The celebration of Thanksgiving last week has ushered in the holiday spirit – including the spirit of giving.  Nowhere is that more evident than at the Chester County Economic Development Council (CCEDC) where Facility Manager Kathleen Nader has been busily organizing the efforts to support our fellow Chester County residents. 

This fall, through her efforts and the generosity of her colleagues, CCEDC provided 794 pounds of Thanksgiving turkey to the Chester County Food Bank. 

In the each week leading up to the holiday featured  a theme – Pasta Mania, Veg-o-rama, Souptacular, and Tunapalooza to name a few.  In addition to the turkey donation, the other food items collected yielded an additional 890 pounds which brought the total to 1694 pounds. 

CCEDC’s lobby is overflowing with additional donated items which will be taken to the food bank on Wednesday, December 6 and the goal is to reach one ton of donated food.

This year CCEDC was approached by valued partner TMACC to help with their Foundation for the Improvement of Transportation (FIT) 4th Annual Veterans Gift Drive. 

Donations of new items such as bedding, kitchenware, towels, small appliances, clothing, personal care items, cleaning supplies, and more will be distributed to veterans in transition, patients of the Veterans Affairs Medical Center and clients of the Veterans Multi-Service Center.

According to Nader, “the need in our county is great and we at CCEDC are humbled to do our part to help those in need, especially at this time of year.”  She continued that the Veterans Gift Drive “is open to anyone as we are a designated drop off location.  If you want to bring a little cheer to someone who risked their lives so we can continue to live ours with freedom, please feel free to stop by and put something in the donation box.” 

If you would like to participate, items are being collected now through December 15 for the veterans and food bank donations will be accepted through December 6.