Worcester County Sheriff’s Office yearly effort includes stops in Fitchburg, Leominster

Worcester County Sheriff Lew Evangelidis and staff from the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office recently delivered thousands of brand-new winter coats for community members in need.

According to a press release, they visited Gardner CAC, Alyssa’s Place in Gardner, Restoration Recovery Center in Fitchburg, Community Health Connections, the Leominster Police Department, Leominster Women’s Recovery Center, Leominster’s Spanish American Center, and several other local nonprofits. These Northern Worcester County visits were part of the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) Annual Winter Coat Drive, which included more than thirty stops countywide.

Beyond their stops in North Worcester County, Sheriff Evangelidis and his team delivered coats to nonprofits in the greater Worcester area and Southern Worcester County, ensuring residents across the region have access to warm winter apparel as the cold weather approaches.

“Handing out these coats each year is truly a joy,” Evangelidis said. “They represent far more than a warm layer for winter. They reflect a community and law enforcement organization that cares. The individuals who receive these jackets are always grateful, and this drive gives our department a special opportunity to connect with the communities we serve.”

The WCSO distributed a total of 4,000 winter jackets during the month of November, warm coats that were purchased by the Worcester County Reserve Deputy Sheriff’s Association, a nonprofit that raises funds year-round to support the coat drive and other community-focused programs.

“The Sheriff’s Annual Winter Coat Drive has made a tremendous impact on Alyssa’s Place, ensuring our members have the warmth and dignity they deserve through the cold months,” commented Brady Wagoner, program director at Alyssa’s Place, a peer recovery and resource center in Gardner. “Each donation not only meets a basic need but strengthens the sense of care and community we strive to build every day. This generosity extends far beyond our center, touching families throughout the greater Gardner community and reminding us all of the power of showing up for one another.”

This year’s initiative was made possible thanks to the generosity of many community partners including Saint Francis Community Health Care, The Gun Parlor, Mercadante Funeral Home, Cliff & Susan Rucker Foundation, The Krock Family & Commerce Associates, CareOne at Millbury, The Overlook, Diamond Auto Group, KAL Construction & Remodeling, Chop Chop Convenience, Falcone Enterprises, NEPBA Local 550 Worcester County Correction Officers, Pat’s Service Center, Quality Companies, Rockland Trust Bank, and Pam Massad in memory of ‘Duddie’ and Bette Massad, along with numerous additional supporters.

“The level of support we receive each year is remarkable,” Evangelidis said. “Every contribution directly helps make our communities stronger and safer.”