Community Came Together to Bring Holiday Joy to Clients of the Child Protection Center

The Child Protection Center, Inc. (CPC) is proud to announce the success of its annual Holiday Wish List Drive, during which the Sarasota-DeSoto community came together to bring comfort, joy, and a sense of normalcy to children and families who are healing in the aftermath of child abuse or neglect.
 
Community members, local businesses, faith groups, and organizations contributed gifts, essential items, and support to these resilient survivors and families working to rebuild their lives. CPC’s clients often struggle during the holidays, a time when the world around them is celebrating and full of merriment — a stark contrast to their own challenging situation as they work through the trauma and complications that follow child abuse. This holiday giving offered the community a meaningful way to show solidarity, compassion, and care to those who needed it most. Whether it was a new toy, body care items, cozy blankets, or gift cards, every contribution lifted spirits and reminded these families that they were not alone.
 
“In times of struggle, traditions can bring comfort, or they can deepen our distress when we’re unable to uphold them,” wrote a CPC client and mother of four. “Because of your generosity, my family was able to feel love and peace during a season when both were scarce. For my children, the personalized and thoughtful gifts brought a sense of normalcy and abundance, which provided feelings of safety and security at a time of great uncertainty and difficulty in our family. Please know that these gifts are more than gifts; they are tangible acts of love, felt more deeply than you may ever know.”
 
“The holidays can be hard for children and families coping through trauma,” said Sheila Miller, Vice President of Philanthropy at CPC. “When the community steps up with a gift, a donation, or just kindness, we send a powerful message: you belong, you are valued, and you are seen.”
 
For members of the community who are interested in other needs at CPC on an annual basis, please visit their website and see the “Get Involved” tab.
 
The Child Protection Center’s (CPC) mission is the prevention, intervention, and treatment of child abuse, as the organization envisions a community where children are safe from abuse and free to thrive. For over 45 years, CPC has been serving Sarasota and DeSoto Counties in the State of Florida and is accredited by the National Children’s Alliance. For more information on CPC or to inquire about ways to get involved, please visit them at  www.cpcsarasota.org or call 941-365-1277