Keep A Child Warm Program

Open throughout New England's harsh winters, we gear children up with warm items of clothing and new blankets to layer their beds when the house is cold.

Children's Baskets Of Love Program

We fill baskets with all new toiletries and items of necessities to help newborn babies, young children and teens with the very basics.

Educational Year Round Children's New Books Program

Whether a mom is reading to her newborn child or a teen needs a novel to read in their spare time we offer new books year round as part of a larger educational program. We want to help stimulate the minds of children who can not afford books by providing them with a new book of their own and we give the gift of reading to thousands each year. We also provide children's school supplies from New Backpacks filled with School supplies from pre-school through High School.

Hospital Program

When a child is in the hospital, it can be frightening and lonely. They need support more than ever, especially if their family has fallen on hard times. This program delivers comfort and hope.

Visualize a child waking up on a special holiday morning and the first thing he or she sees is a new toy or stuffed animal. For some of these children, ranging from newborns to teenagers, it might be their last holiday season. For others it lessens their pain just a little.

One year we had an amazing little girl come to the Project. Due to an accident she was in the hospital during the holiday and received a gift from Project Just Because, Inc. She told us about what a difference it made, as she was in a lot of pain and wanted to be home with her family. The first thing she saw when she opened her eyes was a present and it brought a sweet smile to her face. We are happy to report she is part of our team of young people who fully recovered and now knows how hard it is not to be home on a special holiday. Her story is one of many that have touched our hearts over the years.

Back to School Program
A child's first day of school is hard enough without worrying about having the wrong clothes and no school supplies. We help by giving kids clothing, sneakers, school supplies, art supplies and other items to help them succeed in school. The schools provide an exact list of supplies needed so we’re sure to get the kids off on the right foot from day one.

Holiday Wish List Program

We deliver special holiday cheer in December to kids in need, granting three wishes to each child. For families unable to pick them up, we now offer delivery by one of our many wonderful volunteers. We leave all gifts unwrapped, allowing the parents to put their own finishing touches on these wonderful wishes come true. Contact us to find out what’s on the wish list so you can help fulfill a child’s holiday dreams. You can also see how to sponsor a child on our Holiday Wish List page.

Birthday Program

When a family is struggling, it is often the special events that are hardest to bear. For a child who doesn’t receive a gift on his or her birthday, and the parent who can’t afford to give that gift, we created this special program. Year round we offer a special gift for children 0-18 to celebrate their gift of life.

Educational Program

Elmwood and Hopkins School have been chosen to participate in a yearlong educational program with Rekawa Junior College in Tangalla Hanbantotha, Sri Lanka. From August 2005 through June 2006, children from these schools in grades 2-5 will have the opportunity to correspond with the Sri Lankan students directly through writing, artwork, and other forms of communication. This project has been implemented through the joint efforts of Elmwood and Hopkins schools, Linda Raftree, Sri Lankan teachers (who will perform written translations), Beehive Media President Bill Shander (who has donated all services this year to link all correspondences from Sri Lanka to our website), and Project Just Because Founder and President Cherylann Lambert Walsh.

This project began when Project Just Because Founder and President Cherylann Lambert Walsh was approached by some parents in town who asked what Project Just Because would do for tsunami relief. Walsh responded with the “from the heart to the heart – bringing a brighter tomorrow for a new friend” card. She found templates with the writings of Indonesia and spoke to Elmwood School Principal Illene Silver about her idea. Walsh told Silver, “It would have nothing to do with money. It would give the children a chance to share their support and feelings with those impacted by the disaster.” Silver spread the word to the teachers. The cards were a voluntary effort, but many classes took up the challenge and students in some other classes took it upon themselves to participate. Teachers taped the strange-looking pictograms for the children to copy. Others used the easier “English-friendly” spellings. Walsh then located Linda Raftree of Warwick, RI, who hand-delivered the cards, rather than have them dropped “who knew where.” Read the amazing story in the Sri Lankan childrens' own words.

The program was well-received on both sides of the Pacific and it was decided to extend it into the school year as a year-long educational and cultural exchange. See the Educational Program in action by clicking the link.