The Maine Children's Home Lacking Donations to Support 1,700 Children This Christmas

​WATERVILLE, Maine - The Maine Children’s Home for Little Wanderers is in urgent need of donations for their Christmas Program to help support over 1,700 children throughout the state of Maine. Each year, the Christmas Program at the Maine Children’s Home distributes boxes of gifts and clothing to more than 1,700 children who are financially disadvantaged. Each box typically contains two sets of hats and mittens, pajamas, an outfit of clothing, a coloring/activity book, crayons or markers, two toys, and a game for the family to share.

​The Maine Children’s Home’s Christmas application opened the last week of October and within four weeks, they reached the maximum number of children that can be supported through the program. In order to help fulfill all of these children’s needs this Christmas, this Waterville-based organization is requesting donations from the community. All items donated must be new and in their original packaging, should not be gift-wrapped. The most urgent needs are:

• Boys warm pajamas
• Boys warm outfits (in slim & husky sizes too)
• Boys mittens/gloves
• Boys & girls underwear
• Boys & girls socks
• Girls warm pajamas
• Girls warm outfits
• Books for children age 9-12
• Popular toys (Frozen, Fortnite, Jojo Siwa, Toy Story, PJ Mask, LOL Surprise, Paw Patrol, Minecraft, Legos, Play-Doh)

To see a complete list of needs, click here. 
 
New donations can be dropped off at the Christmas House (building #3) on the Maine Children’s Home campus at 93 Silver Street in Waterville on Monday through Friday 8 am – 6 pm. Alternate drop-off locations include:

• Mix Maine Media 12 Shuman Avenue #12, Augusta
  • Monday through Friday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
• Mix Maine Media 295 Kennedy Memorial Drive, Waterville
  • Monday through Friday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
• Arundel Machine Tool Co. 78 Roller Rink Road, Oxford
  • Monday through Friday 6:00 am - 3:00 pm
• McDonald's 9 China Road, Winslow
  • Monday through Sunday 5:00 am - 11:00 pm
• Dollar General 180 Waterman Drive, South Portland
  • Monday through Wednesday 8:00 am – 9:00 pm, Thursday 7:00 am – 10:00 pm, Friday through Sunday 8:00 am – 9:00 pm

Because of the generosity of the community, New Balance, Barnes & Noble, Toys for Tots, the Pajama Program, Delivering Good, and the volunteer organization called the Friends of the Maine Children’s Home, this nonprofit is able to support over 1,700 children through the Christmas Program. Marden’s has also supported the Maine Children's Home and the Christmas Program with great impact through their Red Stocking Appeal program. 
For more information about The Maine Children’s Home, please visit MaineChildrensHome.org

About: The Maine Children's Home for Little Wanderers features a full Hague-accredited adoption program that provides assistance to families hoping to adopt internationally or domestically. The Maine Children's Home for Little Wanderers, founded in 1899, builds and strengthens Maine families and their children, instilling hope for the future and a better quality of life. In addition to the adoption program, the agency offers outpatient counseling, the Sharon Abrams Teen Parent School Program, The Children's Place Early Care and Education Center, a summer camp scholarship program, and a Christmas Program that provides clothing and toys to underprivileged Maine children.
For more information on the Maine Children's Home, please visit MaineChildrensHome.org. 

CONTACT:
Samy Sturtevant
Media & Marketing Coordinator
(207) 873-4253
ssturtevant@mainechildrenshome.org