Andover Community Leader: Alyssa Kelly Of The Caring Closet

ANDOVER, MA — Without community leaders, Andover wouldn’t hum along nearly as smoothly as it does. We’d miss their contributions in big and small ways.

Patch has partnered with T-Mobile to recognize these often unsung community leaders and celebrate their contributions.

This submission comes from Melissa Hawley, a Andover reader who nominated Alyssa Kelly.

How do you know this community leader?

Neighbor

What does this community leader do?

Runs an organization out of her home "The Caring Closet" to help children in low-income or foster situations with clothing needs. She goes out of her way to find car seats, safe sleeping spaces (pack and plays, etc.) formula, diapers and wipes. She also rescues discarded kittens and nurses them back to life all while being a wife, mother and a full time nurse!

Why do you believe the community leader should be recognized or honored?

Alyssa's organization, The Caring Closet is never closed; she can be found out collecting donations or even personally shopping herself to fill needs, while car loads of donations are constantly dropping off to her house and volunteers are organizing bags to be distributed on a regular basis. But Alyssa can be reached at nearly all hours of the day for emergent situations too. I personally have been in an emergent medical need recently and not only was she able to help me find medical supplies she and her daughter, who is falling in her footsteps, took the time to put together a care package for my 8-year old. Alyssa thinks of everyone in her community, all the time.

What's one thing you want everyone to know about the community hero?

When it looks like Alyssa is busy with one project (filling requests of clothing bags and essential baby items for local nonprofit, Neighbors In Need) she is likely also doing three more (buying and then bringing food to the community pantry, dropping off a meal and supplies at a sick neighbors house and stopping by to help guide a caretaker of a sick kitten). She is also truly a wonderful neighbor, friend, mother and nurse!

This content is brought to our community in partnership with T-Mobile.

Know a community leader who deserves a shout-out?

Nominate them here.