Grandma’s Kids, a Temple-sponsored afterschool program designed to support the needs of elementary children who are not living with a biological parent, depends on donations from an annual sponsor to supply gifts for their holiday party.

However, this year the program has lost its main contributor, leaving the children without toys for the first time since the program began its Christmas drive. In an effort to make sure students have at least one special gift for the holiday, program coordinators are asking the Temple community to make toy donations.

Temple students, faculty and staff can visit the Center for Intergenerational Learning, located at 1700 North Broad Street and select a crayon-sketched, self portrait and wish list submitted by students enrolled in Grandma’s Kids.

“The children have been talking about Christmas since September; they’re really excited this time of year,” said Mondell Rogers, a teacher’s aide at Harrison Elementary School. “It would be a shame if they didn’t have gifts to open during their holiday party.”

Temple provides family support services to children in Grandma’s Kids, who are placed in the care of grandparents or other relatives due to parental abandonment, substance abuse, illness, incarceration, neglect or abuse.

The program is partially funded by the Philadelphia Department of Human Services Division of Community-Based Prevention Services and serves children age from seven to 12 years old who attend Blankenburg, Blaine, Harrison, McKinley elementary schools in the Philadelphia School District.

“With the support of the Temple community, I know we can help make the holiday special for these students,” said Woods-Jones.

For more information about Grandma's Kids, contact Joy Woods Jones, Project Coordinator, at (215) 204-3105 or joyjones@temple.edu.