Our round-up of the latest Wellesley, Mass., charity news:

Wrapping with Kids Backing Kids

Some 40 Kids Backing Kids volunteers on Dec. 5 wrapped over 400 gifts that will make their way to 85 kids in need, and they were back at it again on Dec. 12 to wrap gifts for 80-plus additional children.

KBK Gift Drive Coordinators — Olivia Rodrigue (WHS ’22) and Stephanos Maramaldi (WHS ’22) – Holiday Gift Drive co-coordinators

Cohen Faily wrapping gifts-1 — Cohen Family wrapping gifts: Gina Cohen, Chloe Cohen (WHS ’21), Adam Cohen (KBK Board Member), and Siena Cohen (WHS ’23)

WHS students wrapping gifts KBK — WHS students wrapping gifts: Hannah Cronin (WHS ’23), Katie Passanisi (WHS ’23), Valerie Passanisi (WHS ’21)

Postcomers women package up essentials

Wellesley’s Postcomers Club, an organization of women from Wellesley who have been getting together for over 50 years for fun and friendship, conceived the idea of helping other women during their regular Friday morning walk on the Brook Path. Their conversation had morphed into a discussion of making the most of the holiday season while observing COVID-19 protocols. By the end of their walk, the group determined that they would find a good way to help needy women celebrate the season with the assurance that other women were thinking of them.

The recipient organizations have been helping Boston women to alleviate problems with homelessness and health care. One of the organizations, Health Care Without Walls (formerly Women of Means), was founded several years ago by Dr. Roseann Means. Seventeen volunteer doctors and one physician’s assistant tend to the health needs of countless women with few personal resources. The women live at various shelters in and around Boston. The doctors are specialists in internal medicine pediatrics, family medicine, gynecology, dermatology, emergency care, and psychiatry. They spend hundreds of hours dispensing free medical care. Since this organization started working with the women, the number of visits to emergency rooms and returning hospital patients among this population has been tremendously reduced.

Two more organizations working with Health Care Without Walls are the Women’s Lunch Place for women, and Bridges to Elders, feeding women, 60 or older. All these groups have received the contributions and gifts of warm outerwear and personal necessities, which were packaged by the Wellesley Postcomers. The entire project was led by Pam Grignaffini.

The Postcomers organization is looking forward to resuming its in-person activities, including parties, luncheons, and day trips in post-COVID-19 times. Postcomers will welcome new members when they resume in-person activities.

wellesley postcomers — Volunteer packers, left to right,
Sarah Foley, Postcomers President
Marsha Welburn
Pat Dacey
Charlotte Trubiani
Prissy Lampert
Sue Ahlgren, Postcomers Vice-President
Susan Gannon
Pam Grignaffini

(Information submitted by Phyllis Glazerman)

Babson holiday drive-thru supports Wellesley Food Pantry

A low-key holiday wonderland drive-thru on the Babson College campus this past week provided a bit of seasonal cheer while collecting goods for the Wellesley Food Pantry.