2023 End of the Year Update

This year, we decided to focus on realignment.

We worked on the development (and expansion) of our goals, vision, and initiatives. We intend to give our winter joy packages to many individuals in many different states. This year was heavily focused on development–how would we implement the new changes that we were committed to making?

Our fundraising did not stop! We were still able to meet our goals for the year.

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2022 End of the Year Update

This year, we decided to expand!

Our CEO has been volunteering in DC for the past few months, and she noticed a need particularly among the homeless population.

We have always had large goals of expanding our horizons, so this year, we donated around 300 winter joy packages to two nonprofits in DC: S.O.M.E. and Thrive DC. Both organizations work to serve the DC area and those in need–they provide individuals with almost anything they need and they were able to distribute our winter joy packages (complete with our new cloth, reusable bags!) to the people of DC.

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2021 End of the Year Update

This year, we wanted to keep things simple.

After meeting our expectations for our UNFoundation grant, we just wanted to emulate our success from the first year and give to more families in the winter season.

We decided to continue our partnership with the YMCA Blessing Bags initiative: We gave more than 200 packages that were handed out with the blessing bags.

We also plan to continue collaborating with the Bethlehem Center (we were able to give them almost 200 packages at the very beginning of the year!) as well as other amazing organizations and initiatives.

We are blessed to have received generous donations from places such as Publix, and we have recently received a donation on behalf of one of our board members’ service to the organization.

After our recent board meeting, we have decided to spice things up a bit for the new year! We are expanding our horizons and the areas that we want to help, so be on the lookout for bigger and better changes for the organization!

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2020 End of the Year Update

After the passing of Toni Parkes in July 2020, we decided that we wanted to take the legacy and the traditions that she instilled in her family, and create something that would impact the community.

In September, we officially opened for business and began collecting donations!

In November, we were able to, based on the donations that we had received at the time, begin to order the winter joy packages!

In December, we gave out almost 100 winter joy packages, and we were also blessed with a grant from the UNFoundation, which gives us the opportunity to order more packages for families who may still be in need!

This year has been a challenging year for everyone. We are so happy to say that we were able to make a positive impact in our community, and we are excited to see what the future holds for us.