Holiday Gift Drive 2014
December 12, 2014
View Tampa Bay Times coverage of the event and the Bay News 9 report.
"Every year, I am amazed by the generosity and support from the entire Shorecrest family that help make the Gift Drive a huge success! It is a privilege for our family to be part of this event and help others in need during the holiday season. On the morning of the final day of the gift drive, the Crisp Gym will be overflowing with gifts for the Guardian ad Litem children and our hearts will be overflowing as well."
"Every year, I am amazed by the generosity and support from the entire Shorecrest family that help make the Gift Drive a huge success! It is a privilege for our family to be part of this event and help others in need during the holiday season. On the morning of the final day of the gift drive, the Crisp Gym will be overflowing with gifts for the Guardian ad Litem children and our hearts will be overflowing as well."
- Suzy Olson - 2014 Gift Drive CoChair
Shorecrest parent since 2005 and Mother of Olivia (8th grade) and Luke (5th grade)
The Guardian ad Litem program of Pinellas and Pasco Counties collected gifts donated by Shorecrest Preparatory School students and families on December 12. The entire gymnasium was packed with hundreds of presents, including toys, bicycles, furniture and clothing.
The Guardian ad Litem Foundation of Tampa Bay provides advocacy and support for abused, abandoned or neglected children in the Guardian ad Litem Program of Pinellas and Pasco Counties. The gifts will be distributed by Guardian ad Litem volunteer child advocates to nearly 200 children.
“For many, the holidays are about family and celebrations. But for our children, this is an especially lonely time of year where children miss their parents and siblings most. We hope by providing gifts their holidays are just a little brighter,” said Amy Foster, Executive Director of the Guardian ad Litem Foundation of Tampa Bay.
There are almost 3,000 children placed in foster care in Pinellas and Pasco Counties. Guardian ad Litem volunteer child advocates provide advocacy for over 2,860 children to help them navigate the tumultuous legal system. Shorecrest has a longstanding relationship with the Guardian ad Litem Foundation. For almost 20 years, the Gift Drive has been the school’s signature service event with participation from Shorecrest families at every grade level.
Upper School students recently formed a Guardian ad Litem youth program with more than 40 high school students volunteering on behalf of the children year-round. 12 Shorecrest parents volunteer as Guardian ad Litem advocates.
The Guardian ad Litem Foundation of Tampa Bay provides advocacy and support for abused, abandoned or neglected children in the Guardian ad Litem Program of Pinellas and Pasco Counties. The gifts will be distributed by Guardian ad Litem volunteer child advocates to nearly 200 children.
“For many, the holidays are about family and celebrations. But for our children, this is an especially lonely time of year where children miss their parents and siblings most. We hope by providing gifts their holidays are just a little brighter,” said Amy Foster, Executive Director of the Guardian ad Litem Foundation of Tampa Bay.
There are almost 3,000 children placed in foster care in Pinellas and Pasco Counties. Guardian ad Litem volunteer child advocates provide advocacy for over 2,860 children to help them navigate the tumultuous legal system. Shorecrest has a longstanding relationship with the Guardian ad Litem Foundation. For almost 20 years, the Gift Drive has been the school’s signature service event with participation from Shorecrest families at every grade level.
Upper School students recently formed a Guardian ad Litem youth program with more than 40 high school students volunteering on behalf of the children year-round. 12 Shorecrest parents volunteer as Guardian ad Litem advocates.
"I am really humbled to be a part of the Gift Drive. It is truly remarkable to see how seriously our families take the commitment to providing gifts for the kids in the Guardian ad Litem program. We tell our community that it about more than providing "frivolous" things for kids that really just want permanent, secure homes. The idea of the gift drive is to let the kids in the program feel normal. They can ask for the Nike shoes or the PlayStation that all the kids in the school have and feel just like everyone else when they receive a gift they have chosen. Often times too, the gifts are things that the kids or families really need. For example we always have requests mattresses and kitchen supplies for the teens who are aging out of the foster care system. A struggling family of 7 children asked for a swing set so their children would have a place to play outside."
- Emily Elwyn - 2014 Gift Drive CoChair
Shorecrest parent since 2005 and Mother of Sophie (8th grade) and Johnny (5th grade)
