Buttons for Babes project helps children

REGION -- Chris Bourassa is a passionate volunteer who wanted to continue giving back to her community when her husband lost his job. So she started making one-of-a-kind bracelets with recycled buttons to support children who were homeless and living at a group home in Rumford. Her bracelets feature new and vintage buttons and no two are alike.

As demand for the bracelets grew, as well as local children’s needs, the United Way of the Tri-Valley Area offered to help. The United Way is engaging volunteers in this worthwhile project, acting as fiscal agent, and selling the bracelets.

Proceeds from the sale of these bracelets continue to support Rumford Group Homes, the area’s closest homeless shelter, and now children in crisis throughout Greater Franklin County. (This may include helping with transportation costs to medical appointments, providing basic needs such as food and clothing, or simply comforting a child by providing a new book.)

Bracelets are sold for a contribution of five dollars. Thanks to the generosity of Barclays, each contribution is then matched!

The United Way is looking for volunteers to help grow this effort to help meet the needs of area children and to take advantage of Barclays generous matching opportunity. All ages and talents are welcome. Do you like to sew? Do you have a button collection from your grandmother sitting in a drawer that you could donate? Would you like to help clean buttons and assemble kits at an upcoming workshop? Please contact the United Way at 778-5048! (Workshops will be held on Tuesday from 3-5 p.m. and/or Saturday, July 21, 9-11a.m. at the United Way Tri-Valley Area, 232 Broadway, Farmington.)