Holiday Community Collaborative

As a community Service project, AAUW  participates in the Holiday Community  Collaborative with many other non-profit organizations in the Big Bear Valley. Community moms in need may sign-up for help with Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners through the Collaborative. These sign-ups are vetted and organized to ensure that everyone who qualifies gets a donation.

AAUW has participated in the Holiday Community Collaborative for years.  We provide  gift cards to the area grocery stores now, rather than baskets that were distributed before the COVID pandemic.

There are good examples of who receives these gift cards. For instance, in 2021, the branch donated gift cards to 12 single mothers and their families for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Most of the moms work and had lived in Big Bear for many years.  One of the single mothers was newly single after separating from her children’s father.  With three children ages five to eight, she’s struggles.  Another single mom with two children had moved to Big Bear to live with her father, due to the affordable housing shortage.  Two mothers had four boys each to feed.

A mom expressed gratitude for the gift card rather than a box of food. She preferred to shop and buy the food that suits their preferences and holiday traditions.

Every year, recipients are so grateful for this help during the holidays. This is truly a feel good project— helping struggling single mothers provide a nice holiday dinner for their children.

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