For most of us, the holidays produce colorful memories we treasure for years – family get-togethers, gift exchanges and the feeling of joy that comes with the season. Indeed, it’s hard to fathom that during this time many children, instead of wishing for the latest toys, wish for family unity, a peaceful home or for their parent’s sobriety.
Every month, the Rainbow Room, an emergency resource center available to Child Protective Services caseworkers, helps approximately 700 children. Stocked with all new items, Rainbow Rooms provide clothing, shoes, underwear, baby formula, school supplies and hygiene items to children entering foster or relative care and children in their own homes who live below the poverty line.
This year, Metro Health is holding a drive to collect items for the Rainbow Room. Choose from the wish list below and bring your unwrapped gift to the Christmas tree in the director’s office at our main building. Help us make these children’s holidays a colorful one!
“When they take the children, parents don’t want to release any of their belongings because they’re angry because we’re taking custody,” says Mary Lou Rendon, coordinator for the Rainbow Room for Child Protective Services, adding that the number of children helped during the holidays rises because of stress and increased drug or alcohol use.
If you’re interested in helping deliver the donations to the Rainbow Room before the December holiday break, contact Carol Schliesinger at 207-8172 and thank you for your support. Happy holidays!
Rainbow Room Wish List:
- toddler clothing, male & female
- sweat tops/pants sizes 2 thru adult
- shirts/jeans sizes 2 thru adult
- formula, diapers, especially newborn & sizes 4 & 5, baby wash, lotion, powder, shampoo, infant pajamas, infant Onesies & shirts, baby wipes, bottles
- laundry detergent, dish detergent
- large garbage bags and sponges towels, washcloths
- blankets, sheets and pillowcases
- sleeping bags for homeless children
- adult shampoo, conditioner, soap, setting gel, makeup, cosmetics, deodorant
- jackets: all sizes
- school supplies & back packs
- school uniforms: all sizes
- shoes: all sizes
- new briefs & panties, all sizes
- bras: all sizes
- instant cameras, batteries
- gifts for teens
- lice shampoo
- combs, brushes, hair accessories
- activity books, color books
- educational toys for toddlers
- ladies hygiene products
To learn more about the Rainbow room, check out this short video of the facility: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUwCRrznDp0&feature=player_profilepage