The holiday season has begun. Local stores have “Christmas” (can I say that?) decorations up, and Wal-Mart — thankfully not a local store — has announced it will open at 10 p.m. Thanksgiving Day.
“Our customers told us they would rather stay up late to shop than get up early, so we’re going to hold special events on Thanksgiving and Black Friday,” Walmart’s chief merchandising officer said. (No word on what Walmart’s hard-working, non-unionized workers associates think about punching in late on Thanksgiving night.)
While “06880” cannot become a bulletin board for every worthy help-the-less-fortunate endeavor this winter (bah, humbug!), 3 special events have caught our eye.
First: Once again, the Conservative Synagogue is partnering with gourmet bakers, caterers and fine food outlets to provide Thanksgiving pies — while making a donation to Homes With Hope.
The “Share the Pie” fundraiser offers apple, pecan and pumpkin pies for $20. The deadline to order is this Wednesday (November 16); pies can be picked up Tuesday, November 22 at the synagogue parking lot.
Click here to order, or call 203-454-4673.
Second: The Department of Human Services is again sponsoring a holiday giving program for Westport residents.
Those who can contribute — gift cards for food, gas and discount department stores, for example, along with tax-deductible donations of money that’s used to fulfill last-minute requests — do so. Human Services acts as a facilitator, protecting the confidentiality of donors and recipients.
To donate — or request help — email humansrv@westportct.gov, or call 203-341-1069.
Third: The Westport Police Department local union 2080 and Police Benevolent Association are again sponsoring a toy drive. New, unopened and unwrapped toys — as well as cash donations — will be collected at police headquarters any time through December 18.
There are plenty of ways to do good this holiday season. These are just 3.
And none require a trip to Walmart at 10 p.m. Thanksgiving night.
Also, the Connecticut Food Bank will be collecting non-perishables, frozen turkeys and financial contributions at Stop & Shop in Westport from 5am to 7pm on Thursday, November 17th. These donations will help the 1 in 7 households in Connecticut that are struggling with hunger issues. Every $30 donated to Connecticut Food Bank helps them provide a month’s supply of food for a person in need in Connecticut where there are more than 400,000 people at risk of hunger every year. Come on down on Thursday, please!