Be a Secret Santa: A Great Way to Give
Your generosity can make a truly meaningful difference—helping us brighten the holidays for less-fortunate families that are enrolled in the Building Healthy Children program through Strong Memorial Hospital’s Social Work and Patient and Family Services.Together, these 155 families represent 180 babies, infants, toddlers and children from throughout our area. The majority of mothers in BHC are head of household and employed in various essential service industries. They are working hard to balance demanding work hours while providing care for their young and school-age children. Our social workers, who have screened and selected these families in need of real basics, such as warm clothing and shoes, are only able to provide limited home visits to drop off essential goods and informational resources.
Contribute to the 2026 Building Healthy Children Holiday Gift Card Drive!
We encourage gift card donations from easily accessible retailers, such as Walmart, Wegmans, Target, Price Rite, Tops, Aldi, or local dollar stores.
With your gift card donations this holiday season, these hardworking, yet under-resourced parents will be able to shop for toys, activities, books and other meaningful gifts on their own, while still affording the household essentials, such as diapers, cleaning supplies, and groceries for wholesome family meals during the holidays. Rest assured, everything donated will go to families who are most in need.
All gift cards will need to be received—unwrapped—by 12 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 9 in order to give our case workers time to gather, arrange and equitably distribute these gifts.
- If you are on-site, please drop off your donation at the Friends of Strong office 1-1230.
- Or feel free to mail your donation to:
Friends of Strong
C/O Emily Teitsworth
601 Elmwood Avenue, Box 660
Rochester, NY 14642
If these options are not convenient for you, please call 585-275-2420 for further information.
We are truly grateful for your thoughtfulness and generosity. This is a very meaningful way to observe the holiday season and to make a difference in the lives of families who are less fortunate. Remember, no amount is too small to donate!
More about Building Healthy Children
The Building Healthy Children (BHC) program provides home-based support services for young women who were 25 or younger when their first child was born OR who are in their second or third trimester of pregnancy. Families have no more than three children, with the oldest child being under age 5. A pair of family support providers help with transportation, obtaining safe housing, and obtaining employment and educational goals. Providers also offer information on parenting and child development, parent-child relationships and counseling services. Families can be involved in BHC until their child turns 3 years old.
Emily A. Teitsworth | 10/27/2026
You may also like
No related posts found.