The Christmas

Program

Project

Presented by:

Shaenen Gilpatrick(Augusta)

Jamie Luczynski(Rumford)

Hus 325 –Intervention for Children and Families

Patricia Clark

Old Idea, New Idea

• Originally wanted to collect winter

coats, boots, hats & gloves for children

who are in need of these items.

• Changed our direction a little bit once

we found out what was needed by the

organization we would be collecting

donations for.

Advocacy Statement

According to NCCP 17% (46,403) of children

in Maine live in poor families. We want to

help these children stay warm this winter.

Our goal is to collect brand new warm winter

outfits for The Maine Children’s Home for

Little Wanderers Christmas Program. We are

looking to collect clothes in sizes 2-12 for

children who are part of this program.

The holiday

season is always

busy at the

Maine Children’s

Home. Each

year, more than

1,600 needy

children

throughout

Maine receive

boxes from their

Christmas

Program.

An example of what’s put in

their gift boxes

(valued between $92 - $150)

Each child receives

a box that contains

a pair of mittens, a

pair of Thinsulate

gloves, hat, reading

book, coloring

book, crayons or

markers, large and

small toy, family

game and an outfit

of

clothing, everything

is brand new.

The Christmas Program ProjectMy Contribution to our Project

Shaenen Gilpatrick

Choosing a Project

For me, The Maine Children’s Home

for Little Wanderers hits close to

home. I have had family and friends

who have been helped by this

organization. Although I understand I

may not make a huge difference, I

also realize that every little bit helps.

My Steps Along the Way

Step 1

• I started typing up a letter explaining my cause and goals.

• Went around to local corporations and department stores asking for their help.

• Walmart

• Kmart

• TJ Maxx

• Payless ShoeSource

• JC Penney

• Received the same answer from all the businesses so decided on a different plan.

Personal Connections

Step 2

• Applebee’s (place of employment)

• Involved in charity and fundraising

• Dine to donate

• Pancake breakfasts

• Total of 2 month wait time start/finish

• I did not have enough time, so had to continue

picking my brain for ideas.

GENEROSITY

Step 3

• Amici’s Cucina Italian

Restaurant in Waterville, Me

• Spoke to the owner (privately

owned)

• Submitted formal letter

• Set up a dinner date

• Made flyers to distribute to the

community/family/friends

• Thursday November 8th, 2012

4:30-9:00PM

10% of each bill was donated to help keep

Maine’s children warm this winter.

Success

The dinner I set up at Amici’s Cucina had a great turn out. This dinner helped me provide The Maine’s Child Home for Little Wanderers with warm winter outfits.

Reflection• By doing this advocacy project I have learned

that so much goes into fundraising & charity

work. It’s a process that requires more than

just asking for money or material objects.

• If I was to do this project again there wouldn’t

be anything I would change but I would like

to be more educated.

• My final reflection is, even though I am may

be only one person the smallest amount can

make a difference for someone.

The Christmas Program ProjectMy Contribution to our Project

Jamie Luczynski

Choosing a Project

Every school year my daughter’s school sends home a letter reminding parents that it is no longer summer and kids need to come to school wearing appropriate clothing for the fall/winter. It always makes me wonder if these children choose to dress this way or if they just don’t have the appropriate clothing because their parents can’t afford it. So I wanted to do something to help families who can’t provide their children with warm winter clothing.

The Maine Children’s Home for

Little Wanderers• I was a bit skeptical at first for collecting donations for

The Maine Children’s Home because they seek brand

new items.

• I met with the Development Director of the

organization, Steve Mayberry and the Director of their

Christmas Program, Cristen Sawyer.

• They showed me around and explained how their

program worked I decided this was the organization I

wanted to collect for. Even though I was

skeptical, every child deserves new stuff at Christmas

time.

My Steps

Along the

WayStep 1

• Set up an online

fundraiser through

Facebook.

• Asked for

monetary

donations and new

winter outfits.

• Received $55 and

12 outfits.

Business

DonationsStep 2

• Typed up a letter seeking donations.

• Local businesses

• Banks

• Chain Stores

• Heard back from only one, didn’t receive any donations during this step.

Donation

CanStep 3

• My husband is in the Air National Guard.

• During his October & November drill he brought a can with him for me to collect spare change from his fellow airmen.

• Total collection $37.15

Success

My original goal was to collect 50

brand new outfits for The Maine’s

Children Home for Little Wanderers.

Unfortunately, I didn’t reach my goal

but through my efforts I am able to

provide the children of their

Christmas Program with 25 warm

winter outfits.

25 Warm

Winter

Outfits

•12 outfits collected

•$92.15 in monetary

donations

collected, was able

to buy 9 warm

winter outfits with

this collection

• I bought 4 warm

winter outfits to

donate.

Reflection• I was very intimidated by this project. I was worried I

wasn’t going to get any donations and even though I

didn’t reach my goal, still glad that I am able to provide

some children with warm winter clothing.

• I would seek other ways of collecting donations next

time. I would seek an organization that was located in

the town I lived, think this could bring in more

donations.

• I learned to be truly successful in a project like this it

takes more than one person. I was skeptical having a

group project at first but came to realize you’re able to

accomplish so much more when you are working with

others.