It may be October, but the holiday season will be here sooner than we think—which is why the Connecticut Education Foundation (CEF), CEA’s charitable arm, is looking for sponsors for the Holiday Bear Project.
Educators, community members, businesses, and organizations are all invited to participate in the annual Holiday Bear Project, which provides gifts to children in need during the holiday season. This year, we have nearly 900 students waiting for that holiday joy.
Teachers from schools across the state nominate students whose families are struggling, have lost their jobs, or are facing other hardships and are likely to go without holiday gifts. CEA members, the public, and businesses provide donations or purchase gifts for these students in need.
Without programs like the Holiday Bear Project, many students would not have gifts, hats, coats and other essential items that many of us take for granted.
CEF welcomes both individual sponsors and group sponsors—including businesses, school teams, civic organizations, and families.
Once matched, sponsors receive key details compiled by the child’s nominating teacher (needs, interests, clothing sizes). CEF provides a large duffel bag and labels. Sponsors purchase and wrap the gifts, fill the bag, and bring it to either the student’s school or the Connecticut Education Association headquarters, located at 21 Oak Street in Hartford, for distribution.
How to Be a Sponsor
Become a sponsor or contact [email protected] with any questions.
If you’d like to support this effort but are unable to shop for gifts, you can make a monetary donation to the Holiday Bear Project. CEF uses these donations to purchase gifts for children who could not be matched with a sponsor; donations are accepted year-round.
