Diganta Basu, a scout from Berkeley Heights’ Troop 368, successfully initiated and completed a holiday drive which benefited the YWCA’ Union County.
YWCA Union County provides the only Domestic Violence Emergency shelter along with other comprehensive services for victims of domestic violence in Union County.
Troop parent Lisa Poris, Director of the Union County Family Justice Center*, connected Basu with YWCA to implement the drive. Basu secured permission from the Berkeley Heights township to use the municipal building as a drop-off location, and worked in collaboration with YWCA Union County to spread the word.
The drive was shared with Troop families and the community, with a link to an Amazon wishlist that donors could use to aid in purchases. Basu created a sign to be placed with the collections box, then monitored the box, picking up donations as the boxes filled up. And they did fill up, with the generosity of the town’s residents, Basu had to empty the donation boxes five times in just two weeks!
The drive supported the YWCA’s holiday toy drive called Project North Pole, a space where domestic violence victims are able to “shop” for holiday presents for their children with dignity and hope. Basu’s collection included everything from stacking toys for infants to Legos, games, sports paraphernalia and craft kits for older tweens and teens.
YWCA Union Couty said Basu’s efforts topped all of their collection locations, with a representative from the group commenting on Basu’s professionalism throughout the planning process. On their way back from dropping off the donation in Elizabeth, Basu and his mother saw a shooting star – there is no more perfect metaphor for the hope, change and magic that this drive will bring to families in need.
Congratulations and a big thank you to Diganta for his initiative and work on making this drive a success!
*The Union County Family Justice Center provides legal advocacy for victims of domestic violence and is a program made possible by the County of Union and YWCA Union County’s collaborative efforts.
If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence in need of help you can contact the YWCA’s 24/7 Hotline at 908-355-HELP (4357).
If you would like to support the continued work and programs of YWCA Union County, please visit our website: https://www.ywcaunioncounty.org/
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