DBFA Adopts Wolfe Street Families

On Sunday December 11^th the Downtown Baltimore Family Alliance (DBFA) held an amazing Adopt-a-Family Event at Wolfe Street Academy. Ninety-four Wolfe Street families received hundreds of dollars worth of clothing, boots, winter coats, gift cards and toys for the Holidays.

This is the fourth year that DBFA has partnered with Wolfe Street to provide gifts for families in need. DBFA also partnered with George Washington Elementary. Last year, DBFA was able to match nearly 150 families through the program.

In November participating DBFA families and businesses received wish lists from Wolfe families detailing each child’s age, gender, clothing size and a list of items the child might like. Families purchased the gifts and delivered them to the school.

“The program was originally going to provide one $40 gift for each child, but the donors go all out!” said Wolfe Street Academy Community School Coordinator Connie Phelps.

PTO Celebration

This year Wolfe Street’s PTO held a Holiday Party Fundraiser alongside the DBFA event. Volunteers sold tamales, hot dogs, hot chocolate, baked goods, and atole, a hot Mexican rice drink. The school’s Mexican Folkloric Dance Troupe performed while children took pictures with Santa Claus.

Funds raise will support field trips during the day and during Wolfe Street's after-school program, which is supported by a grant from the Family League of Baltimore City. This year the PTO initiated a grant program for teachers so that they can apply for field trip grants.

Thank You
We would like to thank Allison Pendell Jones, Michele Esch, and all of the DBFA volunteers for making this event possible. Thank you to the generous families and businesses that provided gifts for our families. Thank you to aMuse Toys offering a 15% discount on gifts purchased as part of the program. Thank you to the Wolfe Street PTO for holding the Holiday Party.

Arcos & Quiznos Save the Music

Arcos Restaurant held a benefit fundraiser for Wolfe Street Academy 's string instrument program on May 24th. Attendees enjoyed a performance by fourth grader Faustino Cano and instructor/cellist Jill Collier while feasting on fantastic Mexican cuisine and margaritas.

Combined with money raised from a recent Quiznos fundraiser, the two fundraisers earned over $800. Proceeds will benefit Wolfe Street's after-school "Bridges" program, a partnership with the Greater Baltimore Youth Orchestra which provides 35 Wolfe Street kids with violin, viola and cello instruction as well as Sunday orchestra classes.

The Downtown Baltimore Family Alliance and Goldseker Foundation have pledged a matching grant of $5,500 to support the program. So far we have raised about $4,000 towards our goal of $5,500.

Many thanks to Arcos and Quiznos for their support. To donate to Wolfe Street's Save the Music! campaign online, go to http://tinyurl.com/wsastrings