It all started with a coat. A little girl from Holt came home without her coat one day and when asked by her mother where it was, she explained she had given it to another girl at school who didn’t have one. The little girl’s mother realized how close to home those in need truly were and decided to do something about it.
That’s how the Give-A-Kid Projects first began in 1984. As more needs in the community were realized, the nonprofit grew to encompass several other Give-A-Kid drives. Today it includes:
- Give-A-Kid-A-Backpack
- Give-A-Kid-A-Coat
- Give-A-Kid-A-Christmas
- Give-A-Kid-A-Suitcase
- Give-A-Kid-360
“Without the support of the community and local businesses, we wouldn’t be where we are” says Tim Currin, President of Give-A-Kid Projects. “It’s a giant team.”
Give-A-Kid-A-Backpack
Families with kids in grades Pre-K through grade 12 and who are in the Holt/Dimondale school district can apply to receive a backpack full of age appropriate school supplies. Families must meet certain criteria to qualify. Kids also get to pick out an outfit and shoes on the day of the backpack pick-up.
Give-A-Kid-A-Coat
What started with one coat has grown into hundreds of coats, hats, mittens, boots and other winter items being given away each year. This program is open to everyone; there are no requirements for assistance. This year’s program will be on October 21. Families can sign-up for or give to the Give-A-Kid-A-Christmas program at this time as well.
Give-A-Kid-A-Christmas
This program serves hundreds of families in the Holt community every year. It is open for children ages 0-18. The Give-A-Kids program believes in meeting the unique wants of each child and has families fill out specific wish lists for each child. Children are also given a new outfit and pajamas. Many times others in the community or businesses adopt a family. Families must apply and meet program criteria to qualify for assistance.
Give-A-Kid-A-Suitcase
This program started this year and is specifically for foster children ages 0-18 in the community. It was started with the understanding of the difficulties children face when moving between foster homes and seeks to provide dignity and a sense of stability for each child by providing them with a suitcase filled with clothes and other age appropriate personal items. Families or individuals can contact the Give-A-Kid Projects directly for assistance or work with other community organizations such as Child Protective Services.
Give-A-Kid-360
This program is for those families who find themselves in need due to unforeseen circumstances such as a fire or flood. Families are provided with gently used household items such as kitchen and bedroom items, as well as clothing. Families should work with the community organization, Christian Services, to request assistance.
“The last couple years we’ve had the opportunity to have people reach out at Christmas and want to adopt a child,” says Carrie Wilson-Currin, Vice President of the Give-A-Kid Projects. “They were clients of ours years ago and they have found their way out of poverty and are in positions where they want to come back and now help someone else.”
Anyone looking for assistance or to donate to these programs can contact Give-A-Kid Projects at 517.694.1230 or giveakidprojects.org.