DOVER — Valentine’s Day is not just for sweethearts. Thursday, February 14 is the day that Schools and Foster Care Programs throughout Delaware will be able to pick up all the warm winter clothes collected by GACEC in their Heart 2 Heart Hugs annual campaign. Donations can still be dropped off at the GACEC office located in the old train station at 516 Loockerman Street in Dover.

Sue O’Day from Fleece for Keeps of Wilmington donated 65 blankets. (see photo and cutline below) Project Warm donated 800 winter coats and people from the community and other state agencies donated new store bought and handmade items for distribution.

This years distribution is on Valentines day with distribution to schools and foster care programs across Delaware. Some claim that this is too late for such a campaign. Wendy Strauss responded, “ Some of the items do go to students this winter. Mostly the schools need their inventory restocked so they have it when the need arises at the beginning and throughout the school year. Right now, retail stores are reducing their winter wear so it is a good time to buy and donate to the campaign.”

There is still time to donate! Staff will be at the office today until 4 p.m. if you would like to drop off donations. For additional information please contact Kathie Cherry by calling 302-739-4553 or email her at Kathie.cherry@gacec.k12.de.us and if you would like to donate items for Delaware’s homeless children.

Dover, Delaware-January 2019 – Help us give a child that is homeless or in foster care a warm hug! Cold weather is still in the forecast and everyone deserves to stay warm. Who doesn’t like getting a hug or knowing that someone cares?

The GACEC and its community Partners are doing just that for the children of Delaware who are homeless or in foster care. This year we have been privileged to partner with many organizations and individuals who have given generously. For the fifth year Operation Warm has donated cases of coats totaling around 800 to the cause. I Heart Media had also been an invaluable partner, helping raise awareness of the need and bringing in many more drop off locations throughout the state. We are grateful to once again have received generous donations of hundreds of handmade blankets from Kozy Kovers for Kids and Fleece for Keeps.

Wendy Strauss, Executive Director of the Governor’s Advisory Council for Exceptional Citizens, shared “It’s hard for children to learn when their basic needs aren’t even met. We want to ensure that they have the opportunity to stay warm and feel loved regardless of their situation. It is always so heartwarming knowing that Delaware residents always come through and give so generously to those in need. We truly are connecting hearts and collecting hugs for those in need.”

Donations of socks, sweatshirts and sweatpants, warm pajamas and toiletry items are still greatly needed. These items are in short supply for this year’s drive. If you can help please consider donating today.
Drop-off points are located throughout the state and may be found on the homepage of the GACEC at http://gacec.delaware.gov. Contact the GACEC at (302) 739-4553 or Sybil Brown, GACEC Administrative Coordinator Sybil.brown@gacec.k12.de.us for additional information.

The 10th Annual Heart 2 Heart Hugs Campaign for Delaware’s Homeless Children Need Coats, Hats, Sleeping Bags, Gloves and other warm new or hand made items.

It’s been a decade since the Governor’s Advisory Council for Exceptional Citizens (GACEC) has orchestrated the Heart 2 Heart Hugs campaign which provides warm winter clothes to school districts for homeless children in Delaware. “The thought behind it is to provide a warm comfy hug to Delaware’s homeless and children in foster care. We do this through warm winter clothes,” said Wendy Strauss the Executive Director of the Governor’s Advisory Council for Exceptional Citizens.

This campaign originally started as Project Hug and Sleeping Bag Campaign. “Sleeping bags gave children something they could carry from place to place that is theirs; a comfort item providing a sense of security,” said Strauss. The GACEC is looking for NEW hats, coats, scarves, gloves, buntings, snow suits, footie pajamas, blankets, comforters, sleeping bags, snow pants and hoodies for homeless children and foster care children from birth through 18 years of age.

This years distribution is on Valentines day with distribution to schools and foster care programs across Delaware. Some claim that this is too late for such a campaign. Wendy Strauss responded, “ Some of the items do go to students this winter. Mostly the schools need their inventory restocked so they have it when the need arises at the beginning and throughout the school year. Right now, retail stores are reducing their winter wear so it is a good time to buy and donate to the campaign.”

Donations will be accepted until February 12, 2019 at the 30 drop-off locations throughout the state. A list of donations sites can be found at https://gacec.delaware.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2018/12/Heart-2-Heart-Hugs-2018-3.pdf For additional information please contact Kathie Cherry by calling 302-739-4553 or email her at Kathie.cherry@gacec.k12.de.us and if you would like to donate items for Delaware’s homeless children.

The Governor’s Advisory Council for Exceptional Citizens (GACEC) and its community partners, are pleased to report that the Heart 2 Heart Hugs campaign has now begun. Heart 2 Heart Hugs is focused on providing warmth, comfort, hugs and smiles for kids and young adults in Delaware who are homeless or in foster care. Donations of “hugs” (to include new or handmade coats, blankets, scarves, gloves, fleece items, monetary donations and more) will continue until February 2019 for this year’s effort.

The GACEC has received tremendous support not only from individuals within the community, but from area businesses, state agencies and other organizations as well. Most recently the Twisted Stitchers crocheting group that meets at Dover’s Modern Maturity Center donated many large bags of beautiful handmade items. In October the program was blessed with another large donation of handmade items from the Care Wear project that is part of Volunteer Delaware.

Statistics from the Delaware Department of Education (DOE) show that in the 2017-18 school year, there were 21,168 students receiving special education services. Roughly one third of those students are homeless or in foster care. Homelessness impacts children and the State of Delaware in many ways. Health issues, food security and educational proficiency are areas that the report uses to show how great the needs are for children who are homeless. Wendy Strauss, executive director of the GACEC stated that “…this project connects hearts and collects hugs for our children in foster care and for our children who are homeless.

Programs like this let our children know that we are thinking about them and we care for them.” Dover Mayor, Robin R. Christiansen commented during his remarks at the Kickoff Event, held November 29th at Central Middle School, “Every one of us can make a difference in the lives of someone who is not as fortunate as we are, and we should strive to do that daily.” Secretary Josette Manning of the Division of Services for Children Youth and their Families (DSCYF) spoke about the blessing that this program is to those experiencing placement in foster care or homelessness. “Often the transition to foster care is a move that is quick and traumatic for the children, having something of their very own at a new place can be such a comfort.” Wendy Strauss concluded the kickoff by reminding everyone to connect hearts and collect hugs for our children who are homeless or in foster care across the State. Items will be collected through February 11, 2019, with the distribution event scheduled to take place on February 14, 2019 at George Massey Station in Dover. The distribution reception will allow foster care representatives and school homeless liaisons from around the State the opportunity to select needed items for their clients.

Drop-off points are located throughout the state and may be found on the homepage of the GACEC at http://gacec.delaware.gov. Contact the GACEC at (302) 739-4553 or Sybil Baker, GACEC Administrative Coordinator Sybil.brown@gacec.k12.de.us for additional information.

Who would have thought that a march of advocates from Philadelphia to DC would end up choreographed into a theatrical production? In 2003, 200 people with disabilities and their advocates marched from Philadelphia to Wilmington, through central Delaware, west to Baltimore and finally to the U.S. Capitol – to demand their rights as citizens, to be full members of their communities, and to end the practice of shutting people away in facilities. During the 2-week journey, they blocked traffic for 144 miles and camped along the way.

Boundless took the audience on that trek this weekend by combining the recollected stories of Delawareans with disabilities and the sometimes-difficult history of our Nation’s struggle to ensure dignity and justice for all. Theater allows us to ponder and celebrate the intricacies of our shared humanity through campfire stories of hardship, resilience and celebration. The cast of thirty was composed of people from the Delaware disability community and supporters ages 6 to 70.

Everyone should know that people with disabilities can and should be supported by all of us and be part of the intricate fabric of our communities. Many people without disabilities are discovering that every one of us faces challenges in life – and that we each have moments of brilliance. One of the lines in the show reads, “If you’re fortunate to live a long life, you WILL experience disability…up close and personal!” We’re all in the same boat – and we need each other. We are interdependent! Nearly 800 attended the three performances at Dover High School this past weekend. Congratulations to the cast and crew of this wonderful musical adventure!