Our Christmas Cheer Program has supported over 1,000 Macomb County Children since 2019.

 

Each fall DRIVE receives referrals of children who will need holiday support from local elementary schools, special education centers, shelters, churches, and other partner organizations. These children are all living at or below poverty level within our community, many of which without basics such as food and proper clothing. Our goal during Christmas Cheer is to not only provide those basics but to also gift these children with the joy, love, and magic of the holiday season when they need it most!

 

Our main group of gift recipients are the children from the local elementary schools who are also enrolled in our Elementary Eats program. These schools, which include elementary schools in the Romeo and Utica school districts, provide us wish lists for their students in need as well as their siblings.  These lists include clothing, winter gear, boots, personal care items, and (most magical of all) new toys and other items each child is wishing for.

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In our first year, we were able to support just over 100 children with this effort and with the continued support of our generous friends, donors, and volunteers, DRIVE has been able to increase the number of children we have gifted each year since!​ In 2023, we were able to provide Christmas gifts for 335+ children and we can't wait to see what will happen in 2024!