Trio of Methuen girls applauded for charitable efforts
By Jill Harmacinski , Staff Writer Eagle-Tribune
—
METHUEN - You don't have to be a grown up to change the world. Just ask the three girls behind Debbie's Treasure Chest.
Talia Harvey, 8, her sister Maxine, 11, and Anna McCabe, 12, are winning all kinds of recognition for their charity, Debbie's Treasure Chest, which collects and distributes toys, clothes and toiletries to kids who fall into Department of Social Services custody at a moment's notice. The girls have a warehouse at 350 Merrimack St. in Lawrence - a resource for social workers looking to fill up backpacks.
The girls have items for kids of all ages, but they are really trying to target the "forgotten kids," teenagers who land in state care.
During a recent open house at the warehouse, the girls happily led tours, showing visitors clothing, toys and shoes they've already collected. The girls are now seeking donations of new coats, toys, infants clothing and items for teenagers. Salvatore Lupoli, the owner of the warehouse building, donates space to the charity.
The girls said they spend about 10 hours per week working on charity causes. And, they said they'd love to see more kids get involved with their year-round efforts.
A host of local politicians, Methuen Mayor William Manzi, Sen. Steven Baddour, D-Methuen, Sen. Susan Tucker, D-Andover, and Congresswoman Niki Tsongas, D-Lowell, all presented the girls with citations.
"Their example shows other kids that if you work hard you can have a real impact," Manzi said. "You can make a real difference ... You don't have to be an adult to be charitable."
The charity, which started in a garage, is named after Debbie D'Iorio, a devoted local social worker who died in November 2006.
"I'm so proud they are keeping Debbie's memory alive," D'Iorio's mother, Terry said Monday night. "She's smiling from ear to ear ... She really fought for the kids. She was an awesome, awesome girl."
Maxine and Talia, students at Tenney Grammar School, are the daughters of Methuen lawyer Linda Harvey. Andover Pike School student Anna McCabe is the daughter of Mary McCabe, a Lawrence lawyer.
Mary McCabe stressed the Debbie's Treasure Chest is not just a "Christmas charity." The kids work all year long to help others.
"The need doesn't end in January," she said.
Keep the treasure chest full
All year long, Debbie's Treasure Chest collects and distributes clothes, toys, electronics, toiletries and books to children in the Department of Social Services care.
New winter coats, toys and infants' clothing, particularly for boys, is now needed.
The charity's warehouse at 350 Merrimack St., Lawrence, is open Monday and Wednesdays 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., Friday 10 a.m. to noon and Saturday 1 to 3 p.m.
For more information, call (978) 688-2232 or (978) 686-9800 or check out www.debbiestreasurechest.org.
Warehouse donation helps Methuen charity run by children
By Jill Harmacinski Staff Writer
METHUEN - They used to pile all the toys, stuffed animals and toothbrushes on tables in a garage.
But now, thanks to Sal Lupoli of Lawrence, three schoolgirls who run a local charity have warehouse space to work with.
Last week, the girls behind Debbie's Treasure Chest moved into space at a Merrimack Street warehouse near Sal's Restaurant. The donation was the latest for the charity, which collects toys and other items for children in Department of Social Services custody.
The Sons of Italy, Northern Essex Community College, 3M and Greater Merrimack Human Resources Association have all made recent donations to the charity.
Maxine Harvey, 11, her sister, Talia, 7, and Anna McCabe, 12, all work together to collect items for children in DSS care. They load up backpacks with items they can give to children when they have to leave their homes or when they are placed in foster homes.
"Sometimes, they can only take a bag full of things with them," said Maxine Harvey, explaining the need for donations.
The nonprofit organization is named after Debbie D'Iorio, a longtime area social worker who died last November.
The group recently raised $4,500 at a Spring Fling fundraiser. Last winter, the group collected 6,500 items during a toy drive. Toys, games and new clothes were all donated to the Lawrence DSS office.
"I'm really glad I can help," Maxine said.
For more information about the charity, check out www.debbiestreasurechest.org.
Our new treasure chest
Getting it together
LAWRENCE EAGLE TRIBUNE
Published: 11/30/2006
Three girls hope to donate 3,000 gifts this Christmas
By Stephanie Chelf Staff writer
METHUEN - It looks like Christmas came early for three local girls as they sorted through bags of new toys dropped off by a friend. But the toys aren't for Talia and Maxine Harvey or their friend Anna McCabe.
All of the toys, books, games and clothes that have piled up around the house are being donated to the Lawrence Department of Social Services.
Talia, 7, Maxine, 10, and Anna, 11, have been conducting a toy drive every holiday season for as long as they can remember. Now, with the help of their parents, the girls have distributed fliers, solicited businesses for help, and asked guests at holiday parties to bring a gift to donate. After giving 2,000 toys away last year, the girls hope to give away more than 3,000 this year.
All of the items will go to DSS and children living in the state's care in group or foster homes. It's a cause that's special to all three girls because they were all adopted as infants.
"It helps a lot of people," said Maxine, a Tenney School fifth-grader. "It's fun to do. Every year we have a Hanukkah party and have everyone bring a toy."
The trio is focusing on collecting gifts for children 10 years and older.
"(DSS) gets a lot of things for babies, but not a lot for kids our age and teenagers," Maxine said.
This year, the toy drive has a special meaning. It has been named Debbie's Treasure Chest, after Debbie D'Iorio, who was a longtime social worker at DSS who died tragically earlier this month in what has been ruled an accidental drowning.
D'Iorio's sudden death saddened the girls, who had worked with her ever year on the toy drive.
"Everyone loved her. She really loved the kids," said Anna, a sixth-grader at Pike School in Andover. "We thought it should be named for her."
D'Iorio's family is eager to be part of the drive. Family members have brought bags of toys for the girls to donate.
Talia and Maxine's mom, Linda Harvey, and Anna's parents, Kevin Herlihy and Mary McCabe, are proud of their daughters' commitment to the toy drive year after year.
"As the season is coming, you try to get them to understand what Hanukkah and Christmas is all about," McCabe said. "It's not just what I want, but what do other kids want."
Thanks to Sal Lupoli, DTC is set to operate year round. Sal generously donated warehouse space for us to store all the items we have collected. Volunteers from Temple Emanuel helped set up the new location with painting and sorting. 2007 will be a great year.
In 2006, we stored and sorted the items at the Harvey's garage. DSS social workers could come and "shop" at Debbie's Treasure Chest. We had to stock the garage the 5 times.
