BURRILLVILLE – A group of caring neighbors is raising funds and collecting gifts to help a family in town that recently lost their husband and father to COVID-19, leaving the mother to raise four children on her own.
The family, which includes 14-year-old triplets and a 17-year-old boy, doesn’t qualify for traditional help through the town’s Adopt a Family program due to age restrictions.
Burrillville Helping Burrillville, an organization started with the specific mission of providing for those in need who may not be eligible through other sources, has stepped in to help.
“This family is grieving the loss of the father who recently passed,” noted organizer Jocelyn Theroux. “This is so heartbreaking and I hope we can pull together as a community and allow this family to have some positivity in their life.”
The group is collecting money with the goal of raising $800, as well as gifts to be given to the children, and has published a list of needed items.
The 17-year-old boy’s favorite color is red and could use large pants and extra large tops. He likes wolves and Call of Duty stuff, or gift card to Chipotle and Amazon are suggested.
One 14-year-old girl in the family is a sports fan who likes football and basketball. Her favorite color is blue and she could use mens’ medium pants and large tops. She needs Nike head ties, or gift cards to Amazon or Burlington Coat Factory.
The 14-year-old boy’s favorite color is orange, and he wears medium bottoms and large tops. He like anime and Naruto and gift cards to Amazon and Hulu are on the wish list.
The last of the triplets, also a 14-year-old girl, likes the color purple and could use size medium sweatpants and legging and large tops. Her wish list includes drawing supplies, earrings and nose rings, or gift cards to Starbuck and Rue 21.
“Mom cannot do this alone,” said Theroux, noting she’s also hoping to get some gift cards for the mother, “to help ease the stress.”
Grace’s Food Pantry at Chepachet-based Glad Tidings Church has stepped up to offer Christmas dinner for the family.
Gifts can be brought to the DATTCO Bus Company on Pascoag Main Street during business hours from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, marked “attention to Sharon Brunelle.”
Monetary donations are also accepted at https://www.facebook.com/donate/397614365223790/325964478915800
