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PEOPLE PLACES& Wicked Wise Women of Westborough give back
WESTBOROUGH -
By Nance Ebert, Contributing Writer
What started as a simple Saturday morning visit to the local Arcade Shoe Repair turned into something so much more than that, bringing an entire community together to help a sick neighbor.
Janet Lavine visited the shop, owned by Bill Horne since 1974, to have a snap put on her daughter’s jacket and to get her belt fixed.
She had heard that Horne’s wife, Lynne, was ill and quietly asked his brother-in-law, Ron Parker, who helps out at the store on Saturdays, how she was doing. After hearing that she was struggling, Janet thought she would put together a basket of food and a couple of gift cards to help make Lynne’s life a bit easier.
She posted on the Wicked Wise Women of Westborough Facebook group to ask if anyone else would like to contribute. That private group has over three thousand members and looks to share interests and create community within the town. Almost two hundred people contributed immediately to Lavine’s effort.
“People were dropping off gift cards from local restaurants, home repair stores, gro-
Bill Horne, holding flowers donated by local business Faris Flowers, stands with Janet Lavine, who helped organize a recent outpouring of support from a local online community.
cery chains, etc. to my home,” Lavine said.
Some wanted to contribute money. So Lavine set up a Venmo account.
“It grew and grew!” she said.
Even local businesses got in on the community project, donating flowers.
Giving gifts in a time of need
Gifts in hand, Lavine soon returned to Bill Horne with gift cards, a basket full of treats and money for Bill to use as he pleases.
“To say that Bill was overwhelmed would be an understatement,” Lavine said. “He shed some tears, as did I. I told him how much he means to this community and he told me, quite simply, that he loves what he does and is so thankful for all of this. Even I was overwhelmed by everyone’s generosity.”
Continuing work as a familiar local destination
Bill Horne and his lifelong local business are beloved fixtures of town life.
Online during this recent outpouring of support, some chimed in with specific memories and reflections.
“He kept my beloved hiking boots alive for many years and now my daughter brings him her boots, belts and purses,” Customer Janet Anderson wrote “…Bill has been so helpful and we rely on him.”
Feeling gratitude in spite of COVID-19
With the pandemic looming, this past year, Horne has had to cut back his hours to only Saturday mornings, where the shop is now open from 8:00am until 12:00pm. Ron Parker opens the shop, these days, and Bill comes in later in the day to tackle repairs. “With my wife’s health issues, I simply could not expose myself, or her to this virus,” Horne said, recently.
He noted he and his wife both have now received COVID-19 vaccines. They’re set to get their second doses, soon.
As this pandemic does begin to pull away, it’s the recent goodwill from people like Lavine that is particularly uplifting Horne, though.
“I still cannot believe what the Westborough community has done for my wife and I. Serving this community for the past forty- nine years has not felt like a job at all. I truly enjoy what I do,” he said.
Hearing Horne’s appreciation, Janet Lavine has been responding with one goodhearted retort.
“I told him he can’t retire,” she says.
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Northborough woman helps bring dignity to women in need
NORTHBOROUGH -
By Liz Nolan, Contributing Writer
The number one most needed, but least donated item for women in need are menstrual products, followed by bras and underwear. Northborough resident Cathy Washburn and her daughter were inspired by the 2017 women’s march in Washington, DC. They decided they wanted to do something to empower women.
They discovered the I Support the Girls (ISTG), a 501(c) (3) charity with 54 affiliates across the globe. Washburn became the Massachusetts Affiliate Director in January 2017. The focus is on enhancing women’s dignity and fighting for menstrual equity.
The total number of items donated in the first four years was 354,382. In 2020, 208,556 menstrual hygiene products alone were donated--a 35% increase in product requests due to the impact of the pandemic.
“The need is real and that is not going away,” said Washburn. “Homelessness is on the rise, and women should not have to choose between food and menstrual products. As every woman knows, your period does not stop for a pandemic.”
Partnerships and volunteers
Items are donated, often through a community sponsored drive. Washburn has networked with almost 40 homeless shelters, food pantries, schools, domestic violence safe houses, and transitional organizations across the state to provide these needed items.
Washburn could not do the work alone; she has a small group of dedicated volunteers. It is with their help that she was recognized for donating over 213,000 items in 2020 to women in need and received the Silver Tampon Award.
Transporting items statewide has been possible with her partnership with Westborough based Provision Ministry.
“People are making it happen where the state cannot reach,” she said. “The problem is at the street level. People are doing unbelievable work.”
She said being part of the organization has given her the opportunity to meet women and see the change you can make in someone’s life.
Goals for 2021
Washburn will continue to raise awareness of the need and the mission of ISTG. She hopes to start applying for grants and seeking corporate support. That initiative will also include more community outreach, including high schools and college campuses.
She said when people think about the need, especially women, it’s a moment of realization.
Once COVID restrictions are lifted, she also will continue to work with Girl Scout troops, who can earn a badge for personal hygiene education and assistance with packing donations.
Advocacy to make real change will be a priority. One area of change relates to the fact that Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits do not currently cover the purchase of pads or tampons. In some states, these products are taxed.
Cathy Washburn and former intern Sophie Greer dropping off products in Boston. Tom Slicklen of Provision Ministry helps to deliver donations to Girls Inc. in Worcester.
Collect locally, donate locally is the goal
New and gently used bras, new underwear and hygiene wipes are collected too.
“Bras are like gold,” Washburn said. “They are expensive, but you need a clean bra to stand tall and feel confident.” Information on local collections and the best way to contact Washburn is through Facebook at I Support the Girls –Northborough MA. There is a Northborough hygiene product drive through the month of March. Items can be dropped at 26 Newton Street or order through an Amazon wish list with direct shipment.
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