01940 Winter 2020

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10 | 01940From Lynnfieldto ChelseaBY GUTHRIE SCRIMGEOURAs a long-time school nurse, it makessense that Denise Weaver would step up tohelp those in need during the COVID-19pandemic.Weaver lives in Lynnfield but works atthe Excel School in Chelsea, so fostering abond between the two communities is veryimportant to her.She helped build a bridge between thetwo regions this year by setting up a massivedonation drive in Lynnfield to help those inChelsea affected by the pandemic.It started in April, when Chelsea SchoolCommittee Chairperson Kelly Garcia sentout a request for donations to her networkin the Chelsea school system.Weaver, who had worked as Kelly’smiddle school nurse at Excel Academy,answered the call. She put out a Facebookpost requesting donations on a Lynnfieldcommunity page.“I never post on that,” she said. “But Ithought, 'what the heck. Why don’t I try?'”The community response was enormous.Weaver was able to fill an entire van withdonations of food and other supplies.The donations are coordinated anddistributed by the Chelsea Collaborative,a community organization that focuseson a variety of issues facing the ChelseaLatinx community, including tenants’ rights,employment initiatives, and feeding andclothing those in need.Weaver communicates with theCollaborative to determine what sorts ofsupplies they need most. After her initialwork with the Collaborative, she began toexpand the types of donations she collectedfrom food to diapers, baby wipes, clothesand personal hygiene products.The first time Weaver dropped off herdonations, she was shocked at the need thatshe saw.“There were lines for three blocks,” shesaid. “And it clicked: these people needhelp.”Since then, Weaver has delivered avan full of donations to Chelsea everysingle week.“I just haven’t stopped,” she said.During the summer, she coordinateda toy drive so each family could get atoy along with their food and supplies.Lynnfield was able to collect two van-loadsof high quality toys for children in Chelsea.“It was like Christmas in July,” she said.The support from the Lynnfieldcommunity reached all the way across thecountry. One former Lynnfield resident whohas since moved to California contactedDenise and let her know that she hadordered a box of supplies from Amazon.“When my van is full, I take it over,”she said.Garcia, who also works with theChelsea Collaborative, estimates that herorganization has been able to give away7,000 boxes of supplies daily -- much ofwhich were collected from the Lynnfieldcommunity.“I can’t express how grateful we are toDenise and the Lynnfield community,” said
WINTER 2020 | 11Garcia. “I wish that I could send a virtualhug to anyone that has helped this cause.”Garcia’s cousin died in May leavinghis partner unemployed and struggling tosupport her children during the pandemic.The Lynnfield community stepped up againin a big way.“Denise rallied the troops again and didanother donation drive,” said Garcia. “Andwe were able to clothe our three little boys.”Weaver plans to continue the donationdrive for as long as necessary.“It made people feel really good,” shesaid, “We can’t do much. But if we gave aof food, we”bag did something.”Opposite page: Denise Weaver of Lynnfield unloads a car full of diapers as she makes a donation to helppeople in need during the COVID-19 pandemic. Above: Denise Weaver, right, stands with members of theChelsea Collaborative, from left, Gladys Vega, Joe Reese II, Jesus Murillo, Tanairi Garcia, and Kelly Garciaafter making a donation of diapers and other products.PHOTOS: SPENSER HASAKWe can’t do much.But if we gavea bag of food,we did something.— DENISE WEAVERMORTGAGES TO FIT YOUR EVERY NEEDMEMBER FDIC / MEMBER DIF EQUAL HOUSING LENDER NMLS #406738
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01940 Winter 2020

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