Turner Puts Heart & “Sole” in Boot Donation to Horizons
For many people, crisp air, festive decorations, and busy shopping centers buzzing with excitement, are all signs that the holiday season is here. For us, it’s the outpouring of generous and charitable gifts from our supportive community.
The holiday season provides joy and kind gestures everywhere, but it also brings something else. Winter weather. Frigid temperatures require an abundance of warm clothing in Massachusetts, which can be a problem for a family living in a homeless shelter, who is allowed only two bags of possessions for the entire family upon entry.
Cue Turner Construction Company. For several years now, Turner has been donating boots for every child enrolled in our Early Education Centers… and their siblings!
We spoke with Turner’s Allison Ferrari to find out more about their annual boot drive:
How many years has Turner donated boots to Horizons? Could you speak about Turner’s involvement with Horizons?
This is the fourth year that we have been donating boots. We started out with one center and now donate to all three, including the siblings of the enrolled children.
Turner donated more than 200 boots to Horizons this year, that’s an incredible number! How did you manage the process to collect boots?
The office set up boards with boot-shaped tags, each of which had a name, age, and shoe size, and employees selected their own recipients. This way each employee will feel a connection to the child’s tag that they choose.
What would you say to people who are thinking about volunteering or donating to Horizons?
We feel grateful to be working with such a wonderful organization that is able to provide the highest level of service to our community. Our whole Turner Family looks forward to being able to participate in the annual boot drive.
What’s been your favorite part about the boot drive?
One of my favorite things is when all of our employees gather around the tag boards to choose the child that they would like to provide boots for this year. Another is when I display the boots in our lobby. It is very rewarding to see how supportive our people are. To see all of the boots together is overwhelming in the best possible way.
Why should people support Horizons?
What you give is not even close to what you get back. To know that we are able to provide warm boots to children is a gift to everyone involved in the process.
Anything else you would like to add?
I could not do any of this without the generosity and kindness of my whole Turner team! I am very lucky to work with an unbelievable group of people.
Horizons is dedicated to improving the lives of homeless children across the state of Massachusetts. Please consider a donation today to help our kids learn, play, and thrive this season!
Published on December 13, 2016
