Save Our Children holding holiday gift drive

Save Our Children, the after-school and summer children’s program in Elyria, is ringing in the holiday season with a Christmas gift drive for local youngsters.

The drive is accepting clothing and gifts for children in need for the winter season until Dec. 14, according to a news release.

This year, Save Our Children aims to collect gifts for 128 children enrolled in its programs.

Save Our Children has served disadvantaged youth in Elyria for more than 30 years, with a mission to improve literacy, promote academic excellence and cultivate leadership in at-risk youth in the community, the release said.

The organization is committed to narrowing the ever-widening opportunity gap for students in kindergarten-12th grade through after-school and summer programs designed to help them realize their full and unlimited potential, according to the release.

“Over 90 percent of our children come from families who truly struggle to provide even the most basic essentials,” said Lisa Gonzalez Bramhall, executive director of Save Our Children. “The much needed support of our community helps us ensure every child receives a Christmas gift of new clothes and shoes.

“This can have a huge impact on a child’s self-esteem, inside and outside of school.”

The Christmas gift drive asks each donor to sponsor a child by purchasing two outfits including a shirt, pants and at least one item from the child’s simple wish list.

Every sponsor will receive the child’s first name, sizes and the items on his or her wish list.

Save Our Children requests gifts are delivered unwrapped to 330 2nd St.

The organization also will accept cash donations on behalf of a child and it will purchase the gifts, according to the release.

Children and their families then are invited to attend the organization’s Christmas party Dec. 20 for a holiday meal and presentation of the gifts.

The party and donations are brought together by the Save Our Children staff, Soul to Sole and First Congregational Church, the release said.

Every child is expected to receive two outfits, an item from their wish list, pajamas, socks, underwear and a new pair of shoes.

To sponsor a child, patrons may contact Save Our Children at 440-3233272.

Sponsors also can email Bramhall at lisabramhall@gmail.com or text her at 440-225-0660.

“Over 90 percent of our children come from families who truly struggle to provide even the most basic essentials.”

— Lisa Gonzalez Bramhall, executive director of Save Our Children