ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Thousands of kids and their families within Albuquerque Public Schools (APS) are experiencing homelessness. But attorneys and a local program are doing their part to help get their kids some of that holiday cheer.
Every December, families struggling to get by are given some holiday cheer thanks to the community coming together. This was all made possible by the APS’s McKinney-Vento. “It’s probably the most happiest moment of my Christmas event every single year,” said Rachel Berenson, donor and New Mexico attorney.
For the past 17 years, attorney Wendy York has helped organize the seasonal drive with the help of other attorneys. “It started out just lawyers, and now it’s a much wider group. It’s organizations, and then individuals, neighbors who get together, because it’s such a cool event,” said York. APS said this year, at least 500 kids will be getting presents.
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That’s around 20% of the existing homeless families the McKinney-Vento program serves. “You’re buying for the little boy who wants the dump truck, and he said he wants the dump truck, you know, and you’re buying for the mom who wants the toaster, and so it’s so personal,” said York. Each donor adopts one of the 200-plus families and gets a list of what the parents and children want for Christmas…