Child Development Resources (CDR) has been busy this holiday season collecting and distributing much-needed items for families enrolled in its programs.
CDR serves more than 1,000 local babies and toddlers each year – children with disabilities, developmental delay or who are at risk for delay – and many of these families need extra help this time of year. To fill these needs, the organization collects items from CDR staff and volunteers.
Lisa Thomas, CDR’s deputy director, spearheads this effort to help CDR families. “We first try to match family needs to available resources and community outreach groups, such as the Salvation Army or Grove Christian Outreach,” she said. “But there are times when our families don’t qualify for those programs, or fail to meet program deadlines.
“By the time they get to me it’s because they’ve exhausted all other opportunities. We just want to fill the gap, and keep these families from falling through the cracks.”
This year, CDR collected a variety of gifts and everyday necessities, such as diapers, new toys and clothing. Staff also found practical items, including a warm coat one father requested for his job working outdoors.
Other big ticket items were also on the agency’s wish list. “We were fortunate to help a mother whose car required immediate brake repair in partnership with American Pride,” Thomas said.
According to Thomas, the need this year has been large, with the agency shopping for 47 families and more than 100 children. Even so, CDR met the needs of all those families.
“Every year it just seems to work out,” she said, and stressed that the organization purposely doesn’t collect items for their families from the general public. “The best way to help CDR serve families in the Historic Triangle is to support our many programs through donation.”
For more information or to donate, visit www.cdr.org or call 757-566-3300. You can find CDR on Facebook at facebook.com/CDR.org.
