This month, we are proud to spotlight Lynne Corry, founder of Giving Friends, who has been a Delivering Good partner for years. Giving Friends supports vulnerable families in NY by hand delivering clothing, toys, school supplies, and other essential items. In this Delivering Good Spotlight, Lynne talks to us about her organization’s mission, shares a story about how they were able to respond to a disaster earlier this year, and highlights the importance of community in her work.  

Can you tell me about your organization’s mission - how does Giving Friends help families in New York?  

Giving Friends helps by bringing joy and practical support to families during holidays and year-round - we hand deliver toys, clothing, and other essential items to people. We began with an annual toy drive over 25 years ago, and now we are proud to say that we distribute to and help thousands of families and individuals.  

There was an apartment fire in the Bronx earlier this year where many people were injured, and lost their homes or were displaced. How was Giving Friends able to respond to that? 

A woman named Dolores was living in the apartment where the disaster unfortunately happened, and she received hygiene kits that were donated through our partnership with Delivering Good - things like a toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, and soap. And we also delivered slippers - shoes are some of the most needed items after a disaster like this, especially in cold weather. We hope that this donation can give Dolores and her family some stability and comfort in this extremely difficult time, where she and many others have lost their homes and so much of their belongings.  

What is the value of community in the work you do?  

The value of the work we do at Giving Friends - with a little help from our friends and community partners like DG - strengthens and enriches those in need. From migrants, families living in shelters, and the working poor as well as anyone experiencing a crisis - our giving squad is there! Our goal is to provide essentials to create positive change and uplift the families we serve. Our team takes great pride in all of our giving - together we are providing support where it is needed the most.  

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Lynne’s story is an incredible one – her dedication to giving back to a community that once helped her is what created Giving Friends. Organizations like Lynne’s are so important for families and individuals experiencing hardships like homelessness, poverty, disaster, or addiction. Delivering Good’s partnership with Giving Friends comes from the shared mission of helping people move forward with confidence and joy, and the knowledge that when we band together, our impact can go even further.  

It’s not just clothing. It’s a starting point. 📦💙