The Connecticut Education Foundation (CEF), the charitable arm of the Connecticut Education Association (CEA), invites community members, businesses, and organizations to participate in its annual Holiday Bear Project, which provides gifts to children in need during the holiday season. Last year’s fundraiser reached over 800 students in public schools across the state.
Each year, 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 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, Suite 500, in Hartford, for distribution.
How to Be a Sponsor
Anyone interested in becoming a sponsor can visit cea.org/holiday-bear-project or contact [email protected] with any questions.
People who wish to support this effort but are unable to shop for gifts 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.
