Christmas in July
Some stories are too good not to be retold! This particular one is one I will cherish for many years to come.
In the Fall of 2022, very close to Christmas, a volunteer noticed how many kids at Jenkins White Elementary School in Augusta GA were going to go without toys, Christmas fun, or even basic needs items this year. Historically underserved, the students in this community are among the highest-need students in the district. Our volunteer decided she could not ignore the problem - these kids needed to have a real Christmas.
The volunteer reached out to Liz Adams from Hello Adams Family (a popular lifestyle blog with many caring followers based in Charleston, SC) whom she personally followed. She explained the basic needs at Jenkins White, including that most kids were hoping for new socks, pillows, and blankets for Christmas, not toys. Compassion was in the air and when Liz presented the opportunity to her followers to participate in a Go Fund Me, an overwhelming amount of funds was raised in less than a week!
Volunteers from Augusta University Medical (Occupational Therapy), the Augusta University Education Department, and the Augusta University Literacy Center along with the RISE Augusta staff got busy buying toys, books, and basic needs items including shoes, socks & undies, new hygiene items, and school supplies, transporting all of the goods to the school - thanks to Richmond County School System Transportation! This team orchestrated an incredible week of assembling and distributing “Christmas” to each of the children at the school. The “Hello Adams Family” fans combined with an incredible amount of energy drove all of these kind people to make it all happen before Christmas. A true feeling of generosity permeated the project down to the details. This unbelievable display of kindness will long be remembered!
Jenkins White Elementary was able to hold a whole school Christmas party with food, candy, and presents for everyone! Besides meeting some basic needs and providing Christmas treats and presents, this effort demonstrated to all of the kids how very special they are and that they had not been forgotten.
The fundraising was so successful that there was money left over to buy books for every student before they left for the summer! Recently, Jenkins White students got to browse the RISE Augusta free book fair and choose their own books to keep.
We want to thank Liz Adams and the community of caring people at Hello Adams Family for the incredible blessing you pulled off for the kids at Jenkins White Elementary School. There is hope and light in the world. Merry Christmas Everyone!
