By: Ashley Hillman
Community Collaborations Director
It was a week before Christmas when a UWSL board member called our CEO, Deborah Bayle, and asked how he could help make Christmas special for families who may not have the means to provide basic necessities for their children, much less provide gifts. It was decided that providing families with Target gift cards would be the best strategy. To be honest, I wasn’t quite sure if all of the community learning center coordinators would respond positively to the offer because it was, indeed, merely a few days before the fall school session was ending for the students. With all of the regular holiday festivities and chaos that ensues at this time of year, I did not know what to expect. I was thrilled that each of the coordinators enthusiastically jumped at the offer, despite the extra amount of work it would require for them to coordinate.
Five community learning centers received 15 Target gift cards, each valued at $200, to distribute to families needing a little extra assistance this holiday season. The result was astounding. Coordinators reported stories of mothers shedding tears in response to the generosity of an individual who will likely never even meet the families whom he has touched. Families wrote thank you notes and even provided family photos, which will all be passed along to the donor.
How could I have ever thought that the community learning center coordinators would be reluctant to help touch the lives of the families they encounter each day? Yes, it took some extra work on their part to make this happen, but they made it happen. And because of it, families may have a little more food, some warm clothing, and the ability to have provided a memorable Christmas for their children. This is an example of the priceless generosity that is present in our very own community, and I don’t know about you, but it makes me proud to be a part of it.
