KidsGiving Highlights
Welcome to the first KidsGiving newsletter!
It has been a great start to the school year with new partners, projects, and volunteers. We have expanded to three Arlington elementary schools, and are looking forward to opportunities to grow as we kick off 2022!
Meet Our Executive Board

We are thrilled to introduce our team of KidsGiving leaders who are passionate about teaching the importance of kindness and giving back to our community to children in Arlington:
KidsGiving @ Arlington Science Focus School
This is Arlington Science Focus School's first year introducing the KidsGiving program. With over 90 student members from Kindergarten through 5th Grade, the community has embraced KidsGiving as its community service focus for the 2021-22 school year, thanks to ASFS KidsGiving Lead, Kristen Jeffreys, and parent volunteers.
October 2021: Arlington Food Assistance Center

ASFS hosted a food drive to support AFAC, with each grade level focused on a different food item. ASFS students collected 459 total food items, a grand total of 482 lbs. to help feed our neighbors in need! Congratulations to ASFS 4th Graders for contributing the most food items, with 118 canned vegetables.
November 2021: The Clothesline for Arlington Kids

ASFS collected fall and winter clothing for The Clothesline for Arlington Kids. Kindergarteners hosted their own hats, gloves, and mittens drive and sponsored the project by making signs and sharing updates on the school morning announcements.
December 2021: Animal Welfare League of Arlington

ASFS families donated animal toys and supplies to the The Animal Welfare League of Arlington to support AWLA's Stuff the Sleigh event. ASFS 2nd Graders supported AWLA by making 'spider ring' cat toys to donate to the Arlington shelter.
Kindness Calendar
In Partnership With Gifts That Give Hope

The ASFS community spread kindness during the holiday season by encouraging students to complete an act of kindness each day with their family, and to keep track of every act of kindness completed.
KidsGiving @ Taylor Elementary School
October 2021: Arlington Food Assistance Center

Taylor hosted a food drive to support AFAC, with a friendly competition to see which grade could donate the most food. Taylor students donated a total of 901 pounds of food to help feed families in need in our community! Taylor's 1st grade donated the most food and won a pajama day for their class.
November 2021: The Clothesline for Arlington Kids

Taylor families donated fall and winter clothing for The Clothesline for Arlington Kids and held an event after school to sort the donated clothes and to learn more about how The Clothesline for Arlington Kids helps students in our community.
December 2021: Animal Welfare League of Arlington

Taylor families donated animal toys and supplies to the The Animal Welfare League of Arlington to support AWLA's Stuff the Sleigh event. Taylor's 5th graders also received an educational visit from AWLA and their animal ambassadors to learn more about how AWLA helps animals in our community. 
Giving Tuesday Donation Station

As part of Giving Tuesday on Tuesday, November 30th, students at Taylor Elementary School set up donation jars outside school, and raised over $850 for six deserving local Arlington nonprofits, including PathForward and Phoenix Bikes!

Thanks to Taylor KidsGiving Lead, Mary Sanders, for leading the Donation Station and other KidsGiving events and activities this year!
KidsGiving @ Jamestown Elementary School
Holiday Gift Drive for VHC Pediatrics and Arlington Families

While Jamestown continues to grow the KidsGiving program as well as honor long-standing relationships and annual philanthropic events, they led a hugely successful holiday gift drive supporting Virginia Hospital Center Pediatrics and Arlington families in need, thanks to generous donations from their community.

Contact KidsGiving Lead, Molly Wolff, for more information about KidsGiving at Jamestown Elementary School.
Get Involved With KidsGiving
As we continue to expand KidsGiving in Arlington, we would love to hear from you!

If you know of a local nonprofit interested in partnering with KidsGiving, please contact KidsGiving President and VP Partnerships, Amanda Sutton.

If you are a parent/school lead at an Arlington elementary school, and would like to learn more about starting a KidsGiving program at your school, please contact VP Outreach, Christa Mansur.

If you have any local nonprofit news or KidsGiving updates to highlight in our next newsletter, please email VP Communications, Dena Porter.
About KidsGiving: KidsGiving is an organization designed to teach students the importance of philanthropy through a partnership with local non-profit organizations in Arlington, Virginia. The goal is to work with many different types of non-profits so our children learn about the numerous and unique needs of our community, as well as the positive impact they can make.