New Year, New Story

This is Paul Buckley from the Seekonk Lions Club. Thank you again for taking the time to read my articles in this wonderful publication.

Last month, in December 2025, I had the privilege of making the annual visit to the Doorways Food Pantry at the historic North School. If you recall, I mentioned Doorways last year, highlighting the incredible support and compassion these dedicated volunteers provide to those in need right here in Seekonk. The response I received from that article was overwhelming, and it reminded me once again of the profound impact that kindness can have. After this recent visit, I felt compelled to share another story about the extraordinary team at Doorways.

When I contacted Gerry McCabe, now the CEO of Doorways (congratulations, Gerry!), that I planned to visit, he warmly invited me to come on December 13th for “Toy Day.” He said, “You’ll be impressed by the event and it’s good for the soul.” I wasn’t exactly sure what “Toy Day” entailed, but I trusted his word and eagerly committed to being there that Saturday.

Arriving at the North School lot early that morning, Gerry kindly pointed out a spot for my truck. As I stepped out, I was greeted by Paul Hodge, one of the longtime volunteers whose warm smile immediately put me at ease. We exchanged greetings, and I took a moment to absorb the scene around me.

While I was chatting with Paul, Gerry was nearby, engaged in a heartfelt conversation with a woman and her friend. As I approached, I quickly realized that this was not an ordinary visit. The woman, visibly upset, had recently lost her mother, a resident of Seekonk, and was clearly overwhelmed by grief. She seemed to be a regular visitor to Doorways, seeking comfort and support. I watched quietly as Gerry and Paul gently, patiently listened, offering words of solace and understanding. Their kindness was palpable, a testimony to their genuine compassion. I was in awe of how they handled the delicate situation with such grace and empathy.

After a while, when the woman’s tears subsided and the moment seemed to ease, Gerry looked at me with a warm smile and said, “Your timing couldn’t have been more perfect, Paul.” Moments later, we took some photos with the two of us shaking hands with myself handing over a well-deserved check to Gerry, he took me to the front entrance to show me what “Toy Day” is all about

Gerry then led me to the front entrance, eager to show me what “Toy Day” was really about. Inside, I met Brian McGovern, a tall, approachable guy, eager to share the story behind this special event. He began explaining how Toy Day at Doorways started back in 2018, inspired by his middle school daughter Kaylen McGovern’s small Christmas toy drive in their neighborhood. That drive, initially modest, quickly grew as community members responded with generosity and enthusiasm.

When I arrived around 9:30 a.m., the shelves and tables were nearly empty. Brian showed me a heartfelt video capturing the overflow of toys, clothes, and supplies they had collected and started with that morning… over 1,200 items in total. Every visitor to the pantry received a special entrance card, allowing them to select gifts, clothes, or whatever else their families needed most. Brian explained, “Many people can’t afford to buy gifts for their children or grandchildren. That’s what this day is all about, bringing a little joy to families in need.”

So, what’s the connection to Doorways? Brian shared that after Kaylen’s initial collection in 2018, they weren’t sure where to take all the donations. Overwhelmed but inspired, they turned to Doorways, which welcomed their efforts with open arms. What began as a small neighborhood drive quickly blossomed into an ongoing partnership, growing each year with more donors and more support.

Brian introduced me to his wife, Jennifer, whose pride and passion for their work were evident. She emphasized how their family, network of donors and volunteers has grown, fueled by a shared commitment to giving back. Kaylen, now a young woman, continues her community service outside of school hours by volunteering at Doorways.

Brian also mentioned that any remaining donations are taken to Angel’s Care Closet in Briarwood Plaza. Melissa and her dedicated team there welcome these donations…clothing, shoes, toiletries, school supplies, and more, for local residents facing hardships. It’s another example of hope in our community, and readers might consider supporting Angel’s Care Closet with a donation of their own.

I hope this story touches your heart as it did mine. Our community is truly blessed with organizations and individuals dedicated to lifting others up. If you find yourself with a few extra dollars after your holiday shopping, please consider supporting these efforts as they genuinely make a difference. Speaking of which, if you’d like to join us at our next Seekonk Lions meeting to listen, share, and learn more about the great work we do, I’ll be happy to share the details.

January 15, 2026, we will hold our next Seekonk Lions meeting with at the American Legion Post 311 351 Fall River Ave @ 7pm. Stay tuned for the local cuisine that will be on our dinner menu on our website. Thank you for your continued support.

Paul

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