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INCLUSIVE FAMILY
most common items in demand
for homeless shelters include
underwear, socks, shampoo,
conditioner, toothpaste, soap,
feminine hygiene products,
laundry soap, clothing for cold
weather, backpacks and deodor-
ant. Check your local shelter’s
website for a list of needed items.

Another way to teach your
child generosity is to go through
their old toys with them and
donate those in good condi-
tion, or go to the store and
have them pick out one item
to keep and one to donate to a
homeless child.

Above all, remind your child
that children
experiencing homelessness are no different
from them. They enjoy gifts and
birthday parties and favorite
foods. Learn how you can help
locally together as a family. T
A Party to Remember
Extra-Ordinary Birthdays
partners with homeless shelters
and other organizations
that serve the homeless in
Washington, D.C., Maryland
and Virginia to provide unique
and imaginative birthday
parties for children who are
experiencing homelessness.

Founder Schinnell Leake,
former owner of for-profit Extra-
Ordinary Moments—which
specialized in creating children’s
birthday parties—was inspired
to create the nonprofit after
she learned more than 2,000
children live in homeless shelters
throughout the D.C. area.

Now she has thrown
more than 800 parties with
Extra-Ordinary Birthdays
because, as a mother, she
knows how important it is for
children to feel confident, valued
and recognized.

“Each party costs
approximately $200 and we are
largely dependent on community
donations,” says board chair
Andrea Shearin.

To volunteer, sponsor or
donate towards the cost
of a party, learn more at
extraordinarybirthdays.org or by calling 301-531-5196.

Learning and Giving
The Giving Tree is a parent-
founded organization dedicated
to teaching children about
the importance and impact
of helping those in need. This
nonprofit based in Montgomery
County, Pa. relies on volunteers
and donations to provide those
in need with food, clothing and
even school supplies.

The Giving Tree partners
with other local organizations
such as Cecil and Grace Bean’s
Soup Kitchen to feed those
experiencing food insecurity,
including people experiencing
homelessness. With an education-based
approach, The Giving Tree is
perfect for teaching children
about the meaningful ways they
can help their community. Learn
more at 215-872-9328 and
givingtreefamilies.org Advertise in our
January Issue!
SUMMER CAMP
& SCHOOL
GUIDES INSIDE
CAMPS AND
INDOOR FUN
washin gtonFAM
and more news
that parents need.

Give your child the gift
of lifelong learning!
Ask about
our Millennium
Scholarship for
Grades 6-12
Join us to learn more!
Open House
Sunday Jan. 8, 2023
6 Weeks to Grade 12
barrie.org EMAIL us
at advertising@
washingtonfamily.com ILY.com
JANUARY 2022
Smart. Local.

Parenting for the
DMV. PMA AWARD
Wins for
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