Photos by Yvonne Kemp
On Saturday, December 11, 2021 Milwaukee North Sunrise Rotary Club hosted its fourth annual Christmas with Dignity Service Project. Christmas with Dignity was designed as a social enterprise and community development project that places deeply discounted prices on brand named toys, clothing and books, making purchases affordable for lower income families. Partnering this year with Julia Means and the Blanket of Love Program, families were able to purchase clothing, gifts, and toys for their children for just pennies on the dollar. They were also sent home with wrapping paper and bows at no cost to make each gift a complete surprise and experience the jubilant sounds of glee which makes Christmas morning a joy for any parent.
Diane Beckley Milner, president of the Milwaukee North Sunrise Rotary Club said, “We raised $3000 to make this giving event possible with the intent to bring dignity to the families by offering a hand up instead of a handout, a process that allows everyone involved to keep giving.” The impact of the event is heightened in its scope because the families are encouraged to direct the donation used to purchase their gifts to charities so that they too can share in the joy of giving. Milwaukee North Sunrise Rotary Club Christmas with Dignity was held at Ebenezer Church, which houses the Blanket of Love Program. Executive Director/Founder Julia Means was present to engage with the families as they picked up their containers filled with gifts, wrapping and bows.
Photos by Yvonne Kemp
She acknowledged that this year the club touched the lives of more than 50 children and empowered several adults to make a difference for their family and with their donations, paying it forward for more families that are experiencing need in these desperate times. Christmas joy was shared by all as some families expressed that this was their first time ever wrapping gifts and donating to a charity, self-management, and self-empowerment at its best.
Milwaukee North Sunrise Rotary Club meets from 7:30 – 8:30 a.m., every first and third Thursday at Sojourner Family Peace House. Other service and social enterprise projects are planned, like Christmas with Dignity. For more information about Milwaukee North Sunrise Rotary Club please visit The web page at https://portal.clubrunner.ca/8009. Pictured at the event are Ruby Dent, Dr. Greg Williams Ph.D., Diane Beckley Milner and Angela Stinson.
