One area woman's wish to help children in need
-->By: Jennifer Lee
Updated: November 1, 2012
Today marks the beginning of National Adoption Month, and one organization is honoring the start of November with a day of caring.
The United Way of the Valley and Greater Utica Area gave away dolls to area agencies that deal with children in Herkimer and Oneida Counties.
It all happened thanks to one woman's wish to help children in need.
The United Way of the Valley and Greater Utica Area receives donations of various kinds throughout the year.
But, the Executive Director says this type of donation is a first for them. "We're distributing over 150 dolls that a donor had collected through her lifetime. And wanted to make sure those got into the hands of young people that would really appreciate them," said Brenda Episcopo.
The collector was the late Eleanor Roscup of Remsen. The United Way chose five agencies that adopted these dolls to give to abused and neglected children or young people whose families are struggling financially.
Beverly Quist of the peacemaker program is one of the agencies adopting thirty dolls. She says today is significant for their organization.
"What we do is train volunteers to work at the request of the court to work with abused and neglected children. We are thrilled to be here today in part because two of our children are being adopted," said Quist.
Other agencies like catholic charities in Herkimer County and the Thea Bowman House are some of the other organizations that adopted the dolls.
