Many different organizations donate to those in need year-round, especially during the winter months when temperatures are cold. Four local organizations from Wadsworth that currently provide
services are the Salvation Army, The Garton Family Charity, Marian’s Closet, and The Garage. Whether you choose to donate or offer voluntary services, you can support any of these organizations by scanning the QR code to the side. This QR code will direct you to a link page where you can select either of the options listed previously.
The Garton Family Charity was founded in 2016 and is another non-profit organization that regularly donates to those in need of food and other small supplies year-round.
According to Steve Garton, the president of the charity, “To supply donations, we host various types of projects and fundraisers, all of which support those in need, one of which is the Holiday Cheer Program.”
Previously, in 2020, the Garton Family Charity launched its Holiday Cheer program in response to the pandemic and its impact on local families.
“The program provides gifts, including toys and clothing, to children of families who need assistance during the holidays,” Garton said.
Currently, the Garton Family Charity is accepting food and materialistic items or presents through their partner, the YMCA. You can drop these items off at the YMCA location connected to the high school.
The Salvation Army is one non-profit organization that helps support those in need through donations of clothing, toiletries, school supplies, winter gear, and toys/presents to people during the Holidays.
“Any donations will be used to provide these items to those in need, making a direct impact on their lives,” said Tracy Knappins, a captain of the Salvation Army.
Currently, they are accepting a wide range of donations consisting of coats, gloves, hats, and food donations, all of which will be distributed to those in need of specific necessities and essential items through the program or at the bell locations near public shopping areas.
The Garage has free shops of necessities for teenagers and teen parents. These shops are funded through donations from community members.
Laurie Beal runs the teen parents store and group.
“For the teen parents, we have a Christmas party, and they each get a family basket of gifts,” Beal said. “We just gave them, last week, the whole meal deal for Thanksgiving. We gave them a frozen turkey and then all the fixings.”
In each shop, there are specific needs. In the teen parents shop, they give away new or like-new baby clothes and bed sheets, unopened formula, baby cribs, wipes, diapers and necessities for teen moms and dads. In the shop for teenagers, they offer trendy clothes and essentials, including deodorant, hair products, toiletries, perfume, makeup and feminine hygiene products.
This Christmas, Marian’s Closet is providing children with a “Comfy, Cozy Christmas.” Each child will get a quilt, a set of cozy pajamas and an age-appropriate toy.
Some of these quilts have been donated through the Apostolic Sewing Circle in Rittman, Orville. Another organization that will provide Marian’s Closet with quilts is the Honeybee Quilters Guild.
Marian’s Closet is a non-profit organization that is funded through donations and grants from Wadsworth and surrounding communities.
They provide services to families in need of assistance.
Since Marian’s Closet is a smaller property, they cannot store a large number of items long-term. At times, they send items to other organizations to help stock their shelves.
“There’s things that come in that we send on,” said Teresa Berrey, the exectuive director at Marian’s Closet. “We try to help support other groups in town and in the surrounding communities.”
So, when someone donates, they are not just helping Marian’s Closet but supporting surrounding organizations that help those in need.
Those who choose to volunteer will either help unload donations, sort through clothing, stock shelves and racks, package necessities or assist with the front desk.
