Be A Santa For Some Local Teens

There is a population of homeless and displaced students in the area that need our help. Local social worker Alia Butler is working with families from Huguenot High School, George Wythe High School and Armstrong High School. This year they are starting a holiday gift giving program for all the homeless families within these 3 schools. It’s a simple program where each member in the family gets a gift. Unfortunately the need is so great that Alia doesn’t think she can accomplish her goals with just the students and staff of the schools. Therefore, she is reaching out to the community surrounding these schools to see if people within the community can help fulfill the holiday wishes of these homeless families.

The wishes range from video game systems and guitars to simple clothing items and toys. They are asking for the items given to be new or gently loved…so people are able to give items they may already have if they are in good condition. Alia lives in the Forest Hill community so would be able to easily pick items up from people in the area or they could drop them off, whatever would be easier. If you would like to help send an email to abutler3@richmond.k12.va.us and she’ll send you list of the gift requests. She would like to collect all donations by 12/11 in order to have time to distribute them to the families. More information is available on the Facebook page Richmond Public Schools McKinney-Vento Holiday Program. Please “Like” and “Share” to help get the word out.

If there are other local charity events going on please let me (richard.hayes13@yahoo.com) know and I’ll post them.