What started as a collective in the East Bay to gather toys, clothing and home goods for those in need during Christmas, is growing into what could be a year-round effort.
ByLamorinda Care Collective is growing into what could be a year-round effort after originally being started for the holidays.One of her family's favorite holiday traditions was the Do Gooder Garage, where she'd invite her friends to make year-end donations and meet her favorite local organizations.Wanting to grow beyond the garage, Enista Smith set out to find an empty space that could hold an even bigger dream.
With Maya Enista Smith's will, Marissa Smith found a way: an unused space in Lafayette owned by Diamond Construction builders."So it was one of the quickest, most urgent labors of love that we've ever put together," said Enista Smith. Families and those in need were welcomed in every language. Their, often brand new, items were gift-wrapped.
"I invited the community in Lamorinda to give, and I was blown away by the response," said Enista Smith. "It's been the best thing I've ever done in my life.""The needs that we helped families meet don't go away. If anything, they get exacerbated," said Enista Smith.The Lamorinda Care Collective will be operating out of a space on Oak Hill Road for as long as it can.
"There's nothing special about me. There's nothing special about Lafayette. Anybody, everywhere can do it," said Enista Smith.
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