Big Blue Bargains has donated $5,000 to the Swampscott Integrated Preschool to support music education.
The nonprofit thrift store presented the donation during the Swampscott School Committee meeting on August 28. The contribution aims to “enhance and expand the preschool’s music curriculum and related activities.”
“They have limited enrichment,” Big Blue Bargains Board Member Katie Kirleis said. “We became aware of that and thought this would be the perfect way to include something into their routine.”
School Committee Chair Amy O’Connor called the donation “terrific.”
“I had heard word from a local mom that was working in the preschool for a bit, and it was just word of mouth,” Kirleis said. “We’re open. Come talk to us.”
The integrated preschool serves children ages 3 to 5, preparing them for kindergarten and lifelong learning. According to the public school website, the program offers a structured, language-based learning environment aligned with the Massachusetts Framework curriculum.
Learning takes place in one-on-one, small-group, and large-group settings, using a developmental teaching philosophy and principles of applied behavioral analysis.
“As someone in the past whose child used the integrated preschool, I think it’s just great what you guys are doing,” School Committee Vice Chair Glenn Paster said. “It’s incredibly generous.”
In July, Big Blue Bargains made its first major donation, $4,000 to the Swampscott Middle School PTO, to fund alternatives to the eighth-grade Washington, D.C. trip.
“We’re getting our footing in the community again and just doing what we can,” Kirleis said.
The 501c3 thrift store has been part of the Swampscott community since 2012. Over the years, it has supported a variety of local causes, including the Lions Club eyeglasses drive, Swampscott High School life skills classes, the Friends of the Swampscott Library, and local school sports programs.
Big Blue Bargains is accepting donations of:
- Clean clothing with no rips, stains or missing buttons, no undergarments, socks or adult nightwear. In season preferred.
- Gently used household items and decor
- Linens and fabric
- Jewelry or fragile items of value
- Handbags
- New and like new toys, games and puzzles
- Current hard cover and soft cover children’s and teen’s books in new or like new condition
- Art work
- Small rugs – No larger than 5-feel by 8-feet must be in new or like new condition
- Small current tabletop/desk lamps in working order – no old lamps with old cords
- New self care products in original packaging
- Brand new small electrical appliances
- Luggage with wheels
- Cleaning supplies including Lysol wipes, trash bags, paper towels, cleaning sprays, etc.
100% of donations made to Big Blue Bargains go directly back into the Swampscott community.
