“Participating in the Holiday Bear Project helps our students understand that there are others who are less fortunate, and that they have a part in helping other students to feel good at the holidays and have things that they need and may not get otherwise,” says East Lyme kindergarten teacher Kathy Pindar.
The Connecticut Education Foundation’s Holiday Bear Project provides gifts to students who otherwise wouldn’t receive any during the holidays. Children are nominated by their teachers, and sponsors across the state step up to purchase a bag full of gifts for each child. In December, gifts are collected from sponsors and transported to families of students across the state.
Flanders Elementary has been participating in the Holiday Bear Project for the past eight years, and the kindergarten teachers say that it’s a fantastic way to teach young children about the power of giving. The school community purchased bags full of gifts for the seven children they sponsored in another district.
“We talk a lot about feeling thankful for what you’re doing for somebody else and being kind,” Pindar says. “It helps the children learn about feeling gratitude by helping other children in Connecticut, wherever they are, to have a great holiday and give back.”
East Lyme uses the Choose Love social-emotional learning curriculum, and gratitude is the second pillar of the Choose Love program.
“We did a big lesson on needs and wants,” says fellow kindergarten teacher Charline Records. “We talked about the needs we have, like our homes and our clothing, our food—and there are wants we have, and not everybody gets to have wants. So we had a list of possible gifts and we sent it to families and talked to the class about different items the students would want, and then families sent in their donated gifts.”
She adds, “The kids were excited to get involved. Most of them celebrate holidays at this time of year, so to think that others might not be able to have things, their hearts felt what those kids would feel. Being able to give to others when they know they are fortunate, and most of our kids do get to have things that they want, they were excited to be able to help other kids get things that they’re needing and wanting.”
“This season we have been able to deliver over 850 bags of gifts to students around the state,” says CEF President and CEA Vice President Joslyn DeLancey. “I love when schools are able to make it a community project, so students are involved, teachers are involved, families are involved. It’s a great way for the students to really feel a sense of giving.”
DeLancey continues, “I want to give a special thank you to our CEA and CEF staff who have really gone above and beyond to make sure our students get what they need. Thank you to all of our sponsors, especially those who took on multiple students to make sure they are happy and supported with really wonderful gifts. Thank you also to all of our partners who made sure to get the word out to ensure the project’s success.”
The Holiday Bear Project is now wrapping up for 2025, but you can support the Connecticut Education Foundation’s many programs that help students and teachers year-round with a donation.
