{"id":14663,"date":"2025-12-16T11:52:33","date_gmt":"2025-12-16T16:52:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/?p=14663"},"modified":"2025-12-16T11:52:33","modified_gmt":"2025-12-16T16:52:33","slug":"holiday-connection-delivers-joy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/holiday-connection-delivers-joy\/","title":{"rendered":"Holiday Connection delivers joy"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/a>
Old Donation School\u2019s National Junior Honor Society members collected gifts for the Holiday Connection and helped load them for delivery to VBCPS families.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

By Cindy Butler Focke<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Jenny Shires and Department of Teaching and Learning co-workers used donations from staff members to purchase gifts for the Holiday Connection.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Christmas wishes will come true for about 400 students thanks to the Holiday Connection program.<\/p>\n

For more than 20 years, Virginia Beach City Public Schools social workers have continued the tradition of delivering gifts to students in need and their families.<\/p>\n

The Holiday Connection cultivates a vital connection between schools and surrounding neighborhoods, said School Social Work Services Coordinator Damion Wilson.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs many of our families grapple with ongoing struggles, it is heartening to have a program that offers them relief and comfort in their lives,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Wilson said school social workers cultivate important relationships with families and are indispensable allies in promoting learning and breaking down socioeconomic barriers.<\/p>\n

\u201cTheir work inspires hope and empowers individuals, illuminating pathways for success for every student,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

School social workers Carly Marcus and Lynsey Dollar are the project\u2019s coordinators.<\/p>\n

Marcus said the effort brings joy.<\/p>\n

\u201cSometimes the parents are crying,\u201d she said. \u201cThey feel so supported and are so grateful.\u201d<\/p>\n

Families are identified by school social workers, along with educators, administrators and school counselors.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Dominion Energy participated in this year\u2019s Holiday Connection, providing gifts and more for five VBCPS families. From left, volunteer coordinator Shanae Dixon, operations analyst Navy Perez-Maya, and process assistant Anita Morgan.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This year\u2019s call for help was answered by 29 organizations, groups, individuals, private businesses and school division offices. They filled wish lists for 162 families.<\/p>\n

Toys, clothing, gift cards, food items, stocking stuffers and more were provided and will be delivered by school social workers to families in December.<\/p>\n

Dominion Energy adopted five families, including 12 children. Gift wishes were placed on a Christmas tree in the office.<\/p>\n

Virginia Beach Office Volunteer Coordinator Shanae Dixon said employees didn\u2019t hesitate to help.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe participate in a wide variety of events throughout the year and like to give back to the community.\u201d<\/p>\n

The VBCPS school administration building had several Christmas trees with gifts underneath for the Holiday Connection.<\/p>\n

The Department of Teaching and Learning (DTAL) and the Department of Human Resources each supported two families with a total of nine children.<\/p>\n

The DTAL office staff donated gifts and money. Office Associate Jenny Shires and two co-workers were tasked with spending the funds on toys, clothes and shoes.<\/p>\n

A social worker told them about a student and family who had recently experienced homelessness but now had housing.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat really warmed my heart knowing the child will have gifts to open Christmas morning in their new home,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Human Resources Administrative Office Associate Kristi Byrd said the department of 39 employees not only purchased gifts, but also a grocery store gift card for each family to enjoy a holiday meal.<\/p>\n

\u201cHelping others brings out the best in each of us,\u201d she said. \u201cWe hope that every act of kindness, no matter how big or small, creates a ripple of hope for everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n

For more information about next year\u2019s Holiday Connection program, email holidayconnectionvb@gmail.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Old Donation School\u2019s National Junior Honor Society members collected gifts for the Holiday Connection and helped load them for delivery to VBCPS families.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Gifts provided by the VBCPS Department of Teaching and Learning for the Holiday Connection were wrapped and placed under the office Christmas tree.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The VBCPS Human Resources department provided gifts and grocery gift cards for the Holiday Connection and placed them under the grinch-themed Christmas tree in their office.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Christmas wishes will come true for about 400 students this year, thanks to the Holiday Connection and participants, including Dominion Energy.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Dominion Energy employees left presents under the office Christmas tree for the Holiday Connection.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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