Webutuck Teachers Associationhosts clothing and toys giveaway

AMENIA — The Webutuck Teachers’ Association will be hosting their annual Clothes and Toys Giveaway on Saturday, Feb. 22, from 10 a.m. to noon at the NorthEast-Millerton Library Annex.

“We’ve been doing it for probably around 10 years and the purpose of the event is just to be able to provide gently used toys and clothes to the Webutuck community,” said Monica Baker, Executive Vice-President of the Webutuck Teachers’ Association.

Every year the Association has been using the same space, the NorthEast-Millerton Library Annex, to host the giveaway. With Baker’s previous experience, the beginning of the event is the busiest, with Baker noting, “We’re there for the two-hour block. So it goes very quickly. We just have what we have. And when it’s gone, it’s gone.”

The response has been positive. “We’ve had years where people are waiting outside the door before we open,” said Baker. “It’s always been very well-received. There’s usually pretty good attendance, especially right in the beginning, and then people continue to trickle throughout the event.”

The donations for this event are provided by the members of Webutuck Teachers’ Association. Donations range from infant to adult clothing, shoes and toys. The event is open to all members of the surrounding communities.

“People just show up, and they can take whatever they need. I think people are really understanding and respectful of that,” said Baker.

Those in attendance have been asked to bring their own take-away boxes or bags. A limited number of bags will be available from the Association.

“The NorthEast-Millerton Library promotes it and we promote it by sending it out to our students and their families,” Baker said. “But we have had people come from neighboring communities.”