most. She said that wet and dry food were the No. 1 item on the shelter’s wishlist for both cats and dogs.
Residence then set up a big box in the main lobby for donations.
“It is going well,” Brophy said. “We had lots of residents who donated.”
Some of the residents who still drive or go shopping in the facility’s van have picked up items at stores. Family members of residents and company’s associates have also contributed to the drive.
“We are trying to get the word out to those folks beyond the doors here to help support this worthy cause,” said Brophy.
The Residence at Vinnin Square is inviting anyone who would like to participate in the drive to drop off donations in its lobby at 224 Salem St. Brophy also suggested that people can look up other supplies that the shelter needs on its wishlists at Amazon and Chewy.com.
In March, the senior-living facility along with some of its community members will package all of the donations together, load them into the Residence’s van and will deliver them to the shelter.
Previously, the Residence has worked with SPUR, a nonprofit public policy organization, and donated to their Fairy Godmother Program, Backpack Program and Pillowcase Program. On Sept. 11, the Residence delivered sandwiches and other treats from its on-site restaurant to first responders in Swampscott and Marblehead.
