Every year, the Connecticut Education Foundation (CEF) Holiday Bear gift-giving project brings CEA members, communities, and local businesses together to brighten the holidays for children and teens in need across Connecticut. There are still hundreds of children awaiting sponsors this year, so don’t wait to step up and sponsor a child yourself or with friends or colleagues.
“Teachers have identified students who might be facing challenging situations—the loss of a home, family income, or other critical supports,” says CEA Vice President and CEF President Joslyn DeLancey. “Teachers, community members, and businesses who sign up as sponsors go a long way toward making the holidays brighter for these children and their families. Some of our members even organize their students to take part and purchase gifts, which is a great lesson in giving back.”
Recent years have been difficult for children, and many families have faced financial hardships. DeLancey stresses that there are children in every town in Connecticut who go without gifts during the holiday season—and CEF looks to support all of the children in need who are nominated.
You can help by
- Sponsoring a child
- Donating contributions toward gifts
Everyone who sponsors a child will receive a colorful, durable duffel bag to fill with gifts, a luggage tag personalized with the child’s name, and easy instructions for pickup/delivery of gifts.
