Making the holidays bright for 1199SEIU families and Baltimore City school children

January 5, 2016

1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, Maryland/DC Division came together with community organizations to make the holidays special for Gilmor Elementary School students and their families. The Gilmor community, roiled by April's Uprising in the wake of the death of Freddie Gray, is one of Baltimore City's most under-resourced neighborhoods. In response to the Uprising, several community organizations have partnered with Gilmor Elementary in the 2015/2016 school year to improve educational opportunities and conditions at the school as well as bringing social and health services to the students and their families.On December 22, students and their families participated in a holiday program after which students received new toys donated by 1199SEIU members, food baskets donated by the University of Maryland School of Law students and new coats donated by Douglas Memorial Community Church.After the event at Gilmor Elementary, 1199 members and their families gathered at the Union halls in Baltimore and New Carrollton to celebrate the holidays and get new toys donated by 1199 members.The remaining toys were donated to Baltimore City community groups including: I Can’t, We Can (provides assistance to those struggling with addiction) Sarah’s Hope (provides emergency shelter and services for homeless women and children and Communities United (a grassroots, membership organization advocating for social change).- See more at: http://www.1199seiu.org/making_the_holidays_bright_for_1199seiu_families_and_baltimore_city_school_children#sthash.f3ls6EgH.dpuf