Beech Acres Parenting Center, a nonprofit that inspires and equips “today’s parents, families and communities to raise capable, caring, contributing children,” will be able to guarantee its clients that their children won't go without gifts this holiday season, thanks to the annual Shop & Share program.
Monica McGrew, whose children attend school in the
Forest Hills district, works with the nonprofit to ensure Beech Acres families are supported each year by coordinating with schools to get students involved in the charitable act of giving.
“Our students work with their families to ‘earn’ money to donate to the program. Some kids do extra chores to get their donations,” McGrew says. “The mission of the project has always been to provide an authentic opportunity for service.”
As a parent, McGrew says it’s particularly important to provide for other parents so they, too, can have the “opportunity to experience the joy of Christmas and giving.”
More than 190 families were supported this year as a result of the collective shopping effort, and it wouldn’t be possible without the help from volunteers who donate their funds and their time to shop for those who don’t have the luxury of doing so themselves.
“The school district and parents have been so supportive, and we are grateful,” McGrew says. “Beech Acres has been a very important part of our community by helping parents who may need guidance with changing, or (with) struggling families. Some of the families in need are classmates of our students. We want this project to teach the value of giving back.”
Do Good:
• Call Katie Helmes at 513-233-4715 if you would like to help.
• Support Beech Acres by
donating.
• Connect with Beech Acres Parenting Center on
Facebook.
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