Service Project- Birthday Gifts for Kids in Shelters

Dear Mann Community,

Housing Forward, formerly PADS, was so impressed with our blanket drive efforts last year that they asked if we would join them in an exciting service project. They received a grant through the Future Philanthropists Program that our Student Council members, under the direction of Mr. Hayward, Mrs. LaHucik, and help from Mrs. Sullivan, have been working hard on and want to share with you.

There are three main components of the grant. First, we received money to create 13 activity kits for the local shelters and two Prevail sites. We are filling the kits with games, books, crafts, etc. that can be used by the preschoolers – fifth grade students living in the shelters. The second part is an educational piece. Our student council members are learning about homelessness and how they can make a difference in the lives of those affected by it. Finally, the third part involves our wonderful community.

We would like to provide birthday gifts for the kids living in the area shelters. Over the next three weeks, we will be collecting donations in Mrs. Sullivan's office. As you will see below, the items consist of toys, clothing, and other interests of the children. Other age appropriate items would be welcomed.  For the teenagers, gift cards (such as Visa) would be wonderful to help them acquire their wishes. Items should come to school unwrapped and labeled such as "Girl, 2 yrs." The Student Council Members will organize, wrap and deliver the donations. ****Donations will be collected through February 1st. It is with your help, we can achieve this third part of the grant. Grade levels have been each assigned two children.

Grade Level	Children in shelters	Family wishes
Kindergarten	Girl (2yrs) Boy (19 yrs)	Clothes; underwear; educational toys Pants (26 waist; 34 length)shoes;  needs his laptop fixed
1st Grade	Boy (1 yrs) Girl (16 yrs)	Pampers size 3; clothes; educational toys American Girl Doll; clothes; art items
2nd Grade	Girl (9 yrs) Boy (17 yrs)	Boots, coat, (likes blue/purple; chocolate and Wizard of Oz) I-tunes gift card; music posters; football
3rd Grade	Girl (2 yrs) Girl (15 yrs)	Summer outfits (size 2T); stuffed animals with big eyes; I-tunes gift card; nail polish; jewelry; clothes size 8
4th Grade	Girl (2 yrs) Girl (15 yrs)	Clothes; toys (favorite color is pink) Drawing sets; paints; sketch pad; hair clips
5th Grade	Girl (8 yrs) Boy (17 yrs)	Shoes and boots (size 7-8); Pikachu;  reading and art items Clothes – size 32; jeans t-shirts; socks; pictures of Rugby

Thank you in advance for your generosity in helping with this grant,

Jim Hayward, Ann LaHucik and Cheryl Sullivan

4th and 5th grade Student Council Members