Bringing Hope for the Holidays: United Way of Central Maryland Style

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The United Way of Central Maryland is making sure this holiday season is the “most wonderful time of the year” for all central Marylanders. Thanks to the United Way’s generous donors and volunteers, the organization has been able to provide more than 700 children with gifts and/or donations this holiday season, including:

 

  • 150 kids who received toys at Matthew Henson Elementary
  • 75 kids who received stockings in Baltimore County
  • 47 children who received brand new bikes and bike helmets
  • 90 adopted families
  • 260 women who received jewelry gifts at My Sister’s Place, Sarah’s Hope, SARC, Sarah’s House and Turnaround Inc.
  • Several babies who received brand new clothing, books, and teddy bears at the United Way Family Center at Ben Franklin High School and PACT nursery

 

Additionally, United Way of Central Maryland has been out in the community and on the ground giving back to those most in need this holiday season. Below are some of the ways United Way is creating beautiful holiday memories for central Maryland families this season.

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A Christmas ‘Miracle’

On Monday, Aramark and United Way of Central Maryland teamed up to make this holiday season an unforgettable one for a Baltimore family in need.

 

Aramark sent a limousine to drive Falander, a single mother, and her two children (pictured above) from their north Baltimore apartment to M&T Bank Stadium, where they received a tour of the facility and experienced an elegant holiday dinner inside a stadium suite. The evening wrapped up with the ultimate surprise as the children received gifts from their Christmas lists, which would have otherwise not been possible.

 

Attempting to overcome a death in the family, the single mother has had difficulty figuring out her family’s finances. Due to her tough financial situation, celebrating Christmas with gifts did not seem like a possibility this year. United Way of Central Maryland selected this family to receive the surprise because they are enrolled in one of United Way’s Family Stability programs. The program aims to keep families intact, ensure safe, affordable housing, and promote health and self-sufficiency. United Way has assisted Falander and her children as they work to get back on their feet.

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Baltimore Raven Justin Forsett Joins the United Way for the Emerging Leaders United Holiday Village

 

Baltimore Ravens running back Justin Forsett (pictured above) joined United Way of Central Maryland’s Emerging Leaders United members on December 19 to provide presents and a magical experience for 39 families currently enrolled in the organization’s Family Stability programs.

 

Emerging Leaders United members and United Way staff donated funds, shopped, and had fun stuffing stockings and wrapping gifts to prepare for this special event.

 

After arts and crafts activities for the children, an army of Emerging Leaders volunteers and United Way staff served dinner, offering a delicious menu provided by Sinai Hospital Catering. The families left with warm pajamas, a photo with Santa, books, gifts and memories they will never forget.

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Holiday Surprise for Children in Need

 

Nearly fifty area children in need received a special holiday surprise on December 20. Fitness Optimist Transformation Center in Laurel, Maryland hosted the children for a pizza party which included a very special surprise for each one of them: a brand new bike as well as a bike helmet from United Way!

 

The children and their families are also enrolled in the United Way of Central Maryland’s Family Stability programs through Anne Arundel County Partnership for Children, Youth and Families.

 

United Way of Central Maryland continues to work toward changing the odds for families and communities across central Maryland through programs like Family Stability and many others, focusing on stabilizing families with safe and affordable housing, quality education and access to healthy food and health care. For more information about United Way of Central Maryland, please visit http://www.uwcm.org.

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