President Ted present Children's Library book to Lee Eastbourne, Executive Director of the Jonnycake Center of Westerly
Lee thanked the Club for its support over the years and provided an update on the Center. The Board recently approved the purchase of the building, which also houses two or three tenants. The Center has served 3,131 people over the past year. Total meals provided were over 221 thousand; financial assistance given over $107,000 for housing, heating, utility, education and other needs to families in Westerly, Hopkinton, Richmond and Charlestown. Volunteers have donated over 8,600 hours. 1,052 turkeys given to feed 2,874 people and gifts provided to 628 children. The Center has continued its monthly food assistance program to provide meals for students during vacation and on weekends - well fed students learn better than hungry students. He noted that all of Westerly is not like Watch Hill. There are many families in and around town living in near poverty and needing all kinds of assistance from medical to housing. He said that the Center often collaborates with other organizations such as the Pawcatuck Neighborhood Center, Warm Center and Wood River Health. For more information or to volunteer, check their website at www.jonnycake.org or call 401.377.8069. And, stop in to visit the Thrift Shop.
