WATERVILLE — This summer, Maine Children’s Home is relaunching its monthlong Christmas in July partnership with Maine’s credit unions, aimed at collecting essential items and donations for the expansion of Maine Children’s Home’s Christmas/Winter Essentials Program. The holiday and winter assistance program supports children and youth across Maine whose families are facing financial hardship. This year, the program is broadening the age range it serves to include ages 13 through 17.

According to the United Way’s United for ALICE report, 42% of Maine families struggle to meet their basic needs. This statistic underscores the vital importance of MCH’s Christmas / Winter Essentials Program, and why MCH is expanding the age range this year to include youth through the age of 17. Previously, the program provided essential items, clothing, toys, and games to children ages 0 to 12. Expanding the age range through 17 help support the mental health of teens during the winter months and provides families with some additional relief, according to a news release from Chelsea Ellis with the children’s home.

“By including 13 through 17, we can address the unique needs of teenagers, ensuring they receive practical items like clothing and hygiene products that are crucial for their well-being,” said Amanda Simmons, director of Christmas/Winter Essentials Program.

To better understand the needs of teenagers, MCH reached out to a focus group at the South End Teen Center that provided valuable insights. Their suggestions highlighted the need for basic clothing items and hygiene products, including underwear, socks, pants, shirts, deodorant, shampoo, and body wash.

MCH is reaching out to local credit unions to assist in building inventory to support Maine’s youth. Credit unions can participate in the Christmas in July Campaign through several avenues:

Hosting a Gift Drive: Encourage patrons to donate specific items.
Posting a Giving Tree Poster: Provide options for patrons to give online.
Sponsoring a Family: Help raise money for essential items for a family in need.
To add an element of fun and friendly competition, participating credit unions will be eligible for two contests:

Christmas in July Champion Award: Presented to the credit union that collects or raises the most for the Christmas / Winter Essentials Program.
Christmas in July Spirit Award: Presented to the credit union that best embodies the Christmas-in-July spirit through lobby decorations.
Winning branches will be celebrated with a trophy and an office breakfast.

Anyone outside of credit unions can help MCH’s Christmas/Winter Essentials Program build up its inventory for teens in need.

The program is in need of donations of the following: Clothing for teen boys, men’s long sleeve T-shirts (adult small to 3XL), men’s athletic pants (adult small to 3XL), men’s sweatshirts/hoodies (adult small to 3XL), men’s underwear in all sizes (small to 3XL) and men’s socks in all sizes.

Clothing for teen girls: Junior’s long sleeve T-shirts (small to 3XL), Junior’s athletic pants/leggings (small to 3XL), Junior’s sweatshirts/hoodies (small to 3XL), Junior’s underwear in all sizes (small to 3XL) and Junior’s socks in all sizes.

Hygiene supplies: Shampoo, conditioner, body wash, loofahs, hand soap, hand/body lotion, feminine hygiene products, deodorant and nail clippers.

For more information, contact Simmons at [email protected] or visit MaineChildrensHome.org.

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