11/05/2023
The studio will be accepting donations again this year to help fulfill tags that have not been sponsored or remain unfulfilled as well as for those who wish to contribute but cannot afford to sponsor an entire tag.
Our 2023 Sponsor-a-Child in Crisis Program is scheduled to launch on Friday, November 10th. The due date for our first round of Wish Tags is Saturday, November 25th. For those of you looking to sponsor children in crisis, here is a list of frequently asked questions and answers to get you started.
🎄 What is the Sponsor-a-Child in Crisis Program?
A: The Sponsor-a-Child in Crisis Program (AKA The Wish Tag Program) helps children who have endured recent traumatic events, to receive toys and other items needed for their transition to safety. It also helps children who are in crisis to receive items they need to survive (e.g. clothing, food, blankets, infant formula, etc.)
🎄 What is a Wish Tag?
A Wish Tag is a small card that lists the hopes, dreams, needs, or wishes of a child in crisis in our community.
🎄 Where can I pick up a Sponsor-a-Child in Crisis Wish Tag?
A: Wish Tag locations will be posted to our social media pages at program launch.
🎄 If I don’t live near a Wish Tag Host Site can I still sponsor a child?
A. Yes! You can make a monetary donation on our website at https://thingsofmyveryown.org/donate, or request information on a child via email. The email address to contact is Lperetti@niskayuna.org. Items may then be shipped to: Things of My Very Own; Family number ______; 249 Green Street; Schenectady NY 12305.
🎄 How much does it cost to sponsor a child?
A. On average, individuals will choose to spend $100 or more to fully sponsor a child. Remember, the items you purchase are not only giving children toys for the holiday but also providing them with the items they need to remain with their non-abusive family members, and out of the foster care system.
🎄 Do the items I provide need to be new?
A: Yes, all items for our Sponsor-a-Child in Crisis Program must be new. Children are very intelligent; they know that Santa’s elves only make new items.
🎄 When are the items due?
A: Each Wish Tag has a due date written on it. We MUST receive the items on or before this date in order for the family to receive their gifts. If you are shipping items, please be sure that the items will arrive before the due date prior to placing an order. If shipping items directly, please place the child’s family number where you would typically place an apartment number in the shipping address.
🎄 Can I just provide a monetary donation instead of grabbing a Wish Tag?
A: Absolutely! We have the ability to purchase items for a fraction of retail prices. For this reason, monetary donations go much further than buying items in stores.
🎄 Can I wrap gifts for the children I am sponsoring?
A. All gifts must be inspected prior to distribution, for this reason, we ask that gifts are delivered unwrapped. You may feel free to include wrapping paper and/or gift bags for the child you are sponsoring.
🎄 How should I package the items I purchase for the child before dropping them off?
A. Please place all items in a garbage bag or leaf bag labeled with the family number, gender and age of the child you are sponsoring. If you chose to provide wrapping paper or gift bags, please place those items in the bag(s) as well. Please fasten the bag securely prior to drop off. If the items you are gifting are too large to place in a bag, please tape an index card to the package and label it with the child’s family number.
🎄 May I purchase a gift card for the child I am sponsoring?
A: Absolutely! Just be sure to tape the receipt to the gift card as proof of activation.
🎄 Does sponsoring a child’s Wish Tag really make a life-altering difference?
A. Yes. Many of the children we work with had to leave everything behind when they retreated from their abusers. These children don’t yet have adequate clothing for winter, bedding, or other items that are necessary to keep safe. The Sponsor a Child in Crisis Program is your chance to show these children that someone in our community stands by them during their healing process.
Venmo: TOMVOInc
Website: https://thingsofmyveryown.org/donate/
