Birthday Closet- Gifts for kids
Donation protected
The YMCA Birthday Closet needs toy funds:
This charity will benefit greater than 500 homeless children in Sarasota, Florida. These children are currently in various status's; some are staying at the YMCA Youth Shelter and some are staying at the Sarasota Adult Shelter or on the street. There are some that have been identified as unaccompanied homeless youth within the Sarasota High School.
The funds raised are being used to purchase birthday toys for these homeless children. The Sarasota YMCA Program Director - Schoolhouse Link and our two boys are using the funds to purchase new toys ,a nd are placed in the YMCA Birthday Closet located at the Local YMCA. The YMCA Director is coordinating with the local schools so each homeless child and/or a family member will be given the opportunity on their birthday to select a gift from the Birthday Closet. There have already been a few children who have recieved a birthday gift from the birthday closet.
This charity initiative started a little over a month ago and there are boxes located in 4 different locations for people to donate toys. The Birthday Closet space provided by the YMCA is very accommodating and can be filled with toys and gifts immediately. The boys have already gone shopping with the program director and have purchased toys for the closet, they have enough for 1/5 of the children homeless in the Sarasota community
"The YMCA Birthday Closet is very special to me, because it gives back to a small place where kids need dreams. It makes me feel sick inside, because all I have to worry about is my grades and they are worried about where they’re going to sleep and what they get to eat each and every day. I hope that other people get out of this, that it is no joke, that not everyone has a roof over their head and more than enough food to eat; but more than that I hope they help my brother and I to do this small thing - Give some less fortunate kids a happy little dream for their birthday."
By: Matthew, Grade 5, Community Day School
The Community Day School has been an integral part of helping our boys to learn about community outreach and Joshua has been learning about persuasive writing in his 3rd grade class. His letter is written below:
"You should try including kids that just sit alone. We together can help kids that are poor. They have nothing. Just imagine if you give one toy per person. I believe that we can stand together and help the poor. Now do you choose to help? If you do, then I’ll be waiting. Will you wait? Just imagine having nothing – no sports stuff, no stuffed animals, no minecraft, no Mario games and no Nerf Gun’s! So will you stand with me? Yes, maybe, or No! So let’s give - if you are scared, I’ll be right by your side. So give to the poor and they will be happy and you might make a tiny smile!"
By: Joshua, Grade 3, Community Day School
It would be very exciting if people would provided funds to this effort. This is a kids helping kids initiative and it is so wonderful and hopeful for kids to be involved in their community and care this way. The brothers have intiated this local Birthday Closet idea and have placed a box at their school and several other locations. After the Head of School received their letters; the school has agreed to assist the boys with their efforts. Receiving these additional funds allows them to purchase toys to make the local YMCA Birthday Closet a dream come true for kids that need a little boost and hope.
This charity will benefit greater than 500 homeless children in Sarasota, Florida. These children are currently in various status's; some are staying at the YMCA Youth Shelter and some are staying at the Sarasota Adult Shelter or on the street. There are some that have been identified as unaccompanied homeless youth within the Sarasota High School.
The funds raised are being used to purchase birthday toys for these homeless children. The Sarasota YMCA Program Director - Schoolhouse Link and our two boys are using the funds to purchase new toys ,a nd are placed in the YMCA Birthday Closet located at the Local YMCA. The YMCA Director is coordinating with the local schools so each homeless child and/or a family member will be given the opportunity on their birthday to select a gift from the Birthday Closet. There have already been a few children who have recieved a birthday gift from the birthday closet.
This charity initiative started a little over a month ago and there are boxes located in 4 different locations for people to donate toys. The Birthday Closet space provided by the YMCA is very accommodating and can be filled with toys and gifts immediately. The boys have already gone shopping with the program director and have purchased toys for the closet, they have enough for 1/5 of the children homeless in the Sarasota community
"The YMCA Birthday Closet is very special to me, because it gives back to a small place where kids need dreams. It makes me feel sick inside, because all I have to worry about is my grades and they are worried about where they’re going to sleep and what they get to eat each and every day. I hope that other people get out of this, that it is no joke, that not everyone has a roof over their head and more than enough food to eat; but more than that I hope they help my brother and I to do this small thing - Give some less fortunate kids a happy little dream for their birthday."
By: Matthew, Grade 5, Community Day School
The Community Day School has been an integral part of helping our boys to learn about community outreach and Joshua has been learning about persuasive writing in his 3rd grade class. His letter is written below:
"You should try including kids that just sit alone. We together can help kids that are poor. They have nothing. Just imagine if you give one toy per person. I believe that we can stand together and help the poor. Now do you choose to help? If you do, then I’ll be waiting. Will you wait? Just imagine having nothing – no sports stuff, no stuffed animals, no minecraft, no Mario games and no Nerf Gun’s! So will you stand with me? Yes, maybe, or No! So let’s give - if you are scared, I’ll be right by your side. So give to the poor and they will be happy and you might make a tiny smile!"
By: Joshua, Grade 3, Community Day School
It would be very exciting if people would provided funds to this effort. This is a kids helping kids initiative and it is so wonderful and hopeful for kids to be involved in their community and care this way. The brothers have intiated this local Birthday Closet idea and have placed a box at their school and several other locations. After the Head of School received their letters; the school has agreed to assist the boys with their efforts. Receiving these additional funds allows them to purchase toys to make the local YMCA Birthday Closet a dream come true for kids that need a little boost and hope.
Organizer and beneficiary
Matt C
Organizer
Sarasota, FL
schoolhouse link
Beneficiary
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