Opening Heart 2024 Annual Books and Back-to-School Drive

(Scroll down for THREE delivery options and deadlines)

Dear Opening Heart Mindfulness Community,

Opening Heart would like to invite you to participate once again in the Book & Back-To-School Drive to benefit the children served by Washington DC’s Community Family Life Services, with whom we have collaborated in different projects for the last three years. The drive will take place between July 8 and August 4.

The BOOK part of the drive will consist of donating books for school-aged children. At this point, CFLS serves 73 children: 38 elementary, 12 middle school, 23 high school. Books should not include proselytizing messages. Our sangha member and former children's librarian Mary Smith has suggested we use the 2024 Notable Children's Book List recommended by the American Library Association. These books include characters and situations, fiction and non-fiction, about children of multiple cultures, races and backgrounds living in the US and around the world.

The BACK-TO-SCHOOL part of the drive will consist of donating back-to-school supplies included in this Sign Up List. It would be ideal to choose your donations on this list to avoid repetition. Our goal is to provide as many items as possible since CFLS serves so many children. 

People can choose to donate to one or to both drive parts: Books and/or Back-to-School items. Additionally, they can donate gift cards or even make direct donations to CFLS. 

CFLS will provide tax-exemption documents; thus please make sure to provide your full name, email and short description of your item/s or financial donations to Camille, Gloriela or Magda. 

THERE ARE THREE DELIVERY OPTIONS:

1) In-person or mail-delivery to Camille’s home to arrive no later than Sunday, August 4  

Address: 4629 Asbury Pl NW Washington DC 20016

(Please place your item/s in a bag, clearly labeled with your name and last name, and drop it/them off on the house’s front porch)   

2) In-person drop off with Gloriela before Monday sangha on July 15 and July 29 between 5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

(Please place your item/s in a bag, clearly labeled with your name and last name)

3) In-person drop off at Circle Yoga any time they are open up until Saturday, August 3rd

(Please place your item/s in a bag, clearly labeled with your name and last name, and place it in the box downstairs after you tell the receptionist)

You may email Magda at magdacabrero@yahoo.com if you have any questions.

Thank you so much and a lotus for you,

The Engaged Mindfulness Group (Camille, Gloriela, Magda, Phyllis & Sheila)