Women United’s annual Holiday Drive is bringing joy to over 65 Maine families this year. New Ventures Maine got to be part of the magic when we received an invitation to ask the single mothers participating in our Career Success For Single Moms class for gift wish lists for each of their children. Eighteen single mothers with families in Cumberland and York counties sent wish lists for children aged two months to 18 years old.  

Women United members and friends fulfilled these lists through a curated registry of donated presents and wrapped the gifts during their Gift Wrapping and Delivery Day, Friday, December 12. When NVME Workforce Specialists Lisa Sweet and Karen Garland went to pick up gifts, they found mounds of presents wrapped and labeled for each family. Each child had more than one gift and when everything was packed up and ready to go, Lisa’s SUV was full.

“Personally, it was the best Friday afternoon I have had all year!,” Lisa said. “I felt the true joy of the season in packing up and delivering the gifts to local families and women I have worked with. I was overwhelmed with the generosity, care, and ability of Women United to fulfill the wish-list items for the children, including a bike, a scooter, Legos, nail polish, gift cards, and even an acoustic guitar!” 

“It was truly overwhelming to see that NVME had so many presents for our participants!,” added Karen. “I can’t say enough about the generosity of Women United and the great job they did making so many kids happy this holiday season.” 

According to event organizers, the Women United Holiday Drive is a cherished tradition that brings members together to support single mothers and their families and is one of their most meaningful initiatives each year.

Women United is a program of United Way of Southern Maine.