Our mission is to provide a ray of hope to the homeless children of Broward County and their parents – to show that “someone cares” - and also provide a day of fun and frolic.
Christmas in July 2023 is Dedicated to John Richard Francis
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John who served faithfully on the Christmas in July (CIJ) committee for almost 20 years and passed away peacefully on March 12, 2023, after a lengthy and tough battle with cancer. John was a CIJ stalwart who helped to provide necessities to more than 50,000 homeless children within Broward County, not to mention the thousands provided to after natural disasters in other areas. John served as the Co-Chair for the Food & Drinks subcommittee (along with Co-Chair Steve Cummings) and helped in every other capacity, including the setup of the sorting & packing facility, the sorting of items for the homeless children, and meticulously packing up the items for the children for distribution. Helping these homeless children was his passion. He was a Kiwanian for almost 20 years and served in numerous capacities, including President of the Margate/Coconut Creek Kiwanis Club and Lt. Governor for the Florida District of Kiwanis. He was one of the most selfless people and has definitely left this world better than he found it. He will be sorely missed! In lieu of flowers, John’s family requests donations to his favorite Kiwanis charity, Christmas in July, for Broward County’s Homeless Children. Online donations can be made at christmasinjulyinc.com or a check payable to “Christmas in July” and mailed to Christmas in July, Inc, 6208 White Oak Lane, Tamarac, FL 33319.
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Planning for our 2023 event is underway!
In the last 21 years Christmas in July, Inc. ("CIJ") has now served over 40,000 children. This figure excludes the homeless children we have provided for after natural disasters in The Florida Panhandle, the Bahamas, Puerto Rico, Haiti and t. Vincent.
In the past few years there have been over 5500 homeless children in the Broward County school system on an annual basis. The pandemic saw many parents out of work and unfortunately it means that the record numbers of homeless children in Broward are again on the rise. Our goal is to assist as many of these children as we can, which cannot be done without the support of the community.
The success of this project is driven by donations from institutions, businesses, community groups and individuals in the South Florida community and around the nation.
Our supporters are happy to serve or donate because they know that 100% of proceeds go towards helping these children. So join us and give today.
In the past few years there have been over 5500 homeless children in the Broward County school system on an annual basis. The pandemic saw many parents out of work and unfortunately it means that the record numbers of homeless children in Broward are again on the rise. Our goal is to assist as many of these children as we can, which cannot be done without the support of the community.
The success of this project is driven by donations from institutions, businesses, community groups and individuals in the South Florida community and around the nation.
Our supporters are happy to serve or donate because they know that 100% of proceeds go towards helping these children. So join us and give today.
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Help a Homeless Child by Making a Donation
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Purchase and Donate Specific Items for a Homeless Child |
Announcements
Join us on February 4, 2023, for the Kiwanis5kforCIJ Walk/Run
Christmas In July 2022: We remember Dr. Jonathan Earle, Ph.D.
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Christmas in July (CIJ) 2022 is dedicated to the memory of Dr. Jonathan F. K. Earle who served on the CIJ committee since its inception 21 years ago and not only donated monetarily, but led the gift distribution subcommittee for numerous years. He developed the processes and procedures for this area and would travel down to Broward County every single year even when he lived in Gainesville. He was faithful to CIJ and helped to serve the needs of well over 40,000 homeless children. Dr. Jonathan Earle was considered to be the patriarch of the CIJ Program. Sadly, he passed away on June 2, 2022 and our hearts are broken. If you are so moved, you can donate and make that positive difference in the lives of homeless children as he did. |
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We are happy to welcome a new partner that will help provide the toys for our program this year. Thank you so much Feed the Need Foundation.
Thank You for Contributing in Honor of Marjorie & Yvonne
We wanted to say thank you to those who donated in honor of our dedicated and beautiful committee members, Mrs. Yvonne Earle, and Marjorie Forrest.
Christmas in July 2021: We remember Mrs. Yvonne Earle and now
Marjorie Forrest, both dedicated Committee Members.
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Christmas in July (CIJ) 2021 is dedicated to the memory of Mrs. Yvonne Earle and Marjorie Forrest, who were both hard-working committee members.
Mrs Earle was considered by all the matriarch of the Christmas in July (CIJ) Program. Since its inception 20 years ago, she has personally contributed not only funding to the program but her time, prayers, and love. She passed away on February 9, 2021, from complications related to COVID-19. Her family and the organizers of CIJ ask that if you are so moved, you can donate to serve the homeless children as she did. Marjorie Forrest has been part of the CIJ family for years and was representing her Kiwanis Club of Greater Sunrise. She passed away suddenly on Monday June 7th, 2021 and we are all devastated once again. They both gave from the heart and hope that this year we all can continue to give with a heart for service. |
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Christmas In July in 2020: Overcoming the Pandemic Challenge
Despite the trials of the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, Broward County’s homeless children were still provided with necessities via the 20th Annual Christmas in July project.
It is commendable that despite this year’s challenges, all of the clubs within Kiwanis Divisions 23 and 24 rose to the challenge. Even before the virus, there were over 4,500 homeless children in the school system alone, excluding children under five years old. This year’s Christmas in July took about seven months of planning, including two months of shopping, sorting, and packing.
Many thanks to our numerous monetary and in-kind donors, without whom we would not have provided for the children. We thought that we would have only been able to give underwear and toiletries, but we could give so much more. As a reminder, the number one need of a homeless child is underwear (including socks), followed by shoes and clothing. On an annual basis, we provide new underwear (including diapers, pull-ups, and wipes, socks), clothing, shoes, school supplies, book bags, reading books, and toiletries.
It is commendable that despite this year’s challenges, all of the clubs within Kiwanis Divisions 23 and 24 rose to the challenge. Even before the virus, there were over 4,500 homeless children in the school system alone, excluding children under five years old. This year’s Christmas in July took about seven months of planning, including two months of shopping, sorting, and packing.
- The Kiwanis Club of Central Broward organized a drive-through drop-off of items at the New Mount Olive Baptist Church.
- For the first time since the inception of Christmas in July, we could not hold an event. Still, we delivered to one person at 19 respective shelters and facilities that serve homeless families, who then distributed to the children.
- This year, we still were able to provide directly for almost 4,000 homeless children within the County.
Many thanks to our numerous monetary and in-kind donors, without whom we would not have provided for the children. We thought that we would have only been able to give underwear and toiletries, but we could give so much more. As a reminder, the number one need of a homeless child is underwear (including socks), followed by shoes and clothing. On an annual basis, we provide new underwear (including diapers, pull-ups, and wipes, socks), clothing, shoes, school supplies, book bags, reading books, and toiletries.
Some members of Florida Kiwanis Division 23 participating in sorting and packing
Some members of Florida Kiwanis Division 24 participating in sorting and packing
Some Pictures of the deliveries to the shelters and facilities