Holiday celebrations came early for many students from Cascade Elementary, one of the distinguished APS schools in the Mays cluster. The “Bring a Toy to Bring Joy,” is an annual event sponsored by The Concerned Black Clergy of Metro Atlanta, a long-standing APS community partner. The event took place at the Vicars Community Center, located at 838 Cascade Avenue in southwest Atlanta.
Amidst eager faces and heightened anticipation, council and board members of the Concerned Black Clergy, along with many community members and APS staff who participated in the gift-giving event, greeted the students.
Dr. Carolyn Jackson, Ph.D., retired principal and founder of “Bring a Toy to Bring Joy,” and Aaron Darbo (student-5th grade) who gave “thank you” remarks on behalf of Cascade Elementary students
“Our children look forward to these special gifts that are wrapped with motivation and love. The CBC offers great community support for Cascade Elementary. They adopted our school three years ago, and this toy drive is just one example of the wonderful care and giving spirit in which the CBC provides for our students.” (Last year, The Concerned Black Clergy donated over two hundred book bags for students, and provided free tutoring, as well as monetary donations to support learning at the school). We are humbled by their partnership,” stated Cascade Elementary School Principal, Dr. Sylvia R. Hall.
Many community members contributed to the gift-giving extravaganza; notably, while traveling on MARTA, Navy veteran, Mr. Mike Barber collected more than two hundred gifts from various churches and community organizations.
“I do this for the children. I want them to know that they are loved and part of a great community who cares for them,” Mr. Barber said.
Above, Cascade Elementary Principal, Dr. Sylvia Hall and Mr. Mike Barber; Principal Hall accepts a collector’s edition Barbie for a student, donated from a Wal-Mart employee.
(Toy donations and support were received from veterans, and the VA Hospital, University Barber Shop on MLK Drive, Dr. Curtis Lester and Greater Bethany Baptist Church, Mr. Ernest Lewis and many, many others).
