Opening Heart 2026 Annual Books and Back-to-School Drive
(Scroll down for THREE delivery options and deadlines)
Dear Opening Heart Mindfulness Community,
OHMC invites you to participate once again in our annual Book & Back-To-School Drive to benefit the children served by Washington DC’s Community Family Life Services (CFLS).
OHMC has participated in this project for several years. This year is especially meaningful because CFLS has asked us to focus exclusively on supporting the children of mothers who have experienced domestic violence and are served through Trinity Arms, a program that provides safe, apartment-style temporary housing and one-on-one support as families navigate the transition to stable living. This year, we will be supporting 15 children - 9 females; 6 males - from 10 families.
The drive will run from July 1 through August 2.
BOOK DONATIONS:
CFLS strongly requests that OHMC focus on books for children ages 10 and under.
Our sangha member and former children's librarian, Mary Smith, recommends using the American Library Association's Notable Children's Books List as a guide when selecting new or gently used books appropriate for children. These books feature diverse characters, cultures, experiences, and perspectives from the United States and around the world.
Additional ideas can be found in the BarefootBooks Handout.
Please note:
Books should be new or gently used.
Books should be appropriate for children age 10 and under.
Books should not include proselytizing or religious conversion messages.
BACK-TO-SCHOOL SUPPLIES:
This year, OHMC aims to provide school supplies and/or backpacks for each of the 15 children.
To avoid repetition, please register through this SignUpGenius page which lists each child's first name, age, and gender, allowing donors to select items for a specific child: https://www.signupgenius.com
Requested items include:
Backpacks
General school supplies
Basic math flash cards (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division)
Sight-word flash cards
Handwriting practice books
Writing tablets and paper for both print and cursive practice
GIFT CARDS:
Donors may also contribute gift cards from:
Amazon
Walmart
Zillion
Gift cards may be emailed directly to CFLS, delivered in person to Camille, or sent online to Magda.
CFLS finds gift cards especially helpful because they can be used to purchase needed items that are difficult to predict in advance, including graphing calculators and other school supplies. Any unused gift cards are securely stored and used throughout the school year to meet students' needs.
Participants may choose to contribute to:
The Book Drive
The Back-to-School Supply Drive
Gift Cards
Any combination of the above
Tax Documentation
CFLS will provide tax-exemption documentation. Please email Magda if you would like documentation at magda.cabrero@truejustice4youth.org.
There are THREE delivery Options:
1) Direct Donation to CFLS:
Wendy Benton
Drop-In Center Coordinator
Community Family Life Services
4860 Fort Totten Drive, NE
Washington, DC 20011
Main: (202) 347-0511
Direct: (202) 849-3016
2) In-Person Delivery to Camille Martone's Home
July 1 – August 2
4629 Asbury Place NW
Washington, DC 20016
Please place all donated items in a bag and clearly label them with your first and last name.
Items may be left on the porch near or on the coffee table. Gift cards may be placed through the mail slot.
3) Online Delivery to Magda Cabrero's Home
July 1 – August 2
2151 Jamieson Ave. Apt. #906
Alexandria, VA, 22314
Please ensure shipments arrive no later than August 2.
Questions?
Please contact:
Sheila Foran: sforanedmonds@gmail.com
Magda Cabrero: magda.cabrero@truejustice4youth.org
Thank you so much for your generosity and support.
A lotus for you,
The Engaged Mindfulness Circle
Karolann, Magda, Phyllis & Sheila