Recess Pieces

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We did it! 

In partnership with JoAnn Lelek Elementary School in Silver Spring and The MoCo Holiday Giving Project (HGP), we were able to support 780 families during December 2022.  Each family received a bag full of food - enough to feed 6 people and a gift card to a grocery store.

The bags were distributed at JoAnn Lelek to support their school families and at the Bethesda Fire Station to support those families that signed up to receive support through the MoCo HGP. Smaller portions were delivered to various senior communities in Moco and to clients at Sheppard Pratt's Family Support Program.

Many of the children we serve come from other cultures.  Many of their parents are not aware of how to do things in this new land.  One thing we learned from a school counselor is that some of these girls that start their menstrual cycles early (in 4th or 5th grade) end up missing school for a few days each month.  She discovered that at times it's the cost of the pad that's an issue; other times it's the embarrassment.  So, she asked if we could provide "girly pouches" that can be kept in the classroom so that these girls have something pretty to carry to the bathroom and avoid the embarrassment of the pad. The pads are donated to the school and our pouches will now make the trip a bit more comfortable.  

Thanks to The Wilkerson Family - Winners of the very first Champion For Change Award - the Mohican Hills area experienced its first Block Party For Good.  

Thanks to our Amazing Sponsors and Donors - we raised just over $18,000 to fund our 2023 projects.  

The 2023 Block Party is already in the plans!

Thanks to our Sponsors & Partners

www.greaterbethesdachamber.org

mammaluciarestaurants.com  www.MDLO.org

 www.nothingbundtcakes.com  www.tiaqueta.com 

 www.lifexapparel.com  www.TrioCaliente.com

 Sepp Walzer Fest Band    www.FunKidsJump.com  Sweetbay Yoga    www.erichcabeteam.com

Yellow Boomerang was proud to provide 286 backpacks to local public-school children.  This project was intended to help the recipients and the volunteers. It was especially designed to involve our younger neighbors. Led by Ryleigh, Cyrus, Asher and Frankie (all ages 7-11), this project invited volunteers between the ages of 6-12 only. The strategic direction and the activities were all designed and implemented by these young future leaders.  The bags were chalk full of school supplies that are required by the county.  The school supplies were donated by local community members and were assembled by our team of Young Volunteers.  We are hoping to make this an annual project

The main focus of this project was to help as many Afghan Refugee families settle in the US. Some were in hotels and some were in their temporary or permanent homes.  Our goal was to help provide household and clothing items in order to help these families transition to this local community. Items provided were various but mostly focused on clothing (season appropriate) and household items such as vacuum cleaners, tea kettles, pots/pans, dishes, etc.  We were able to help 106 families resettle and over 330 individuals at a local hotel better tolerate their stay by providing personal care items, coasts, shoes, etc.  In addition to these items, we also provided culturally appropriate food items.  

Anna Behnam won the NextDoor 100 award for her efforts on this project. 

For this project, we collected donated toys  to distribute to a low income neighborhood.  The kids were over the moon with excitement.  A completely feel good day.  Thanks to our many, many donors and our 30+ volunteers that made it all happen.

For this project, we collected donations from our friends, family, neighbors and local community to purchase dinner items to make a “complete holiday meal” kit for each of 450 plus families.

Families picked up their much needed food at a local fire house.

For this project, we collected donations from our friends, family, neighbors and local community to purchase dinner items to make a “complete holiday meal” kit for each of 250 plus families.