Mothers & More to help mothers in need
CLIFTON PARK (Dec. 14) — The economy has gotten so bad that even Santa’s helpers need some assistance this year.
For example, almost every year the YWCA of Troy-Cohoes has no problem finding people and companies to adopt its women in need for the holidays — providing gifts, toiletries and supplies to bring a little cheer to the season. But this year, the Y was unable to find adopters for 60 of the 94 at its facilities.
East Line Books on Route 9 will be accepting holiday gifts donations for the women at the Troy YWCA until Dec. 18.
“These women rely on the YWCA for all of their needs,” chapter president Tara Brettholtz said.
So the group started a grassroots campaign to find gifts for the women of Troy. The hope is to collect enough for everyone — and even some for their children. Items can be dropped off by Dec. 18 at East Line Books on Route 9 just north of Route 146.
“Typically we give the women necessary items, such as linens and hygiene articles,” said Sarah Spies, who runs the Y’s housing programs. “We’re trying to also give them some luxury items — scented hand lotion, body spray, things that women don’t buy for themselves.”
Suggested gifts include: body lotion, makeup, perfume, fancy chocolates, keychains, hair accessories, mugs and tea, pajamas, socks, winter gloves, costume jewelry or small (4×6) picture frames. One mother is working with her daughter’s Girl Scout troops in hopes of providing 20 pairs of pajamas.
There is also the need for children’s gifts because some mothers are staying at the Y with their kids. Others are noncustodial mothers or grandmothers who could use a present to give to their children or grandchildren.
“Imagine being a single mother living alone in a small space with two children,” said Spies, who added that there are a couple of babies, a few preschoolers and an 8-year-old boy in residence. At capacity, the Y has room for 18 children.
Mothers & More originally became involved with the YWCA in the spring. Brettholtz had read about the Y’s housing programs in some United Way literature and thought it would be nice to do something for the women at Mothers Day.
“We called them up,” Brettholtz said, “and there was just this connection in our missions.”
That led into “Power of a Purse,” where Mothers & More asked for new and gently used purses to give the women. To everyone’s surprise, more than 600 purses were donated. A hair salon volunteered to give the women free haircuts, and a DJ provided his services for a celebration.
“The event just grew and grew and grew,” said Brettholtz, who added there are plans to turn “Power of a Purse” into a nationwide program for next Mothers Day.
That project was so successful that when the Y needed help at the holidays its officials turned to Mothers & More.
“They called us up,” Brettholtz said. “There’s a great need there.”
For more information:
- Mothers & More of Southern Saratoga
- YWCA of Troy-Cohoes, 21 First Street, Troy, 274.7100
- East Line Books, 1714 Route 9, Clifton Park, 371.4151
