E.F. Corcoran Plumbing and Heating Supports MHA’s Good to Go Program

SPRINGFIELD — A donation from E.F. Corcoran Plumbing & Heating is helping to restock the Mental Health Association’s (MHA) supply of personal-care items for the vulnerable population it serves.

“Our supply of personal hygiene and other sundry items has been depleted with the demand for services we have met through the pandemic, and the generous donation of supplies for our Good to Go program from Alyssa Toomey, owner of Corcoran Plumbing, means we will once again have personal-care products available,” said Kimberley Lee, MHA’s vice president of Resource Development and Branding. “Many individuals, especially those coming from emergency situations for residential rehabilitation services for mental health and substance use, or in need of transitional housing from living on the street or in temporary shelter, or for better placement with developmental disabilities, come with little in their possession.”

MHA launched its Good to Go initiative in 2018 to ensure individuals arriving in MHA programs would have access to needed personal-care items, often purchased with discretionary funds provided by donations, or by companies like E.F. Corcoran that purchase and donate them.

“There are a lot of people with mental-health challenges who need help or rehabilitation services for a drug problem or who were born with a developmental disability and require support,” said Susan Toomey, vice president at E.F. Corcoran Plumbing and Heating. “All of us either know someone in these circumstances or know of someone in these circumstances. We should just be there for them: it is the right thing to do, and it is nice to know that there are organizations, like MHA, who can help.”

Toomey said she purchased “a little bit of everything” for the Good to Go program.

“Items for the kitchen, like ClingWrap; personal-hygiene items, like shampoos and conditioners and toothbrushes; sanitary napkins for the women; and even a few things for individuals with dentures,” she said. “Also, dryer sheets and socks, as everybody likes socks.”

Toomey said she knew about MHA through Corcoran’s work with for the property-management group that services MHA residences.

“My niece, myself, and two of my friends played in MHA’s golf tournament last year,” said Toomey of MHA’s largest fundraiser, the annual Wellness Classic golf tournament, being held for the 24th year in 2022 at the Country Club of Wilbraham. “It was a lot of fun, and I’ve already committed us to do it again this year.”