Share the Warmth 2021 | Keeping Students Warm, Safe, and Healthy
The Education Foundation of BCPS In Collaboration with BCPS Division of School Climate and Safety (Social Emotional Supports and Pupil Personnel Services)
With the cold winter months upon us, The Education Foundation of BCPS has received an outpouring of generosity from the community sustaining its annual campaign Share the Warmth. Through the challenges faced in 2020 and 2021, staying warm, safe and healthy are fundamental needs. Some do not always have access to a warm coat, a cozy hat, scarf, gloves, socks, or mittens. For that reason, the Share the Warmth campaign answers the call to those in need. 
This year, over $8,600 of winter accessories, health and wellness supplies, and social emotional learning resources were distributed to students throughout the BCPS district, through pupil personal workers and educators. These items were provided by generous members of the community who organized collection drives in their neighborhoods, provided drop off locations at local businesses, purchased items, or made a monetary donation. As a result, boxes, and bags of items, were collected, picked up, and delivered to the Exchangerees at THE AVENUE at White Marsh and at The Exchangeree at Windsor Mill. In addition to winter accessories, social-emotional learning resources, books, packages of tissues, hand sanitizer, and personal care items were included in the distribution process to contribute to healthy living and eliminate the spread of germs from one individual to another, or one household to another.
The impact the Share the Warmth campaign is having within the BCPS community is notable. “This is my second year collaborating with Debbie Phelps of The Education Foundation on the Share the Warmth campaign. This year’s event held even more importance and relevance for students as many of the items available were geared toward promoting student’s social-emotional well-being. Yes, the usual items (ie. hats, coats, scarves, gloves, socks, hand sanitizer, and tissues) were available. However, it was a nice touch by the Education Foundation to tailor this year’s event to include support for student’s mental health. Kudos to Ms. Phelps and her team for curating a worthwhile list of donations for PPWs to share with students and families.” –Kevin Roberts, Coordinator of Pupil Personnel Services
As quoted by a BCPS Educator who participated in the campaign, “I have always been a fan of Debbie Phelps and her passion for helping our disadvantaged children and youth. I especially enjoyed this recent event because I was able to meet her fabulous team. I also enjoyed the ability to hand pick items for specific families that have pulled at my heartstrings over the last few years. The parents and children were so appreciative and grateful.”
-Lisa Mazzilli, PPW for the Perry Hall feeder system
The Education Foundation would like to thank all those who participated in the Share the Warmth campaign. Through their generosity, many students and educators know they have a caring community.
A student’s health and well-being will impact a student’s academic growth and overall achievement in school. We extend gratitude and appreciation to our Education Champions who contributed to the Share the Warmth Campaign. They include the following:
Community Businesses
Aetna – a CVS Health Company
American Design Associates
Best Friends Fur Ever
Chick-fil-A Franchises throughout the Baltimore Region
Douron
Federal Realty at THE AVENUE at White Marsh
First Financial Federal Credit Union
Hallmark at THEAVENUE
Media Star Promotions
Target – Owings Mills
United Way of Central Maryland
Walden University
Women’s Daily Post
Friends, Neighbors, Relatives, and Colleagues
Alicia Fales
Dr. Amalio Nieves
Amy Peterson
Carol Hasson
Darice Dixon
Elizabeth O’Brien Davies
Erica London
Joan Kramer
Julia Trintis
Julie Traunt
Laura and James Schreiber
Leslie Wiener
Lutherville Lab School PTA
Pam Morrow
Sabina Moran
Sharon Parker
Sibyl Faus
Timmy Ruppersberger
During future dates, BCPS educators will be able to register to visit either of our two locations for The Exchangeree at specified times and dates to shop resources and supplies. Not only will they be able to choose from items donated through the Share the Warmth campaign, but school supplies will also be available, year-round provided through the Tools for School campaign and new and gently used books through the Books for Bins campaign.
The Education Foundation of Baltimore County Public Schools continues to bridge partnerships between the community and the district, supporting programs that are not supported through allocated funds from tax dollars. We look forward to sharing more information about The Exchangerees.
Join us, by visiting our Web site to learn more about The Exchangeree or to become involved with The Foundation of BCPS, Inc. it is easy to participate. When you choose to collect school supplies or volunteer, you can do so online here. To schedule a drop off donation of school supplies, winter accessories and books by viewing our drop-off dates and registering here. If you would like to make a monetary donation you can also do that online. All the information, resources, and tools you need can be found on The Education Foundation Web site for The Exchangeree
The Foundation is a 501 C (3) tax exempt, nonprofit organization, under Internal Revenue Service regulations to attract and direct public financial contributions to programs and activities of the school system in support of quality education for all children.
Donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.