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NEWPORT — ‘Tis the season for ghosts, goblins and turkeys but thoughts of Christmas are already in the air. At the Willey-Perra Community Giving Program in Newport, it’s Christmas throughout the year.
Before gifts are put under trees each year, work has already begun on the next. There is inventory, clean up, follow up and always looking for help from the community to make each year a success. And that is the real story of the program.
The Newport Community comes together every Christmas, as it has done for 37 years, to ensure that every child wakes up on Christmas morning to gifts of toys, and warm winter clothing. The generosity of so many people is unmatched and overwhelming.
Every day of the season, children and their parents stop by the Petal Patch Florist on Main Street to donate money and toys. Every civic organization and area churches can be counted on to take tags off trees and return the requested gifts. Some spend hundreds of hours knitting or creating toys. There are those who collect cans all year and turn them in to purchase shiny bicycles.
And there is a cadre of volunteers who diligently wrap each and every gift. This year, Jeff Scarinza, of Newport Chevrolet Buick GMC will donate all proceeds from a comedy show on Nov. 10 to Willey-Perra. Ironically, it was the former Dartmouth Motors that hosted the “Give” for more than 10 years
The estate of former teacher Brenda Huff recently donated many educational materials from her former store, “The Tattered Pages.” Tom Brennan has generously donated the current space on Main Street, as did Bill Hoyt when the program was housed on South Main Street. Nothing defines “Community” as well as the Willey-Perra Program in Newport. Whether a recipient or one who donates, the Sunshine Town always comes through.
It was in 1981 that James, “Jimmy” Willey, who coached the Goshen-Lempster Little League Team, knew that some of the families would have a hard time at Christmas. With humble beginnings, Willey went up and down Main Street soliciting toys from the Western Auto, donations from businesses, like the banks, to buy more.
Loaded in the trunk of his car, he delivered all on Christmas Eve as Santa’s helper. Willey had a massive heart attack just after Thanksgiving in 1989 at the age of 38 and his family decided the best way to honor his memory would be to keep giving toys. The Town of Newport has been answering the call ever since.
It was Ron Perra, and the owner of Dartmouth Motors, who welcomed the program for the first 10 years. Donations could be brought to the dealership and on “Give Day” parents could select toys for their children. Members of the Perrra and Willey families supervised the event each year. Upon Anne Perra’s passing from breast cancer in 2001, her name was added to the program.
There have been a few locations since. all donated spaces, including the current one on Main Street, as the program started with approximately 100 children to the current average of 300. The best days for the Willey-Perra Volunteers, is “Give Day,” Dec. 15 this year, and the day when a family that has been helped no longer needs it and becomes a volunteer.
Among the largest fundraisers is the International Red Star Baton Twirlers Holiday Spectacular at the Newport Opera House, at 7 p.m. on Dec. 1. Every year this show rings in the holiday season in Newport with a cast of talented performers as young as age 4.
This year’s cast is coming off a performing tour of Paris, France where they became the first baton twirlers invited to perform at Disneyland, Paris. This was a huge accomplishment, considering the high standards of all Disney properties around the world. You can see their Paris show by going to the Red Star Facebook page.
Rehearsals for Newport have been ongoing since September and will include some of the Paris routines as well as adding a little French flair to the show itself. Mark your calendars for the perfect family show produced by Willey’s sister, Gina Hutchinson, and her staff at Red Star Productions. All proceeds from this show go directly to the children of Newport, thanks to the generosity of the Opera House Staff and Newport town employees.
Show time is 7 p.m., Dec. 1. Tickets for $7 each will be available at The Petal Patch starting Nov. 15 or at the door 30 minutes prior to the opening curtain. With holiday cookies and raffles for bicycles, baskets and gifts donated by area businesses, it is a full family evening at The Newport Opera House.
Welcome the holiday season with the Red Stars on their first stage performance since Paris and help Newport’s children have a Merry Christmas, 2018.
The deadline for applications to Willey-Perra is Nov. 15. All who participated last year received one in September and others may get an application at The Petal Patch, 2 Main St., Newport. If you know someone in need, please pick up an application. Late applications will not be accepted.
For any questions, please contact Donna Mahair at 863-3833 or any of the Board of Directors: Ella Casey, Sandy Cherry, Kathy Gestay, Brittany Hamel, Gina Hutchinson, Erna McCormack, Ron Perra, Candy Saindon or Judy Wilson. Visit Willey-Perra Community Giving on facebook or email [email protected]@gmail.com
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