COAT & TOY DRIVES

The public can support the mission of Debbie’s Treasure Chest by participating in these 2 projects:

*1st annual Neil Perry Coat Drive: Drop off new or gently used coats (for newborns through senior citizens) at City Hall, the Methuen Police Station or Debbie’s ground-floor location at 15 Union St., Suite G32 (enter through Door H), in Lawrence. Drive ends Nov. 22.

*11th annual Holiday Toy Drive: Bring new unwrapped toys to the Methuen Police Station, 90 Hampshire St., or to City Hall. Drive ends Dec. 12.

If your organization or business would like to collect coats or toys, contact Lauren Carroll at lcarrolldtc@gmail.com. To volunteer or drop off items, contact Lauren.

By Nancy Reardon
and Melissa Fili
MethuenLife Writers

The gratitude felt by 3 adopted girls many years ago has morphed into the non-profit Debbie’s Treasure Chest, which today gives away coats and toys – by the thousands – to needy people across the Merrimack Valley.

For their dedication to supporting disadvantaged and at-risk families, DTC last month received the Methuen Exchange Club’s highest honor: The Book of Golden Deeds.

DTC “started in the Harvey family garage in 2007 and now services 10,000 people yearly with clothing, hygiene products, school supplies, career guidance and youth opportunities,” explained Exchange emcee Jack MacLeod during the event at The Irish Cottage.

Linda Harvey accepted the award on behalf the group’s founders – her daughters Maxine and Talia Harvey and their friend Anna McCabe – as well as DTC’s staff and volunteers. Debbie’s Treasure Chest is named for the girls’ favorite social worker, Debbie D’Iorio.

Linda announced that their coat collection has been renamed in honor of the city’s departed mayor who was so passionate about DTC’s work.

“Neil Perry was an amazing advocate for us. He was constantly personally there to help, was not only donating money and clothing, but was always in person to see what we needed,” Linda said. “He was a wonderful human being, a true humanitarian … every year for the past several years, we’ve done a coat drive. And we’ve decided to now call it the Neil Perry Coat Drive.”

She explained the explosive growth their organization has seen, noting they work closely with MAN Inc. DTC has gone from having 10 area families referred each week to 48 families.

The non-profit also hosts an annual Warming Event where 50-plus agencies (like social workers, doctors and counselors) “shop” at no cost for basic necessities for their clients. Last year alone, DTC gave out over 2,000 coats.

Their Toy Drive – started by Talia and Methuen Police Sgt. Derek Licata – last year distributed 5,000 items.

“Sometimes (the agencies) give them to the parents and Santa Claus shows up. And kids don’t just get one toy. We want them to have a great Christmas like everyone should,” Linda explained.

There’s also a teen-gift program for foster kids, called Hazel’s Holiday Heroes.

State Rep Ryan Hamilton and Mayor’s Office Chief of Staff Tina Conway presented citations to Debbie’s Treasure Chest.

Hamilton said. “I’ve gotten to see first-hand what Talia, Maxine and Linda do, boots on the ground … Whenever there is an issue here in the Merrimack Valley, they’re here and they’re helping, doing everything they can – along with their staff – to help people who need it the most.”

Earlier in the month, also at the Irish Cottage, the club also recognized a top veteran as well as proud patriots who fly the American flag on their property.

Ken Ackroyd was named Veteran of the Year. In October 1966, Ken was drafted into the U.S. Army and served in Vietnam with security clearance as he printed maps and “trig lists” for artillery. After the war, Ken returned to his job as a printer for The Lawrence Eagle-Tribune. He married in 1975 and made his home in Methuen. Ken is a lifetime member of the Methuen VFW Post 8349 where he serves as the post chaplain. He is also a member of the American Legion Post 122. As a member of the Methuen Senior Activity Center, Ken serves as the treasurer.

The Bonanno family was honored with the Proudly We Hail resident award for their dedication in flying the flag on Bonanno Court. For 114 years, Old Glory has been flying high there. It started with Clementi Bonanno who immigrated from Italy in the 1900s. He was very proud to be in America and, being a land owner, he erected a flagpole adjacent to the main house on Bonanno Court. That flagpole still stands today, having gone through many American flags. It proudly waves, honoring of Clementi and the Bonanno family in their pursuit of the American Dream.

Charles Bonanno spoke on behalf of his family, saying, “We are grateful for everything my grandfather did for our family.”

The Methuen Sons of Italy Lodge 902 was the recipient of the Proudly We Hail business award for their commitment to flying the American flag. The flag is flown along with the Italian flag and POW/MIA flag as well as the flags from all branches of the Armed Forces. This award holds significance, as it celebrates the commitment to the patriotism and community service which are values dear to the Sons of Italy.

SOI President Armand Buonanno said, “Thank you for this honor. We are happy to do our role in the city of Methuen.”