NEW BEDFORD — After a New Bedford mother and teen son died tragically in a rollover crash on Route 195 earlier this month on Sept. 6, South Coast Harvest Festival organizers — with the help of the New Bedford Police Department — are trying to "bring light to a dark situation," according to a flyer promoting collection efforts.
The donation drive is aimed at helping one of the crash survivors — the 15-year-old daughter of the late Gladys Ivelisse Colon Kuilan, 35, and sibling of the late Willniel Osorio-Colon, 13.
According to a flyer promoting the donation collection, the 15-year-old "not only lost her mother and little brother in the accident, but also her home when the car that she was living out of was totaled."
The flyer notes the 15-year-old, and an older sibling, are both awaiting placement. "Organizations are currently working on securing housing for the siblings," the flyer, put out by South Coast Harvest Festival, reads.
What is needed?
According to the flyer, South Coast Harvest Festival has put together a raffle to raise funds to support the 15-year-old survivor's needs in particular.
"Please note, because of (the siblings') current living situation, we cannot collect donations consisting of clothing, shoes or furniture because they do not have a place to store these items while permanent placement is determined," South Coast Harvest Festival posted. "We also don’t know exactly what will be needed until housing is secured."
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In the meantime, organizers' suggestions include "monetary of gift card donations to stores where groceries, clothing, furniture, household items, school supplies, or other necessities can be purchased are also welcome."
How to help
Organizers have set up several ways to collect donations:
- Through Sept. 23, items can be dropped off at the South End New Bedford Police Station, 912 Brock Ave.
- At the festival itself (Sept. 27-29), a locked postal box will be available for drop-offs "by the merchandise counter in the artisan marketplace," organizers wrote. This is also where raffle tickets will be available.
- Donations can also be mailed to South Coast Harvest Festival, LLC, P.O. Box 3433, Westport, MA 02790.
For more information on donating, the listed contacts are shannen.scharvestfest@gmail.com, and michelle.scharvestfestival@gmail.com.
From earlier this month: Family of New Bedford mother and son who died in car crash reach out for help: How to give
When is the festival?
The South Coast Harvest Festival 2024 will run Sept. 27 through Sept. 29, at the Westport Fairgrounds in Westport. As listed on the event's official Facebook page, admission will be $10 per adult, $5 for kids ages 5-12, and free for kids under 5.
"Join us for live music and entertainment, local food trucks and vendors, an artisan marketplace, children’s activities, yard games, professionally designed garden displays, mechanical bull rides, pony rides, a petting zoo, agriculture, community involvement, and so much more," organizers wrote.
Start and close times are as follows:
- Friday, Sept. 27: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Saturday, Sept. 28: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Sunday, Sept. 29: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
According to organizers, raffle winners will be announced/contacted at the end of the festival's last day on Sept. 29. "Participants do not need to be present to win," organizers wrote.
For more information, including a vendor list and more, visit southcoastharvestfestival.com .
This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: South Coast Harvest Festival, NBPD team up to help a teen survivor of deadly 195 crash
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