Mission: To improve, develop and care for the health, welfare and general well being of residents of the greater Webster community.

In the 2007 year, the Webster Community Chest assisted many in our area. We are the organization that many first think of when times are tough.

• 2,102 visits to the Tuesday Perishable Food Distribution
• 255 Food Cupboard visits
• 2,182 calls to the Community Chest
• 195 Holiday food baskets distributed to Senior Citizens and other families in need
• 74 children received Christmas gifts
• 31 children received a summer recreation scholarship
• 17 children received school supplies
• 30 families received rent support
• 8 others received financial assistance for RG&E, medications, miscellaneous
• 200 computers (from Webster schools) distributed to qualifying local families

We are committed to helping organizations that strengthen our community by providing activities, and services for residents. We like to extend our resources to organizations for projects that may need extra funds. Organizations can write to Webster Community Chest 1000 Ridge Rd. Webster NY 14580 to request funds. The President may call the contact person and ask that they attend the next meeting to explain their project.

In 2007, we supported the following:

• SEPTA (Special Education Parent Teacher Association) for scholarships to children in special education
• Webster Senior Citizens
• Webster Theater Guild
• Webster Museum building fund
• Webster PTSA

The Webster Community Chest maintains the Medical Equipment Loan Closet with the assistance of the Parks & Recreation employees who sign the equipment in and out.

Wheelchairs, walkers, canes and crutches are available, at no cost, to residents of the greater Webster community.

Equipment is available during regular business hours. To check on availability, please call 872-7103.

The Chest provides assistance with food for those Webster residents in need. The Food Cupboard is set up as a mini grocery store of nonperishable food and personal care products. All items are donated by Webster businesses, churches, schools, scout troops and individuals. The Food Cupboard is open by appointment and the individual is asked to provide proof of Webster residency and the reason they are in need. Shopping at the Cupboard is free and available on a temporary basis until a crisis is past or other solutions are found.

Each Tuesday evening there is a distribution of perishable food (vegetables, fruit, bread, dairy products, etc.) that has been regularly donated by Wegmans (Holt Road and Eastway), Hegedorns, BJs, Tops, Schutt's, Panera Bread, and Diamond Delights Bakery. Families who meet income guidelines are welcome to come as often as needed. Approximately 40 dedicate volunteers oversee this weekly program. Pictures of volunteers at the food cupboard. (Link opens a new window.)

Each Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas food baskets are assembled for families who qualify. School-aged children, in eligible families, also receive Christmas gifts.

School aged children, in families who qualify, may register to receive Christmas gifts. These new gifts are provided by the Community Chest, schools, churches, businesses, scout troops, individuals, and families. In addition, each year Hegedorn's puts up a tree with ornaments of needed items which can be taken from the tree and the item returned to the store.

Each child will receive clothing along with toys, games and books that they have checked off on a "wish list."

Our Christmas Gift Volunteer Coordinator spends several months preparing the information needed, organizing the names and wish lists with those in the community that want to "adopt" the children, and overseeing the 23 volunteers who will spend two weeks wrapping the gifts and getting them ready for the distribution.

The children's faces light up and the parents are very grateful. For some families, this is the only Christmas gifts they receive.

Shirley Miller was the Community Chest benefit's counselor for three decades. During those years, Shirley became the most visible part of the Community Chest working with those who most needed assistance. Each year the Webster Community Chest Awards Shirley Miller Scholarships to Webster Seniors who have also served the community through their service.

The Webster Community Chest provides summer camp scholarships to children in Webster families that qualify.  These scholarships are available for the Fun Camp programs offered through Webster Parks & Recreation.