UMatter INC Programs

In late August, we begin to collect "Wish lists" from the children in our community ages newborn to 18 years of age. 

We then match the wish lists with a sponsor who agrees to spend $50 and purchase gifts off the child's list. Some sponsors want to shop themselves and some prefer to make a donation and we take care of the shopping. 

These gifts are then placed into one box and wrapped so each child has one box to open. We also provide stocking stuffers for each child. 

The gifts are distributed to the parents/ guardians on the Saturday before Christmas. While we miss the face to face time with "our kids" that the parties provided, it is just not possible with the number of children we help each year. 

In 2024, we provided gifts to 423 children from our community. 

In 2019, we add a new component to our Christmas Campaign  with a special party and wish list gifts for the children living in St. John's Family Homeless Shelter, the only family homeless shelter  in Washington County. 

We are blessed to work with the Board of the Shelter, Trinity Lutheran Church and other community partners to make Christmas merry and bright for these children with a great need.  

When your family is living paycheck to paycheck or homeless - having extra money to celebrate a child's birthday can be very hard to come by. 

Borrowing from an idea we saw online - we created our Birthday Bags. These bags contain everything needed to host a small party - cake mix, icing, a can of sprite (to use in place of the oil and egg), cake pan, tablecloth, party plates and napkins, candles, and other party related items. 

We share these bags with our community partners at St John's Homeless Shelter, Children in Need and Potomac Community Management for distribution to families in need though out our community.