Holiday Programs

Every year, CFLS provides books and toys for approximately 1,000 low-income and homeless children ages 2 to 14 for the holidays.  Donated toys are displayed in our "holiday store" for parents to select and bring home to their children.  It is truly heartwarming to see how each child lights up when she is given something of her very own. 

Additionally, each winter approximately 125 poor and formerly homeless families in our housing programs participate in our Adopt-a-Family program.  We give individuals and groups the opportunity to adopt a family-asking that the adopting donor help fill a wish list for each family. 

Read the story of one family's holidays with CFLS below.

The deadline for requesting toys is now past. If you are still in need of toys for your children, please call 202-347-0511 on December 16, 2005 only.  We may have toys remaining after our main Give-A-Gift event.

If you would like to organize a toy drive at your workplace, church, or school, if you would like to adopt-a-family or donate toys as an individual, or if you would like to volunteer at our "Holiday Store" please click here for more information.

One Family's Story

It is a bitterly cold January day when Talia White (names have been changed), her two sons, her daughter, and her younger sister walk into the CFLS office to be interviewed for this article.  The kids are excited about everything.

Talia watches her children with amusement.  Four-year old Mikal looks like a miniature snowman in a coat he was given by "Santa Claus"-ever in motion-and obviously adoring sister Janey.  11-year old Cooper feigns disinterest, while baby Mia sleeps comfortably in her stroller. 

The kids eagerly talk about the toys and games they received as part of CFLS' holiday Adopt-a-Family Program.  Janey got a basketball and dress clothes which she said she really needed.  Cooper describes with animation the combined checkers-chess-backgammon game he received.  Mikal, an endless ball of lovable energy, expresses his enthusiasm for the new bike, electronic truck, Leap Frog, and game of Chutes and Ladders he received.  From his comments, it is evident that playing Chutes and Ladders is one of the ways that Mikal, Cooper, and Janey spend time together.  But the most talked about gift given to the White family is the new computer on which the children get homework help and play games.  Talia is effusive in her thanks to the people who adopted her family and helped make this season unforgettable.