WILMINGTON, MA — Wilmington’s Substance Abuse Prevention Task Force, a coalition of Wilmington Public Schools, the Wilmington Police Department, and the Wilmington Board of Health, is launching the “Wilmington Holiday Drive To Support Recovery,” its inaugural town-wide initiative.
The Task Force is asking residents to drop off supplies at designated donation boxes around town. All supplies have been requested by, and will be donated to, addiction treatment facilities in the area. (Learn more about the facilities HERE.)
From November 19 to December 18, marked donation boxes will be located the Wilmington Police Station, Wilmington High School, Wilmington Middle School, Wilmington Town Hall, St. Elizabeth’s Church, and RE/MAX Encore (314 Main Street, Unit 107).
Requested supplies include:
Toiletries: body wash; combs; conditioner; deodorant; feminine products; floss; lotion; razors; shampoo; toothbrushes; toothpaste
Clothing: bras; hats, gloves & mittens; men’s dress shirts; men’s and women’s underwear (new, any sizes); scarves; shoes; socks; t-shirts (any size); winter coats; winter boots
Activities: board games; crafting materials; crayons; crossword books; colored pencils; glue sticks; journals; magazines; markers; paper, pens and pencils; safety scissors
Other Basics: bags/luggage; child sippy cups; diapers (all sizes); eyeglasses; hairbrushes; hair dryers; nail clippers; shower sandals; slippers; towels; twin blankets; twin sheet sets
In addition to donating supplies, residents are encouraged to get involved by promoting the Drive and/or helping with the logistics of collecting, storing and sorting supplies. (Learn more about volunteer opportunities HERE.)
The goal of the Drive is to provide recovering alcoholics and addicts with the basic necessities they need while rebuilding their lives as sober members of their community. The Holiday Drive will also demonstrate compassion for those afflicted – and for the families of those afflicted – by the disease of addiction. Donors will help reduce the stigma that scare addicts, alcoholics and their families from getting the treatment and the support that they need to recover.
Want to learn more? Visit the Drive’s website. Like the Drive’s Facebook page.
Have a question? Contact organizer Kendal Vaughan at kendal@wilmingtonsupportsrecovery.com.
(NOTE: The above information was submitted by Kendal Vaughan and taken from the Drive’s website with permission.)
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Wilmington Apple 
That’s a wonderful idea. Empathy. I love it.