Heart 2 Heart Hugs collecting blankets and clothing for homeless children

The Governor’s Advisory Council for Exceptional Citizens is again partnering with state agencies, community organizations and area schools, to collect hugs for children in Delaware who are homeless or in foster care. Heart 2 Heart Hugs provides warmth, comfort, hugs and smiles for kids and young adults in Delaware who are homeless or in foster care.

To date, Heart 2 Heart has received over 500 articles from community groups, state employees and individuals. Delawareans have large hearts and are generous to others. For instance, when 13-year-old Anaya Harrison learned about the program, she continued her family’s tradition of giving to others by requesting blankets from guests who were attending her birthday party. Anaya is an eighth-grader at Skyline Middle School and a co-captain of the West Wilmington Wolverines Pathfinders Club.

The Pathfinders Club is a community partner of the Heart 2 Heart Hugs Campaign, along with Greater Wilmington Adventist Community Services. In addition to resources from groups like Fleece for Keeps, Kozy Kovers and Mr. Chow of the Camden Super Walmart, this year, the campaign received information on a federal blanket program for the homeless and will be receiving 1,500 blankets to be distributed at the Distribution Reception Feb. 13.

GACEC Executive Director Wendy Strauss said, “Every year I am truly amazed at the kind, caring and giving individuals who live in our great state and give to this project to help keep our children who are homeless and our children who are in foster care warm. Their giving also lets our children know others care. We are truly connecting hearts and collecting hugs for our children. We are still in need of coats, gloves, hats mittens, sweat pants and shirts and other warm items. We have over 3,000 children that fall in the category of being homeless or in foster care and of that number, one third are receiving special education services."

Drop-off points are located throughout the state and may be found on the GACEC website at www.gacec.delaware.gov. Interested parties may also contact the GACEC offices at 302-739-4553 or Kathie Cherry, GACEC office manager, at Kathie.cherry@gacec.k12.de.us for more information.