When promised donations of shelter and holiday gifts for five families fell through, one local company came to the rescue just in the St. Nick of time.

Each year, domestic violence agency RESPOND, Inc. of Somerville puts out a simple call for donations. They ask for holiday gifts, toys and household goods, which they then give to families facing—and escaping—domestic violence. The gifts brighten the holidays for survivors and their children. The household goods help them set up new, safe households.

But this year, at the last minute, donations for five families fell through.

"When the company that originally sponsored the families notified RESPOND that they would be unable to fulfill the Holiday Wish Lists, the agency was left desperately seeking a replacement sponsor so they could provide the families with a much-deserved holiday," said a statement from RESPOND. "P&G Gillette Boston came to the rescue immediately."

The Boston company came through a last-minute, sizeable donation that RESPOND said "will cover the costs of providing food, gifts, shelter and holiday decorations for [all five] families, who otherwise would not have been able to afford a holiday celebration."

"There's no better time of year to help underserved children and their families," said Damon Jones, Global Communications Director, P&G Gillette. "When we were made aware that there would be families from RESPOND'S shelter without Holiday Wish List sponsors, we knew we could make a difference. As a member of the Greater Boston community, we are thrilled to be able to help make Christmas a bit brighter for these children."

RESPOND is grateful to all of the local donors. This year, enough donations were made to provide holiday support to 84 families, and the agency notes that, "For survivors, the holidays can be a particularly difficult time.”

But they have special praise and thanks for P&G Gillette Boston.

"P&G Gillette Boston has been an amazing supporter of RESPOND, but this gift, made on short notice, is a true testament to their commitment to the community," said Jessica C. Brayden, Executive Director of RESPOND. "P&G Gillette Boston has made an enormous difference for five deserving families with this grant, and for thousands of other survivors thanks to the projects and initiatives, large and small, that they have funded for RESPOND through the years.”

Donations of much-needed gift cards to local grocery stores, pharmacies, easily accessible department stores and MBTA passes are needed year-round. To donate, please contact Kristen Rice at kristen@respondinc.org or visit www.respondinc.org.

About RESPOND

RESPOND provides direct services to approximately 5,000 domestic violence survivors and their children every year through individual counseling, a 24-hour crisis hotline (617-623-5900), emergency shelter, support groups, children's services, advocacy, legal support in the courts, community outreach, and educational programs.  Based in Somerville, RESPOND serves communities throughout Greater Boston and beyond with a special emphasis on Everett, Malden, Medford, Melrose, North Reading, Reading, Somerville, Cambridge, Stoneham, Wakefield, Winchester and Woburn. Services are free, confidential, and available in Spanish, Portuguese, Haitian Creole, French and English. 

If you or someone you know is in an abusive situation, please call RESPOND's 24-hour hotline at 617-623-5900. For more information on programs, volunteer opportunities or to make a donation please call 617-625-5996 or visit www.respondinc.org.

This article contains edited material from a RESPOND press release.