This special feature celebrated the 60th anniversary of Citizens for Citizens (CFC), highlighting its enduring mission to help people achieve self-sufficiency. The organization, headquartered on Griffin Street, has continuously adapted its services over six decades. Key programs include child care, afterschool and summer programs, early Head Start and Head Start, and food pantries. The feature paid tribute to past leaders, including executive director Mark Sullivan, who served for decades, and Elizabeth, who began her career in child care at age 15 and now manages budgets. A significant focus was placed on Operation Christmas, which began in 1977 when Barbara Travis rallied women to collect and distribute toys. This initiative evolved into a beloved live auction and telethon, broadcast on Fall River Cable TV channel 13 and WS radio, which for 30 years delivered toys to children, with 3,200 children receiving new toys through the program. The segment also recognized the efforts of individuals like Tom, Bill, John, Tom O'Ry, and Lopez Lenny Klin, who participated in the telethon. Barbara Travis, who passed away in 2022, was remembered for her energetic presence and tenacious work ethic, embodying the foundation built by her and Mark Sullivan that continues to support the community 60 years later.
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Citizens for Citizens is like an old friend. Constant, compassionate, selfless, and quietly serving with little fanfare.
0:10I think our mission of helping people try to become self-sufficient um is still, you know, very impactful and what we do here, but we just want to lend a hand. CFC headquarters is on Griffin Street. The location has been added to and regional centers opened. The agency continuously pivots to provide relevant services. I have to commend the staff, not just the current staff, but the
0:39staff of the last six decades. Um, we've been very lucky. We had strong leaders to make CFC reach 60 years. Mock Sullivan was the executive director for decades and his passion was helping people and fighting for people. At age 15, Elizabeth began her CFC career working in child care. Now, after years of juggling budgets, she said she works well with changing administrations at
1:09the local, state, and federal level. You know, we do see heartbreak and you know, the moms coming in for the toys or, you know, parents that are trying to get ahead, trying to work, but child care is so expensive. So, it's great that we have child care programs. We have, you know, the afterchool program, the summer program along with early Head Start and Head Start and then the Operation
1:32Christmas program. We have food pantries. I remember vividly Mark telling myself and a few directors that you are one paycheck away from being on the opposite side of the desk. And I have never ever I'm getting choked up forgotten that. In 1977, Barbara Travis rallied civic-minded women to collect gently used toys, clean and make repairs when needed, then organize citywide distributions. This act of charity
2:04morphed into Operation Christmas, the area's beloved live auction and fundraiser that for 30 years delivered joy to children who might otherwise go without.
2:183,200 children will receive new toys through this program.
2:23Tom, Bill, and John, all on TV raising money for needy kids. You see, Operation Christmas was the program's name, helping Citizens for Citizens gain citywide fame.
2:47When you grow up with this and you see this and you live this, you don't want this to happen to anybody. This is a little way of us people who have good jobs to come out and help the people who don't have anything to make sure that the kids do get something for Christmas.
3:02I need uh donations. I I need that the people that have come for years that dropped money in the fishbowl.
3:09Hi. Uh we're here at the Fishbowl at the Harbor Mall in the director's chair.
3:12And welcome back to the Operation Christmas Teleathon live from the Harbor Mall on channel 13 fall river cable TV and WS radio. I'm Tom O'Ry along with uh Lopez Lenny Klin.
3:25Hearing soon it will be Christmas day.
3:38Whether or not it's white or or something else. I think that what we really mean is that everyone will have a happy Christmas. So is the future hall of famer pet store.
3:45What's the name of that store?
3:46Animal.
3:47All the money you bid, we don't keep.
3:49Goes for a great cause. We It goes right back to the city of For all the great and went out on commission $51 and 110's gone from the America back in uh in July and and they did a great performance in and everyone loved it.
4:0212 to 6 with our grand finale here.
4:16Travis passed away in 2022, but people remember her boundless, joyful energy in front of the camera and her tenacious attitude, moving non-stop behind the scenes, working to provide, helping anyone who asked. That was the foundation built by Barbara Travis and Mark Sullivan 60 years later and still on solid ground.