Three hundred families from throughout Rhode Island are still looking for individuals, businesses, fraternal organizations or corporations to sponsor their holiday wish lists for the 2017 Children's Friend Spirit of Giving Holiday Drive. Warm pajamas, warm coats and clothing, boots, hats, mittens, blankets, books, toys, and games are all being sought from generous area donors to ensure that the holidays bring hope and joy to children most in need.

"Our kids' needs are simple and not extravagant. We're working hard to make sure that our school-aged children (and their families) are dressed appropriately for the cold weather that will surely hit us in the coming weeks, and we'd like to give them a toy, game or book to add a little joy to their holiday," said Children's Friend President and Chief Executive Officer David Caprio. "A new article of clothing with the tags on it, a blanket of their own or a book that they can keep can mean a lot to a child to a lot of the kids we see every day. In spite of a recovering economy, we know that there are still many families that are suffering in our area."

The Children's Friend Spirit of Giving Holiday Drive runs from Thanksgiving until December 23. Last December, more than 800 individual, community and corporate sponsors worked together with 350 volunteers to make the holidays happy for 5,050 Rhode Island children (1,528 families) at the holidays.

"While we would like to help everyone in foster care, Head Start, WIC or any of the other programs we provide, our social workers have to prioritize families; we can provide clothing and gifts to only those who are most in need," added Caprio.

Working with the parents of these children, Children's Friend social workers meet to prepare a wish list of winter essentials that they are lacking, noting kids' favorite colors, sizes and (often character themes) to try and make the holidays personalized and special. Gifts are delivered by the social worker to each home, along with holiday-appropriate wrapping paper, tape and bows, to allow parents the dignity of wrapping surprises for their own children.

Unwrapped donations of warm clothing, boots, jackets, pajamas, books, toys and games for the annual Spirit of Giving Holiday Drive can be dropped off at Santa's Village in Providence Place, at any Panera Bread location in Rhode Island or at the Children's Friend headquarters, located at 153 Summer Street in Providence, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. For information on how to sponsor a family, make a donation, or volunteer, visit spiritofgivingdrive.org. You can also call 276-4346 or email holidaydrive@cfsri.org.