News & Columns > Michael P. Neufeld > New Cold Weather Clothing Being Collected

New Cold Weather Clothing Being Collected

First 5 Staff Makes A Difference

By Michael P. Neufeld
Tuesday, October 14, 2008

San Bernardino, CA - First 5 San Bernardino is set to participate in Make A Difference Day on October 25. Staff of First 5 San Bernardino are pulling together to gather new jackets, gloves, scarves and beanies, for children ages 0-5, to be distributed across San Bernardino County.

In years past, First 5 has participated in Make A Difference Day in several ways. These include: assistance to local day care centers with building playgrounds, painting, center "clean ups" and donating playground equipment. All based on a specific goal in the overall Strategic Plan. Having met that goal, this year, First 5 San Bernardino has taken a different approach.

Make A Difference Day is October 25. (Photo by USA Weekend.)

"This year, we anticipated the need of cool weather clothing for children across our county," according to Mary Alvarez, Contract Analyst for First 5 San Bernardino and one of the MADD event coordinators. "First 5 is all about assisting the children in need in our community and our staff felt this would be a perfect tribute to our mission."

Now in its 16th year, Make A Difference Day is a nationally recognized day that is dedicated to helping others, and is a celebration of neighbors helping neighbors. It was created by USA Weekend Magazine and is an annual event that takes place on the fourth Saturday of every October.

New jackets and cool weather items may be dropped off at First 5 San Bernardino, located at 330 N. D Street in San Bernardino. Drop off donations can be made between October 20 and October 24 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. or on October 25 from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. Any additional information needed, please call First 5 at (909)-386-7706 or visit http://www.first5sanbernardino.org.

ABOUT FIRST FIVE Research shows that a child's brain develops most dramatically in the first five years and what parents and caregivers do during these years to support their child's growth will have a meaningful impact throughout life. Based on this research, California voters passed Proposition 10 in 1998, adding a 50 cents-per-pack tax on cigarettes to support programs for expectant parents and children ages 0 to 5.