ECS4Kids children tear open Christmas gifts 

A'mora Williams, Jarvis Porter, Cason Williamson and Seth Brown unwrap Operation Impact gifts on Thursday.
A'mora, Jarvis, Cason and Seth unwrap Operation Impact gifts on Thursday.
Photo by Glory Reitz

Triumphant squeals of joy filled the Episcopal Children’s Services for Kids locations on Thursday as Operation Impact passed out Christmas gifts to students. 

Princeton Wallace and Danna Vera (green hair) show off their new Christmas gifts.
Photo by Glory Reitz Princeton and Danna (green hair) show off their new Christmas gifts.

Operation Impact adopted ECS4Kids as a community partner earlier this year to provide classroom supplies, and for the holidays the organization used wish lists from parents to do a “Target Takeover.”  

 Team members wrapped the gifts, and each student got a bag full of them, opening one on Thursday and taking the rest back for Christmas day. 

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Operation Impact’s annual “Holiday Impact” initiative focuses on providing children holiday gifts that they would not otherwise receive. According to the program website, each child’s every $200 – $250 provides one child presents “fit to their wishes.” 

Episcopal Children’s Services, or ECS4Kids, provides early childhood education such as VPK, Head Start and School Readiness for underserved children in Northeast and Central Florida, as well as support and guidance for families seeking high-quality care and educational opportunities. According to its website, ECS4Kids’ mission is to build a strong foundation for each child, ensuring they are prepared for lifelong learning and success. 

ECS4Kids’s three locations in Gainesville, and one in Chiefland, all received Christmas gifts. 

Ty'rrell Gibson clutches his new Lion King Lego set.
Photo by Glory Reitz Ty’rrell clutches his new Lion King Lego set.
Tobias Harper-Brunson and Damara Ryles (pink & white shirt) open their gifts with an Operation Impact team member.
Photo by Glory Reitz Tobias and Damara (pink & white shirt) open their gifts with an Operation Impact team member.
Reginald Taylor unwraps a present on Thursday morning.
Photo by Glory Reitz Reginald unwraps a present on Thursday morning.
Operation Impact's Coordinator of Volunteers Anthony Pierce holds a child during the excitement of gift opening on Thursday morning.
Photo by Glory Reitz Operation Impact’s Coordinator of Volunteers Anthony holds a child during the excitement of gift opening on Thursday morning.
Marlee Christian smiles as she unwraps a baby doll.
Photo by Glory Reitz Marlee smiles as she unwraps a baby doll.
Kayden Dupree holds up his newly-unwrapped gift to show it off.
Photo by Glory Reitz Kayden holds up his newly-unwrapped gift to show it off.
Karlee Harris (purple hearts) displays her new baby doll.
Photo by Glory Reitz Karlee (purple hearts) displays her new baby doll.
ECS's Assistant Center Manager Ferlessia Hunt helps Sincere Johnson open a gift from Operation Impact.
Photo by Glory Reitz ECS’s Assistant Center Manager Ferlessia Hunt helps Sincere open a gift from Operation Impact.
Cali Turner hugs her new toy with a smile.
Photo by Glory Reitz Cali hugs her new toy with a smile.
Artist Stinson, Khloe Miles, Royalty Mack and Te'mia Kimmons tear open their Christmas gifts.
Photo by Glory Reitz Artist, Khloe, Royalty and Te’mia tear open their Christmas gifts.

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Concerned Citizen

Oh boy, what fun!!!! As a side note, when I was receiving my Early Childhood Education Certifications, at FSU, JU, UNF, we were taught to make efforts for our students to have books, toys, dolls, etc. which were from all ethnicities–NOT all just White/Caucasian. Looking through these snapshots, I wonder. . .