Every Child Deserves To Open A Gift on Christmas Morning.
John,
For many children, the weeks leading up to Christmas are filled with joy and anticipation. Some mail their wish lists to the North Pole, bake treats for Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, and peek around the living room corner in hopes of catching a small glimpse of Santa Claus on Christmas Eve. But this year may be a little different for children in Baltimore City Public Schools—where 77% of students are Black and 50.4% receive SNAP or TANF benefits.1
BecomE a monthly supporter of our efforts To Protect black joy.
The truth is that the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated existing inequities, leaving many Baltimore families without the income necessary to participate in these Christmas festivities. Black women, the primary wage-earners in many families, are twice as likely to experience COVID-19 related unemployment, wage cuts, and reduced work hours.2 And to combat food insecurity within these communities, the Maryland Food Bank has distributed over 42 million pounds of food since March.3
At Color Of Change, we believe that Black and low-income children deserve to experience holiday joy. That’s why we’re partnering with Lakewood Elementary School and raising $2,000 to provide every student with a gift from Santa Claus. We've made a commitment now, through Christmas 2021, to make these children's wishes come true.
But even Santa Claus has a team behind him, so we need your support to ensure that every child has a gift to open on Christmas Day. John, here’s how you can help:
- Commit to becoming a sustaining supporter, and contribute once per month to our efforts to make the world a more joyful place for Black and low-income children,
- Sponsor one gift from Santa Claus with just a $25 contribution, or
- Choose an amount below that would bring joy to your heart and peace to your soul this holiday season.
John, socioeconomic status should not determine whether a child has made the Naughty or Nice List. At Lakewood Elementary School, a Title 1 early childhood school located in East Baltimore City, there are 70 preschoolers in jeopardy of waking up empty-handed and incredibly dispirited on Christmas morning. Join Color Of Change in bringing holiday joy to Black and low-income children this year!
Remember, no amount is too small. If we exceed our goal of $2,000, we can provide Lakewood Elementary School students with the following:
- Art smocks, easels, and other painting supplies for a “Family Paint Night”
- Personalized care packages, consisting of toothbrushes, disinfectant wipes, and other necessities
- Hats, scarves, and gloves as we approach the winter season
CHIP IN, Make This HOLIDAY SEASON memorable for children in Baltimore city!
Until justice is real,
—Jade, Rashad, Arisha, Johnny, Amanda, Imani, Marie, Gabrielle, Sam, Marcus, FolaSade, Jennette, Gabrielle, Ciera, Taurjhai, Stasia, and the rest of the Color Of Change team
References:
- “City Schools at a Glance: 2019-2020 Student Enrollment,” Baltimore City Public Schools, March 13, 2020, https://act.colorofchange.org/go/283747?t=18&akid=48367%2E4731121%2E4VVB72.
- Brandi Jackson and Aderonke B. Pederson, “Facing both COVID-19 and racism, Black women are carrying a particularly heavy burden,” The Washington Post, September 4, 2020, https://act.colorofchange.org/go/283752?t=20&akid=48367%2E4731121%2E4VVB72.
- "Maryland Food Bank COVID-19 Town Hall," Maryland Food Bank, (n.d.), https://act.colorofchange.org/go/284651?t=22&akid=48367%2E4731121%2E4VVB72
Color Of Change is building a movement to elevate the voices of Black folks and our allies, and win real social and political change. Please help keep our movement strong.
