HELP BRING joy and diversion from treatments to hospitalized children by donating a new unwrapped toy to the Mighty Meredith Project’s annual Fill the Box drive. The kick-off event is this weekend at the Masonic Lodge, 283 Park St. MMP elves who prepared gifts for a special delivery to The Floating Hospital for Children at Tufts Medical Center during a previous year’s drive were: (seated, from left): Faith Newton, Brianne Slattery, Kayla Budny and MMP founder Meredith Casey; (standing, from left): Tiara Lamont, Molly Giunta, Mary Majeski, Jenna DiNapoli, Karleigh Budny, Annie Kuperstein and Shea Tully. (Karen Casey Photo)
Published Thursday, November 11, 2021
NORTH READING — The North Reading Masonic Lodge is hosting a new toy collection for the Mighty Meredith Project (MMP) this Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 13 and 14, from noon to 4 p.m. at 283 Park St.
The Mighty Meredith Project is in need of new toys, games and gift cards to help children who find themselves in local hospitals at different times of the year, and more specifically during the holiday season.
The Masons hope to give the maximum support for such a great local group. The Mighty Meredith Project is run by North Reading teenager Meredith Casey with the support of her mom, Karen Bradlinski Casey, and they are looking for new toy donations to support their “Fill the Box” mission of giving these toys to children.
There is a “wish list” on their social media page, but MMP is looking to collect any type of new toys or gift cards that residents think a child would want to receive. They stress that these toys need to be unwrapped; the MMP volunteers will take care of the wrapping.
“Remember when donating that everything is appreciated, and the age ranges vary from toddlers to young teens. If you are able to support the efforts, but cannot shop or swing by those collection days, there is a ‘donate now’ option on the Mighty Meredith Project home page,” stated Matt Libby, a North Reading Mason who is helping to coordinate the effort.
The toys, games and donations are brought to Meredith’s wrapping station where volunteers will match the toys with the proper patients and families to help make the holidays a little brighter for them and their families.
To learn more about the Casey family and their story visit: www.mightymeredith.com
North Reading Masons are a community-based group of men who enjoy helping others. “We work with local groups who share a similar desire to make our community better and to bring joy to those in need. Under the leadership of William McIntire, the North Reading Masons have provided assistance to many local groups and individuals. And, the Masons are very pleased to provide a collection location for such a worthy group, such as the Mighty Meredith Project,” Libby said.
MMP is special to Libby as he and his family unknowingly benefited from the Mighty Meredith Project when his son, Christopher, found himself in Tufts Floating Hospital a few years ago. “Bringing a child to the hospital can be very scary and unsettling for a family. So, when the nurse brought a gaming system to Christopher, it provided a much-needed distraction for the patient and family to get through a difficult and intense time,” Libby recalled. “And my family didn’t receive special treatment; this is a typical experience for young patients entering the hospital. The Mighty Meredith Project helps countless families through its Be Kind mission and the generous donations from caring people in the community.”
The November 13 and 14 collections at the Masonic Lodge represent a major collection event to kick off the annual campaign to benefit the Mighty Meredith Project. In 2020, the weekend event received over 500 donations from North Reading residents. The goal is to surpass that amount and spread more joy to more families during the 2021 holiday season.
