Tag Archives: Webster Community Chest

Thank you, Webster, from the WCC and Webster Hope

1 Dec

The Webster Community Chest (WCC) and Webster Hope joined forces this Thanksgiving to support families who are struggling more than ever to keep food on the table. Their combined efforts brought food and other household items to our neighbors who needed it most.

But these agencies could not do what they do without strong support from the Webster community. Recently they sent out a public thank you, which I am pleased to reprint here.

Thank you for your support of our recent Thanksgiving Grocery Bag distribution event. This event served 227 families and families received everything they need for a full Thanksgiving dinner in addition to baking items, cleaning products and other extra items. We filled 500 bags (because everything didn’t fit in just one bag)! We also gave out 51 turkeys to larger families thanks to a grant from West Herr Cares.

These large collaborative events cannot happen without the support of the community. We would like to thank Wegmans for their large grant to support this event as well as a gift card so we could purchase the reusable Wegmans shopping bags for all families, West Herr Ford of Webster for supplying butter to all of our families (West Herr Butter is Better), Kuk Sool Won of Ontario for collecting cleaning products, Gathering Place Webster for collecting gravy, A Foley of the NYS Police Academy for collecting food and cleaning items, Thomas High School for dedicating two days of their Spirit Week to collecting for our Thanksgiving event, Village at Unity for collecting a truckload of cookie mix packets, Immanuel Lutheran Church for collecting enough macaroni and cheese to double up in every bag, McAlpin Industries for providing much of the coffee and DiPaolo Bakery for giving us a discount on freshly baked delicious dinner rolls with free delivery and including three trays of delicious treats for our hard-working volunteers.

Also a huge thank you to our individual donors who donated grocery items and/or made a cash donation to support the purchase of grocery items for this event.

The Holiday Meal Collaboration was a response to the increase of food insecurity in our community. Our collaboration has now held six events and we have given out food and other needed items to almost 900 families! Our plan is to have three events per year: Easter/Spring, Summer and Thanksgiving. Webster is truly a community that comes together in times of need and what a better reason to come together than to feed our neighbors.

Thank you for being a part of the solution and thank you for your support of our collaborative efforts.

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 12/1/2025)

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Two ways you can help families in need right now

7 Nov

Our neighbors in Webster are currently facing significant hardship due to the delay in SNAP benefits caused by the ongoing government shutdown. This is a critical time when many families who rely on this aid are struggling to meet their basic needs.

Several days ago, I posted a blog detailing various locations across Webster and Rochester where families can access immediate food, clothing, and financial support. If you know anyone in need, please direct them to that resource immediately.

In addition to sharing those links, here are a few direct, actionable ways for individuals and families to help provide direct assistance to those who are most vulnerable right now.

Webster Hope and Webster Community Chest are partnering to distribute all the fixings for Thanksgiving dinner. Months ago when they started planning the effort, they expected only about 175 families to sign up. As of today, there are 275 families requesting meals.

The Webster Community Chest is taking the point in collecting most of the food, and you can find out what they need here on the WCC website (scroll to the bottom of the page for the list). Webster Hope, however, is collecting ground coffee, and they’re in desperate need and are asking for donations from the community.

Any coffee dropped of at Webster Hope (1450 Ridge Rd.) through Nov. 17 will be used for the Thanksgiving distribution. It can be dropped off during Hope’s regular open hours:

  • Monday 5 to 7 p.m.
  • Tuesday 10 a.m. to noon
  • Wednesday 3 to 5 p.m.
  • Thursday 5 to 7 p.m.

Webster Hope also accepts donations of food and hygiene items and gently used clothing for their regular weekly distributions. The organization regular updates their critical needs on their website. Here’s the October/November list:

  • Coffee and tea
  • Crackers
  • Tuna, albacore preferred
  • Canned chicken
  • Macaroni and cheese, boxed
  • Pasta, all types except spaghetti
  • Canned beets, pineapple
  • Applesauce
  • Oatmeal, instant or regular type

Toiletries

  • Shampoo and conditioner
  • Deodorant
  • Dish soap and hand soap
  • Toothpaste
  • Baby wipes *HIGH NEED*

This reference here also lists ongoing needs. Items can be dropped off at Webster Hope, 1450 Rdge Rd. (east of Phillips) anytime during their normal open hours.

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I was reminded today of a few more ways you can directly help those in need in our community: food pantries.

Anyone at any time can donate food to the residents of the 500-unit Phillips Village community off Phillips Road. Any shelf-stable food is welcome. The Phillips Village pantry is located outside the office, accessible from the office parking lot at 100 Krieger Road between Ridge and State Roads. 

St. Martin Food Pantry — 813 Bay Rd., Webster. Self-serve, accessible outside 24/7. Call 585-671-1899, or email stmartinwebster@gmail.com.

Webster Baptist Church Food Pantry — 59 South Ave., Webster. Self-serve, accessible outside 24/7. Call 585-265-9480 or email office@wcbus.org.

Webster Public Library Food Pantry — 980 Ridge Rd., Webster. Self-serve, inside library entryway. (Includes hygiene items.)

Webster United Church of Christ Food Pantry — 570 Klem Rd., Webster Self-serve, accessible outside 24/7. Call 585-671-3757.

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 11/7/2025)

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Webster community mailbag

18 Sep

The Webster Community Chest is selling Kittelberger Flower Cards, but you have to get on this SOON, because they’re available only through Sept. 27.

Each card gets you 12 Months of Flowers ($180 value; $15 monthly value) for only $50. They make great gifts, or grab one for yourself so you’re sure to have fresh flowers on your table all through the coming winter.  

You can also purchase a flower card and donate it to the Community Chest, and they will brighten the lives of 12 families through this coming year, by gifting them with a bouquet of flowers.

Please contact Tracy at webcommchest@gmail.com or 585-671-2060 to order your card(s) and discuss payment options.

This fundraiser will support WCC’s Women’s Empowerment Programs.

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The United Church of Christ, 570 Klem Rd., is hosting a special performance titled “They Live On…in Word and Song to Support Mental Health,” on Sunday, Sept. 21 at 2 p.m. The community program will support those in various stages of caregiving and loss.

“They Live On…in Word and Song” features excerpts from Patricia Nugent’s memoir — They Live On: Saying Goodbye to Mom and Dad –paired with nine original songs by singer/songwriter Michael Jerling.

Tickets are $20, a donation to the church’s mission of supporting mental health awareness and education. Click here to get yours. For more information, email office@uccwebster.org.

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Webster Central School District families are invited to join a virtual event to learn more about “Distraction-Free Learning” on Tuesday, September 23, from 6 to 7 p.m. Dr. Robert Chalwell, assistant superintendent for student and community engagement, will lead the event. Dr. Chalwell will provide a brief presentation on the New York State law, Webster CSD policy, and the district’s ongoing implementation process. There will be Q&A, as well as a chance to hear perspectives from students, teachers, and families. The district will also provide resources for parents and guardians, and raise awareness about other hot-button topics.

The meeting will be held on Zoom. You can access it here.

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The Webster Lions Club will be hosting their chicken and ribs BBQ on Thursday, Sept. 25 from 3 to 6 p.m. (or until sold out) at Webster Fireman’s Field.

Cost is $20 per person (cash or check) and dinners (prepared by Bad to the Bone in Williamson) include a quarter chicken, pit-smoked ribs, mac salad, BBQ beans and corn bread. Dinners are drive-thru and pick-up.

All proceeds will support Webster Lions Club charities and to help those in need in the community.

The Lions Club’s mission statement is to improve the quality of life for visually and hearing-impaired individuals and those with diabetes. The Club also partners with Camp Smile, located in Webster, a summer day camp for children who are visually or hearing-impaired. To learn more, click here  or call 585-234-5480.

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The Country Gardeners of Webster will be holding a “Frightful and Delightful” Halloween-themed flower show on Saturday, Oct. 4 from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Webster Presbyterian Church, 550 Webster Rd.

Explore floral designs, artistic crafts, an array of horticultural specimens and other surprises. Get ready to decorate your home for the Halloween season! Admission is free and there’s plenty of parking.

Take a peek at the stars on Saturday night, Oct. 4 when the Webster Public Library hosts a Star Party from 6 to 9 p.m. Jim Porter, retired Chief Systems Engineer at NASA, will be on hand to discuss, “What can you see in the night sky?” See robots demonstrated by the McQuaid IgKnighters Robotics Team, play large versions of your favorite games outside with your family or friends, and make a space-themed craft. There’ll be donuts, pizza, hot/cold cider and hot cocoa (available for purchase). You can also enter a raffle for a chance to win a prize, and each attendee will get a free raffle ticket.

A telescope and binoculars will be available for use, or bring your own (that’s recommended).

This is an outdoor event held in the parking lot, and registration is required. The Webster Public Library is located at 980 Ridge Rd.

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The Webster Public Library and Color Webster Green will present an informative presentation all about plastics on Oct. 6 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

It’s called Plastics & Health: What You Need To Know. Almost every bit of plastic breaks down into “microplastics.” Documentaries such as Plastic People show how these microscopic particles drift in the air, float in all bodies of water, mix into our soil, and end up in our bodies.

Jane van Dis, MD, FACOG, Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Rochester will present on the prevalence of plastics and the effects that plastics and the chemicals inside them have on our health. This talk will address key scientific findings and offer insight into ways to protect ourselves and our loved ones. A Q&A session will follow Jane’s presentation. This event is organized by Color Webster Green.

The program will be held Monday Oct. 6, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Webster Public Library’s Community Room. There’s no charge, but please register here so the library knows how many people to expect.

The Webster Arboretum will present their next educational program, all about Bonsai, on Tuesday, Oct. 7 from 7 to 8 p.m.

The program will be presented by award-winning bonsai artist Mark Arpag, who will speak on the art of growing, developing and refining bonsai. Mark has won national awards for his Eastern White Cedar, Balsam Fir and Larch and has a passion for native bonsai and stones. He’s especially interested in shohin bonsai and bonsai display. He has a large and fine quality collection of shohin bonsai as well as larger size trees.

The Arboretum expects a sell-out crowd for this presentation. It’s free to attend, but you need to register. Click here to do so.

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The Friends of the Webster Public Library’s Book Sale will be held Wednesday, Oct. 22 through Saturday, Oct. 25. The first day of the sale — Oct. 22 from 4 to 7 p.m. — is exclusively for Friends members. Membership can be purchased at websterlibrary.org or at the door.  

All are welcome to attend the book sale on Oct. 23 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Hardcover books will be $1 each and paperbacks are only 50 cents each. Oct. 24 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Oct. 25 from 10 a.m. to noon are Bring-Your-Own-Bag Sale days, when you can fill your bag with books for only $5. All are welcome to attend the BYOB Sale days.

Proceeds from the sale support the library. I’ll post another reminder about this in a few weeks.

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The Women’s Club of Webster has announced plans for their next luncheon, scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 16 at Proietti’s Restaurant, 980 Ridge Rd., Webster.

October’s speaker will be Ron Kampff, Vice Chair of Challenger Miracle Field of Greater Rochester. Located in Webster, Miracle Field provides people with developmental, physical or intellectual disabilities a barrier-free, safe, accessible place to experience the health benefits and joy of play through baseball, other team sports, and adaptive recreational equipment.

The event begins at 11:15 a.m. with social time, followed by lunch at noon and Mr. Kampff’s presentation. Attendees will enjoy a variety of Proietti’s popular pizzas, salad, cannoli and camaraderie.

Cost of the luncheon is $19. Send your check, made out to the Women’s Club of Webster, by Oct. 9 to Carolyn Rittenhouse, 405 County Line Road, Ontario, NY 14519. If you think your check will be late, phone Carolyn at 585-265-1303.You do not have to be a member of the Women’s Club to attend, but new members are always welcome!

Here’s a great opportunity to actually chat with some Women’s Club members:

The American Red Cross is sponsoring a blood drive from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 3 at the Webster Public Library, 980 Ridge Rd., and the Women’s Club of Webster will be providing the snacks.  

Blood donors will be warmly greeted at the cantina by members of the Women’s Club, and enjoy supremely scrumptious homemade cookies with their juice.

The whole process takes only about an hour. Appointments are not required. Donors should feel free to just drop in. For more information about the blood drive, please contact Katie Houtat 585-353-9964.

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

?You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 9/18/2025)

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Yarn artists needed!

19 Aug

You’ve read before here in my blog about the terrific community collaboration between Webster Community Chest, and Webster Hope. 

Their goal is to hold a food distribution event four times a year: Easter, Thanksgiving, and sometime during the summer. With the community’s support, these regular distributions will really help our Webster neighbors who face food insecurity every day.

The agencies are gearing up right now for their upcoming holiday season distributions, and they always like to include a few extra helpful items in addition to the seasonal meal items. In past years they’ve asked for hand-crafted cotton washcloths, which they’ll still gratefully accept. But this year they’re asking for a new item as well, “scrubbies,” to give their recipients a new useful, homemade tool.

Scrubbies are made from a different, more abrasive, type of yarn, and they can be used to help with “scrubbing” pots, pans and dishes.

The Community Chest first came up with the idea to include hand-made washcloths and scrubbies a while ago. They work just as well as paper towels and sponges to wipe the counters and do dishes, and are washable and reusable. So they save families a lot of money.

If you like to knit or crochet and would like to become part of the Community Chest’s “Webster Yarn Artist Army,” you are hereby officially invited to join them. Check below the blog for instructions on how to make them. It’s really easy and a great way to put a personal, homemade touch in the meal packages.

The coalition will be collecting the scrubbies year-round and hope to include them in every food distribution they organize, so they can never have too many! You can drop off your creations at Webster Hope during open hours, or in the donation drops at the Webster Public Library for both Webster Hope and Webster Community Chest. Or you can email Webster Community Chest at webcommchest@gmail.com or call them at 585-671-2060 to arrange for pick up or drop off.

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 8/19/2025)

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Webster community mailbag

27 Jul

Lots of new and different stuff in today’s mailbag, plus a few reminders at the end of some musical events.

Your opinions are important

The Town of Webster is still looking for more community input as they plan to update the town’s Comprehensive Plan. The plan guides zoning, the actions of the Planning Board, informs what greenspace protections are implemented at a town level and what code changes the Town Board can implement to protect greenspace within developments…or not.

A successful Comprehensive Plan requires substantial public input and community engagement, and so far, not a whole lot of people have clicked through to the survey to voice their opinions. There’s still time to do so; the survey deadline has been extended through July 30. If you tried to take it before and found it a bit intimidating, try this much faster and easier three-question alternative. The Town will accept responses from both surveys.

If you’d like to learn more about the Comprehensive Plan and why it’s important, the Webster Open Space Committee will be holding an information session on Monday Aug. 4 at 6 p.m. at the Webster Public Library.

Euchre at the library

The Webster Public Library is starting up a Euchre Club, which will meet every Wednesday at 5:30 p.m., beginning on Aug. 6. Experienced and brand new euchre players are welcome; if you don’t know how to play, show up at 5:15 for a quick review of the rules. Light refreshments will be provided, and you can also bring your own snacks.

Please register for each session you’d like to attend. Interest is expected to be high, so if you find that a session is full, place your name on the wait list, and as soon as four people are on the list, the library will open up another table. If you’ve registered and find you cannot attend, please cancel your registration.

Each session will be held from 5:30 to 7:30, and there’s no charge. For more information and to register, click here.

Take a test drive, win Buffalo Bills swag

West Herr Ford at 810 Ridge Rd. (corner of Five Mile Line) is hosting a Test Drive Fundraising Event on Saturday Aug. 9 from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., to benefit the Webster Community Chest.

For every person who registers and takes a quick test drive, West Herr will donate $40 to Webster Community Chest. If 50 people sign up and drive, that means a cool $2,000 for one of Webster’s coolest agencies.

BUT NOT ONLY THAT! Every person who test drives will get a raffle ticket for a chance to win Buffalo Bills merchandise and other prizes, including a life-sized Josh Allen stand out and an autographed football.

BUT THERE’S MORE! West Herr will also have free DiBella’s subs and soft drinks, so you can grab lunch while you’re there. If you come in the morning, you’ll enjoy coffee and donuts.

No appointment is necessary. Just walk in, and choose from a whole line-up of cars and trucks (or they’ll bring out something else off the lot if you want). Just hop in, take a short drive, return and hop out. No hard sales, no obligation. Takes about 15 minutes.

Good food to support great music

The Webster Marching Band Boosters will host their 9th Annual Food Truck Rodeo on Thursday, Aug. 14 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Fireman’s Field on Sanford St.

Participating trucks include Bruster’s, Eat Greek, Macarollin, Mr. Squeeze, Rob’s Kabobs, Roc City Sammich and Tuscan Wood Fired Pizza. The event will also feature artisan vendors, a kids’ play place, face painting, plus a 50/50 and vendor raffles.

Guests will also get a preview of this year’s Webster Marching Band show, “In Times Of” at 6 and 7 p.m.

The boosters are still looking for more artisans, crafters, and restaurants to showcase and sell their products during the event. If you’re interested in becoming a vendor, click here for the application.

Help Webster Hope help our neighbors go back to school

One good thing about school supplies hitting the store shelves already is that you can get some really good deals. While you’re out there stocking up on supplies for your kids, please pick up a few extra items for the annual Webster NY Hope community collection.

Webster Hope is collecting NEW supplies from now through Aug. 19 to stuff in backpacks for children in our community who are in need. The entire wish list is on the flyer here, but you can also see the list on the Webster NY Hope Facebook page.

Supplies can be dropped off at the Webster Public Library, or at Webster Hope during the agency’s open hours, Monday-Thursday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The new backpacks filled with brand new school supplies will be handed out to pre-registered families in about a month. I’ve been at one of these distribution events, and the excitement I have seen in these kids’ eyes is heartwarming.

Music, music and more music

Now here come some musical reminders:

  • The next free Music at the Arb concert at the Webster Arboretum is scheduled for Thursday Aug. 14, featuring the String Brothers from 6:30 to 8 p.m. These concerts are held at the gazebo, and are free and open to the public. No registration is necessary. The Arboretum is located at 1700 Schlegel Rd.
  • The Village of Webster’s Friday Night Concert series returns Aug. 1 with a performance by It’s My Party. Concerts are held at the Village’s Gazebo Park, located at 28 North Avenue. All concerts start at 7 p.m. They’re free and no registration is needed.
  • The United Church of Christ‘s next outdoor Caring Community Concert is scheduled for Wednesday July 30, featuring Ruby Shooz. It will benefit the Webster Community Chest. The concert begins at 6:30 p.m., and food concessions begin at 6. Bring lawn chairs or blankets and a picnic if you’d like. United Church of Christ is located at 570 Klem Rd. (In case of rain it’s moved indoors.)
  • The Webster Village Band‘s next community concert is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 7 beginning at 7 p.m. at the Village Band Shell at Harmony Park on Phillips Rd. The theme is “At The Movies,” highlighting movie soundtracks from many well-known composers. These conc erts are also free and open to the public.

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 7/27/2025)

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Neighbors helping neighbors

19 Feb

Here’s a quick note about how one local business has — once again — shown what it means to be part of a community.

Recently the Webster Community Chest needed a sign to post at their Phillips Village Food Pantry. They reached out to McAllister Sign, Inc. on Ridge Rd. to do the job.

Chris and Mark McAllister not only did a terrific job designing and creating the sign, but also donated their talent, time, and of course the sign itself, to the Community Chest.

The Webster Community Chest is grateful to the McAllisters for their generous donation, and the entire Webster community thanks them for being an outstanding example of community support.

They are truly neighbors helping neighbors.

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 2/19/2025)

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Webster Community Chest named Chamber Business of the month

20 Dec

Congratulations to the Webster Community Chest, honored as the December Business of the Month by the Webster Chamber of Commerce.

One of the Chamber’s longest-tenured members, the Webster Community Chest has been serving the Webster community for more than 75 years, guided by their mission: “Serving people and organizations in need in the greater Webster community by providing services and resources.” 

The Community Chest began as the Webster War Chest in 1942, during World War ll. It supported local residents serving overseas, along with their families. Six years later, it became a New York State charitable organization.

Today, more than 100 volunteers and two part-time benefits counselors work to provide a variety of services to the Webster community, including emergency food assistance, end-of-month meal kits, food delivery to local food cupboards, financial assistance during crises and emergencies, annual high school scholarships to reinforce volunteerism, summer camp scholarships, and Meals on Wheels subsidies. As examples of the Chest’s vast reach into the Webster community, nearly 11,000 end-of-month meal kits have been provided in 2024 and more than 750 Meals on Wheels meals were purchased.

If you’d like to join the Webster Community Chest in their mission to help your Webster neighbors in need, click here to learn more about the organization and explore volunteer opportunities.

Pictured above: (L-R) Webster Community Chest representatives Michael Grenier, Steve Yahoodik, Mary Kay Barrett and Sharon Pratt accept the award from Webster Chamber Board Chair Tim Shortsleeve.

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 12/20/2024)

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Giving back this Thanksgiving season

27 Nov

On the occasion of this Thanksgiving holiday, I’d like to highlight two organizations who are helping make the holidays — and every day — a little bit happier.

Last weekend, the Blue Star Mothers ROC NY8 packaged and shipped 236 care packages for our local soldiers serving overseas. As you can see from the photos, the packages included so many items which will be greatly appreciated by our troops, including snacks, socks, powdered hot chocolate, beef jerky, instant oatmeal, and lots more. The packages will be sent all over the world.

This particular packing and shipping event was called their “Holiday Care Package Drive.” The Blue Star Mothers also send out a shipment every June. The packages not only bring a bit of joy to our soldiers serving far from home, but also bring comfort to the families left behind, who can see how much their loved ones are appreciated.

Coming up for the Blue Star Mothers:

The annual Army/Navy Game Fundraiser will be December 14 at the Spencerport American Legion, 691 Trimmer Rd. There’ll be food, basket raffles, 50/50 raffle, and of course FOOTBALL!

Next, this bit of happy news comes from the Webster Community Chest:

The power of collaboration shone on Monday, November 18 as a dozen Webster Community Chest and Webster HOPE volunteers gathered to distribute Thanksgiving dinner supplies to more than 200 pre-registered Webster families.  The distribution followed months of food and monetary collection from donors and shoppers, weeks of logistical planning and days of more volunteers from both organizations organizing the foods to be distributed. Distribution volunteers were trained to deliver bags of food to waiting carloads of families and manage traffic control. An anonymous donor came in at the last minute to donate more than 200 $10 grocery gift cards so families could purchase a protein course (such as turkey) for their holiday meal.

This is the Webster Community Chest’s third collaborative holiday distribution for 2024.

It’s a tribute to the dedication of leaders and volunteers from both organizations that they were able to carry off such a successful event all the while maintaining their regular food distributions that week.

Coming up for the Community Chest:

WEBSTER MASONS SPAGHETTI DINNER FOR THE CHEST FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6

The Webster Masons hold a Spaghetti Dinner on the first Friday of every month from October through June and each benefits a Webster charity or not-for-profit organization. The one on December 6 from 5 to 7 p.m. benefits the Community Chest. It’s at the Masonic Lodge #538, 30 Orchard Street in Webster. On the menu is spaghetti and meatballs with either marinara or garlic sauce. Garlic bread, salad, water/coffee/tea, and ice cream with a cookie are included, and diners may have seconds. The cost is $12 for adults and $6 for children aged 12 and under.

The meals are prepared by the Masons and will be served by 36 volunteers from the Chest and from both Webster Schroeder and Thomas High School. The students at the event represent such groups as the National Honor Society, Rotary Interact, The Library Club, CARE Club, and Key Club. 

Take out dinners are available at the door. If you’d like to buy advance tickets, click here.

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 11/27/2024)

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Yarn artists needed!

1 Nov

You’ve read before here in my blog about the terrific community collaboration among Webster Community Chest, Webster Hope and Gathering Place Webster.

Their goal is to hold a food distribution event four times a year: Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas and sometime during the summer. With the community’s support, these regular distributions will really help our Webster neighbors who face food insecurity every day.

The agencies are gearing up right now for their upcoming holiday season distributions, and they’d like to include a few extra helpful items in addition to the seasonal meal items.  

Among those items are hand-crafted cotton washcloths. Tracy Dennis from Webster Community Chest explained,

When the pandemic first hit, paper towels were hard to come by so my Mom and I started making these washcloths to use instead of paper towels: to wipe the counters, etc.  They work great, are washable and are super easy to make!  This seemed like a perfect addition to our distributions and the local yarn artists have taken on the challenge.

The first call to crafters went out a few weeks ago, and the yarn artists have come through big time. Tracy says they’re calling them the “Webster Yarn Artist Army,” and if you like to knit or crochet, you are officially invited to join them.

The washcloths are really easy to make (see some instructions and tips below). And what a great way to put a personal, homemade touch in the meal packages.

The coalition will be collecting the washcloths year-round and hope to include them in every food distribution they organize, so they can never have too many! You can drop off your creations at Webster Hope during open hours, or in the donation drops at the Webster Public Library for both Webster Hope and Webster Community Chest. Or you can email Webster Community Chest at webcommchest@gmail.com or call them at 585-671-2060 to arrange for pick up or drop off.

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 10/31/2024)

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Local agencies collaborate for a summer food distribution event

24 Jun

They’re at it again.

Coming this July, Webster Community Chest, Webster HOPE and Gathering Place Webster will be teaming up once again for a Meal Distribution Event to help Webster families in need.

The groups’ first collaborative food distribution effort, which took place in late March, was very successful. More than 150 cars filed through the United Church of Christ parking lot, and volunteers handed each one a shopping bag packed with all the fixings for an Easter dinner. (Click here to read the blog I wrote about the event.)

On the heels of that success, the three agencies are collaborating again to host a Summer Food Distribution event, their goal this time to distribute 175 bags of food worth about $20-$25 each.

Some of the 150 bags of food distributed in March

But they can’t do it without community support.

Organizers are asking community members to contribute food items to help fill the bags. The specific items being requested can be found on this list. Individuals can certainly choose something from the list to provide all by themselves. But businesses, organizations, families and neighborhoods can also work together and pledge to purchase all of one of the requested items (like 175 cans of baked beans) or just a portion (25 cans). Cash donations will also be gratefully accepted, as a straight-up donation or to sponsor one of the food items.

This is especially a great opportunity for businesses; your pledge/donation will be mentioned on the groups’ Facebook pages and website, along with any photos you’d like to provide of your employees with the collected food items.

Your donations can be dropped off between June 24 and July 9 at Gathering Place Webster, located at the United Church of Christ, 570 Klem Rd. (west entrance). Please DO NOT DROP OFF YOUR ITEMS OUTSIDE. Instead, email Wendy Lesko at gatheringplacewebster@gmail.com, or call her at (585) 746-1965 to arrange a time.

The goal is to hold a food distribution event four times a year: Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas and sometime during the summer. With the community’s help, these regular distributions will really help our Webster neighbors who face food insecurity every day.

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(posted 6/24/2024)

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