Children's Friend 2018 spirit of giving holiday drive could still use donations

Posted 12/13/18

Infant necessities and warm clothing for kids of all ages top the request lists for the 2018 Children's Friend Spirit of Giving Holiday Drive. More than 1,600 families with 5,500 children have made a holiday wish list and are looking for help this

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Children's Friend 2018 spirit of giving holiday drive could still use donations

Posted

Infant necessities and warm clothing for kids of all ages top the request lists for the 2018 Children’s Friend Spirit of Giving Holiday Drive. More than 1,600 families with 5,500 children have made a holiday wish list and are looking for help this holiday season. Cash, in-kind gifts, gift certificates and volunteer hours are all welcome donations for the drive that puts warm clothing and toys in the hands of our state’s neediest children at the holidays.

“While the economy has improved for the majority of Rhode Islanders, many of the families we serve are facing escalating rents and food insecurity in our state’s urban centers,” said Children’s Friend President and Chief Executive Officer David Caprio in a statement. “Some struggle to get full-time work at minimum wage jobs and when the paycheck has been cashed, there’s little room left for extras like a new coat or a toy at the holidays. We want to make sure that Rhode Island’s children are safe, warm, dry and happy this winter.”

 The Children’s Friend Spirit of Giving Holiday Drive runs from through December 21. Individuals, churches, fraternal organizations and businesses are encouraged to step forward and sponsor a family or make a cash donation. “Every child is deserving of some holiday happiness. When you pick up a coat for your kids, please consider picking up another for someone else. Or make a cash donation in someone’s name as a gift this holiday season and let us purchase what is needed with discounts generously provided by area businesses. One hundred percent of what is collected goes right back out into the community.”

Last December, more than 875 individual, community and corporate sponsors worked together with 449 volunteers to make the holidays happy for 5,200 Rhode Island children. This year, Children’s Friend is focused on helping 10 percent more children. “We have the volunteers and a dedicated staff. We want to bring as much cheer as possible to as many kids we can in the communities we serve,” added Caprio.

 Unwrapped donations of new warm clothing, boots, jackets, pajamas, books, toys and games for the annual Spirit of Giving Holiday Drive can be dropped off at the Children’s Friend Gift Grapping Station on the first floor at Providence Place from December 13-21, at any Panera Bread location in Rhode Island through December 12, or at the Children’s Friend headquarters from December 3-21, 153 Summer Street in Providence, during normal business hours (Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 5:30 p.m.).

What makes this campaign different from other “adopt a family” holiday programs is that the recipients participate in year-round Children’s Friend programs and are selected by social workers who know them well and recognize their family’s needs. Children’s Friend social workers do regular home visits with the families who participate in foster care, Head Start, and WIC (the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children). With first-hand observation of families’ employment and living situations, Children’s Friend social workers prioritize those families who are struggling the most and give them a place on the holiday list. (Depending upon on the generosity of donations, approximately 13 percent of those who participate in the year-round educational, parenting or work programs will be selected to receive gifts, based on their economic circumstances.)

The Spirit of Giving Holiday Drive involves many people from the community in the giving process – donors, volunteers, social workers and parents. People and organizations give money, goods, their time and in-kind services; every participant in the Drive is focused on bringing hope and joy to children at the holidays. In October, the social workers connect with the parents (or caregivers) to make a list of winter essentials that their children require to arrive at school warm, dry and ready to learn. Donations from the public start arriving at Children’s Friend in November and with the help of volunteers, a warehouse is transformed into a “store” where the social workers “shop” for clients. By arranging donations by sizes, colors and character themes, social workers can select holiday gifts that are personalized and meaningful for each recipient. After gathering gifts for each family on their lists, the social workers deliver them directly to each home, along with holiday-appropriate wrapping paper, tape and bows. Parents (or caregivers) wrap the gifts and present them to their children on their holiday.

For information on how to donate, sponsor a family or volunteer visit spiritofgivingdrive.org. You can also call 276-4346 or email holidaydrive@cfsri.org.

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