Every Christmas morning on the Island hundreds of children for whom the day would otherwise serve only as a reminder of want, tear through a heap of lovingly wrapped gifts. This owes, of course, to the prodigious efforts of Père Noel, but also to the dozens of merry-making volunteers at the Red Stocking Fund.
While other Island fund-raising efforts have floundered of late, with a new wing for this or that building going unfinished, it seems that Vineyarders’ compassion for their fellow man is constant.
“It’s such a grassroots Island tradition,” said Kerry Alley, who codirects the fund with Lorraine Clark. “Giving to it is almost an automatic thing with a lot of people.”
When Mrs. Clark’s mother died a month ago she asked that people donate to the Red Stocking in her name.
“We got over $1,000 in her memory, which I was thrilled about,” she said.
With no administrative costs and sustained only by the dedication of a handful of tireless volunteers, the fund has persevered for over 70 years since its founding during the Great Depression by the kind-hearted Harris M. Crist. In 1938 there were six children in need; in 2009 there were 376. Mr. Alley and Ms. Clark expect a similar number this year. Despite the growth in need over the years, donations have kept pace, even in a souring economy.
“Last year it was a pleasant surprise,” said Mr. Alley.
Although the fund-raising effort is already well underway, with the fund receiving its biggest contribution, $17,000 from the Harley Riders’ Toys for Tots run earlier this month, Mr. Alley said the need is ongoing, especially as hesitant new families join at the last moment.
“We always have a need for hats and gloves,” he said. “Kids are always running short of them.”
While the fund raises money to purchase food and clothing for the children, it relies on a number of local businesses and organizations to pitch in for the glitzier gifts.
“We don’t spend any of our money on toys; they’re all contributed,” Mr. Alley said. He calls John Custer, former chairman of the fishing derby and principal of the Tisbury School, his “go-to man for fishing equipment.” Every year the derby donates a wealth of fishing tackle and poles.
Patricia Carlet, a former longtime librarian at the Edgartown School and Red Stocking volunteer, sees to it that every child gets at least one new book for Christmas.
“She’ll go to all the local bookstores and dog them until she gets enough,” Mr. Alley said.
For some children the need goes well beyond a lack of shiny new toys. Every year the East Chop Sleep Shop supplies a number of beds to the fund.
“Some of these kids are sleeping on the floor,” Mr. Alley said. He said the list of Island businesses that contribute is nearly endless and that the fund used to take out a full-page ad in both Island newspapers to express its gratitude, but can no longer afford to do so. Besides, he said, it is money better spent on clothing and food.
In the coming weeks the fund will raise money through its 26th annual Great Chowder Contest on the Saturday of the Christmas in Edgartown festival and then again with a chili festival in January. Having just finished its Thanksgiving food distribution, if enough money is left over from the holiday push, Mr. Alley hopes for another one in March.
“It’s a time of year that people are stripped clean from paying oil bills,” he said.
For now, though, the efforts of the fund are focused squarely on shopping, wrapping and collating gifts for the anonymous families. Although it is exhausting, especially during the Dec. 13 to 15 wrapping bonanza at Grace Church, for both Mr. Alley and Ms. Clark the joy of the Friday pickup is enough to erase the months of hectic toil necessary to pull it all off.
“[My favorite part] is seeing how happy it makes the mothers,” Ms. Clark said.
Mr. Alley agrees.
“That Friday morning when parents come in, some don’t realize, especially if it’s their first time, that they’ll really get what they asked for,” he said. “One year a woman who was new to the Island took a taxi to Grace Church and when she saw all the presents she just sat on the curb crying; she couldn’t believe it.”
The greatest joys for the volunteers, though, are the unseen ones, those intimate moments on Christmas day inside the homes of Red Stocking recipients.
“It’s always all about the kids,” Ms. Clark said. “We don’t know how the kids react. We don’t know if they say, ‘What is this stupid toy?’ But we hope we did it right.”
For more information about the Red Stocking Fund, call Kerry Alley at 508-693-2324 or Lorraine Clark at 508-693-0725. Checks in support of Red Stocking may be mailed to Barbara Silvia, Treasurer, at 67 Midland avenue, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568.
This article appears in December 3, 2010.
Sadly several years ago I stopped giving to the Red Stocking and the Food Bank when I found out and “SAW” Brazilian Illegals getting both! When this gets controlled better I will happily once again contribute!
It’s too bad people opt not to give because good island charities are non discriminatory. One should not visit the “sins of the parent” upon the children. The children served by these wonderful charities did not choose to move to Martha’s Vineyard and they shouldn’t suffer for the choices their parents have made – regardless of nationality, color, religion, etc. If I’m not mistaken, unless you are a Native American, we all are products of people who moved to America for a better life! Even the Wampanoags helped the Pilgrims survive when they first arrived at Plymouth! Everyone deserves a helping hand if they qualify for the programs. Hats off to the charities for keeping their doors and giving open to everyone.
It’s also worth noting that the pictures above are from last year or earlier! The Red Stocking Fund does not have a lot of toys this year and, as always, continues to need toy donations. Drop off spots include the Edgartown School and the Oak Bluffs School or you can call Kerry Alley or Lorraine Clark to arrange for pick up of your donations or you can drop things off at Grace Church on December 13 and 14th! Thank you!
gail, i understand your apprehension. especially about the children. i don’t believe anyone would say that the red stocking fund/food pantry is not a wonderful service and the people who run it are absolute angels – because they are. the red stocking fund is a group that is dear to my heart. i have known many families that they have helped – families who have lost a parent or a loved one, folks who fell on hard times, especially around the holidays and the red stocking fund came through and provided food and basic necessities for children to get through the winter! but i no longer give like i used to because of what i have also witnessed in recent years. it has nothing to do with immigrants coming to our country to settle and make a better life for themselves. (my ancestors did that as well which is why i am born an american.) the immigrant friends and relatives i have here on the island have no problem admitting that they are here to gather as much wealth as they can, take advantage of whatever freebies they can, send most of it back to brazil and then move back there. their children are taught that from an early age.
the difference with most of the people that glean from the red stocking fund now is that they are not needy. they drive up to the center in brand new SUVs, most own homes and businesses here, they are well dressed, the children are well dressed, they get free food from WIC as well as free medical care, free child care, free education and most of the money they earn does NOT go back into the community. i may love these friends but i cannot agree with how they think about our island or how they use the r.s.fund and pass this philosophy on to their children. it’s just too bad because as you said charity does not discriminate.
It’s surprising how many persons go through life without ever recognizing that their feelings toward other people are largely determined by their feelings toward themselves, and if you’re not comfortable within yourself, you can’t be comfortable with others.
– Sydney J. Harris
I respect everyone’s feelings and right to choose to give to these organizations or not. I know that the Red Stocking Fund weeds out a number of applicants each year, applicants must have references and the references do get checked. The board members do “catch” a few each year before they slip through the cracks. But one hug from a crying mother thanking me for what we have done for their family is enough to tell me that the Red Stocking Fund is doing the right thing. Again, as with moving here, the children didn’t buy the fancy clothes and SUV’s. They should not be held accountable for their parents’ choices. They should be able to enjoy the best holiday they can, as is true for all of us during this season of giving and goodwill. Happy Holidays to all.