Office of Philanthropy adopts Southwest Baltimore family, spreads cheer through Police Athletic/Activities League.
The holidays are usually a busy time of year, with a mix of joy and anxiety that comes along with finding the perfect gift. Thankfully, the UMB Office of Philanthropy Holiday Committee wanted to give back to its Southwest Baltimore neighbors by adopting a family to support during this season.
In partnership with the UMB Police Athletic/Activities League (UMBPAL), a mentoring program for children at the Community Engagement Center, we selected a family consisting of two parents and four children whose ages range from 1 to 10. The Office of Philanthropy collected money and went shopping for each family member, based on a wish list the family provided. As the gifts were delivered, the parents and children were excited to receive new shoes, jackets, toys, dolls, and handbags.
UMBPAL began in February 2018 and serves 30 students primarily from James McHenry Elementary/Middle School. Some members of the UMB Police Department, who serve as UMBPAL mentors, used their own money to purchase gifts for the other children to make sure everyone was included. The gifts were distributed during the UMBPAL Holiday Party on Dec. 20.
We also are extremely grateful to M.J. Tooey and everyone at the Health Sciences and Human Services Library who donated new hats, gloves, and scarves for our children just in time for the winter season. These generous donations warmed the hearts, hands, and heads of our UMBPAL kids!