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By Jill Harmacinski , Staff Writer
METHUEN – You don’t have to be a grown up to change the world. Just ask the three girls behind Debbie’s Treasure Chest.
Talia Harvey, 8, her sister Maxine, 11, and Anna McCabe, 12, are winning all kinds of recognition for their charity, Debbie’s Treasure Chest, which collects and distributes toys, clothes and toiletries to kids who fall into Department of Social Services custody at a moment’s notice. The girls have a warehouse at 350 Merrimack St. in Lawrence – a resource for social workers looking to fill up backpacks.
The girls have items for kids of all ages, but they are really trying to target the “forgotten kids,” teenagers who land in state care.
During a recent open house at the warehouse, the girls happily led tours, showing visitors clothing, toys and shoes they’ve already collected. The girls are now seeking donations of new coats, toys, infants clothing and items for teenagers. Salvatore Lupoli, the owner of the warehouse building, donates space to the charity.
The girls said they spend about 10 hours per week working on charity causes. And, they said they’d love to see more kids get involved with their year-round efforts.
A host of local politicians, Methuen Mayor William Manzi, Sen. Steven Baddour, D-Methuen, Sen. Susan Tucker, D-Andover, and Congresswoman Niki Tsongas, D-Lowell, all presented the girls with citations.
“Their example shows other kids that if you work hard you can have a real impact,” Manzi said. “You can make a real difference … You don’t have to be an adult to be charitable.”
The charity, which started in a garage, is named after Debbie D’Iorio, a devoted local social worker who died in November 2006.
“I’m so proud they are keeping Debbie’s memory alive,” D’Iorio’s mother, Terry said Monday night. “She’s smiling from ear to ear … She really fought for the kids. She was an awesome, awesome girl.”
Maxine and Talia, students at Tenney Grammar School, are the daughters of Methuen lawyer Linda Harvey. Andover Pike School student Anna McCabe is the daughter of Mary McCabe, a Lawrence lawyer.
Mary McCabe stressed the Debbie’s Treasure Chest is not just a “Christmas charity.” The kids work all year long to help others.
“The need doesn’t end in January,” she said.
Keep the treasure chest full
All year long, Debbie’s Treasure Chest collects and distributes clothes, toys, electronics, toiletries and books to children in the Department of Social Services care.
New winter coats, toys and infants’ clothing, particularly for boys, is now needed.
The charity’s warehouse at 350 Merrimack St., Lawrence, is open Monday and Wednesdays 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., Friday 10 a.m. to noon and Saturday 1 to 3 p.m.
For more information, call (978) 688-2232 or (978) 686-9800 or check out www.debbiestreasurechest.org.