Toy Donation for our Richmond Programs

The Virginia Commonwealth University Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation chose Children, Incorporated as the beneficiary of its annual holiday gala, which took place at the Science Museum of Virginia on Saturday, December 15.  Each of the gala's 150 guests donated a new toy to CI.  On Monday morning, CI staff delivered the toys to children at Swansboro Elementary and Summer Hill Elementary.  A third portion of toys will go to Blackwell Elementary later this week.  All three schools are located in Richmond's southside district.  CI extends a very heartfelt thank you to our benefactors at VCU!  You have truly brightened our children's holidays.

Above: Some of the VCU staff who contributed toys to our children.  Dr. David Cifu, second from left, is chair of the department.  He helped to coordinate the event. 

Above: more than 150 toys for Richmond children!

 
Left: Ron Carter, Director of the Inner City Division, delivers toys to Swansboro Elementary.  Right: Liz Sauer, Director of Marketing and Development, delivers toys to Summer Hill Elementary.

Comments

[Lauren Willhoite]

Receiving those gifts must have really brightened the day for those Children. The holiday season can be such a magical time for kids, but for some, their parents just dont have the resources to give them the holiday they would like to. It sounds like an enjoyable event, the gala, ended up having a great impact.

[L]

Are you working with any other local universities to collect gifts?

[CI Blogger]

Thank you for your question, L!

The VCU toy drive was the first of its kind for Children, Incorporated. It was so successful, however, that we hope to repeat it next year--with VCU and/or with any other school or organization that is interested in participating. We would love to get other universities involved, and our development office is exploring some possible new partnerships.

We do have other types of drives that occur throughout the year. The Back to School Drive, for example, takes place every summer. Businesses, schools, and individuals in Richmond contribute goods and funding to ensure that all of the children on our local programs return to school with adequate clothing and classroom supplies.

Throughout our program areas, we are stepping up our grant writing efforts and increasing our number of collaborations. We will be announcing some new partnerships shortly, and that information will appear on our website at: http://www.childrenincorporated.org/Partnerships.aspx