Kidding Around Greenville is joining with Mom to Mom to organize a holiday relief effort for Western NC.
Our Focus Area
Henderson County, NC. The northern and eastern sections of the county were severely damaged in Hurricane Helene. The schools on US Highway 64 are home to many students that come from the towns of Bat Cave, Gerton, Chimney Rock, and Edneyville. This area had major destruction.
The Need
Henderson County Schools normally partners with The Storehouse – a local non-profit – to provide “Blessings in Boxes” to students in need. These are large bags filled with the children’s needs and wants.
In 2023, they serviced 702 families equaling 2,005 kids. This year, due to the impacts of Helene, they have over 1,000 families that are upwards of 3,000 children in need.
Their usual sponsors are businesses and individuals from Henderson County. However, because everyone in their local area was impacted in one way or another, the needs are great and the helpers are few.
US Highway 64 conditions in early November 2024
Our Goal
We hope to contribute to as many families as possible this holiday season. We’re starting by sponsoring two schools on US Highway 64: North Henderson High School and Apple Valley Middle School. Together, they have about 240 students in need. With community interest, we can add even more!
We’re working directly with Henderson County Schools for this project. We have direct contact with the central office, administrators at each of the schools, as well as staff at The Storehouse, who is taking on the logistics in Hendersonville, NC.
What We Need
We need businesses and community groups to sponsor kids. You and your team will purchase gifts that are listed on the gift tags given to you. Items include needs like clothing and accessories as well as wants like toys and art supplies.
Requirements
Team Requirements
- To be associated with a business or community group (church, book club, neighborhood, athletic team, school, PTA, etc)
- A team leader to act as the point person working with Kidding Around Greenville & Mom to Mom
- A commitment to sponsor at least 5 children
Team Leader Requirements
- Pick up empty boxes and gift information on Saturday, November 16 in Greenville, SC
- Ensure that all gifts for each child fit in the boxes given
- Drop off all the filled boxes on Saturday or Sunday, December 7 and 8 in Greenville, SC
Pick Up & Drop Off Location
TBD, somewhere central in Greenville, SC
Other Ways to Participate
If you’re outside the area, you shop our Amazon wish lists!
M2M has taken 30 children just for this purpose. We’ve added specific items that are included on the lists we’ve received. We also have a list that includes other items needed to complete this project.
Each gift item will disappear when purchased and has quantities listed. If it’s still on the list, it’s still a need.
Check out our wish lists here.
FAQs
Q: How much should I spend?
A: There is no minimum or maximum amount. We think that $50-$150 would be an approximate amount that would cover the gifts asked for by most parents. (No electronics are allowed and a child can only ask for a bicycle every three years in this program).
Q: What kind of things do kids ask for?
A: Clothes, coats, socks and shoes, toys, sports equipment, art supplies, etc.
Q: When will the gifts be delivered to parents?
A: Pick up dates for parents in Hendersonville, NC take place December 13 and 14. We will be delivering items to Hendersonville before that.
Q: Do you need volunteers?
A: Yes! Please fill out the form below and select “Volunteer as needed” if you’re interested in helping out.
Q: When do we need to sign up by?
A: Please fill out the interest form no later than Thursday, November 14.
Q: Can I take more kids if I get more interest from my personal contacts?
A: Yes, we’ll try to accommodate everyone! We suggest listing a sponsor number that’s comfortable for you at first. If you have more interest, just give us a shout and we’ll assign you more kids until all are sponsored!
Key Dates
Tentative Schedule:
Saturday, November 16: pick up materials for sponsor children
Saturday & Sunday, December 7 and 8: drop off filled boxes
Volunteer Opportunities
If you’re local to Greenville and would like to volunteer with us, please fill out this interest form and we’ll let you know of upcoming opportunities.
Questions?
Email NCmom2mom@gmail.com.
