I have received several private e-mails from readers asking what they can do to help the children in our care at Woodbourne. As I've mentioned, we care for 50 boys from ages 12-18 on the main campus, and another 100 children from 8-16 at our short term diagnostic and treatment center.
Many of these children are with us because their parents are not able to care for them. Most of our children come from families in grinding poverty. Many have never had anything new and many have never even had a birthday cake. Our wonderful kitchen staff makes every child a cake on their birthday.
We recently heard from a woman who was at Woodbourne about 20 years ago. She's now a nurse with a family of her own. She told one of our long-time workers that the thing she remembered most about her stay at Woodbourne was that it was the first time she'd ever had anything that was new and that still had the price tags on it. In this day and age, when we all have so much, it's hard to imagine what that meant to her.
If you would like to make a contribution to make a lasting memory for one of our children, please send it to The Woodbourne Charitable Trust/1301 Woodbourne Avenue/Baltimore/Maryland/21239. Alternately, make a contribution to a similar organization in your area.
On behalf of everyone at the Woodbourne Center, thank you for thinking of our children.
I'm already committed to doing something similar for kids in foster care in my area, but I'm glad you shared this :)
ReplyDeleteI'm also glad you shared this and I plan to make a contribution.
ReplyDeleteThe level of poverty that exists here is hard to imagine and sobering to see. I understand what desperate circumstances some of these children come from; I'm glad to have a chance to help, and I'm glad to have a chance to share my good fortune and make a child's Christmas a little better.
Ok, what is best? Is one meant to send gifts or can one send money and the foundation buys the gifts? How much for say, 5 pairs of sneakers the kids would like?
ReplyDeleteNeed a little guidance, as gifts for kids not my forte (have 2 godchildren who can attest to that, mind you when they are all grown up they are going to be glad of my "weird" gifts) Would love to contribute - just point me in the right direction.
Unfortunately, we're not yet set up for credit card donations, but a cheque is fine... any amount will help.
ReplyDeleteWonderful that you are involved with this, I haven't read your blog before today. It's great.
ReplyDeleteThanks~ Robyn