Children in Need, Inc.

This week, we received and filled multiple Extended Service requests from across Washington County, with agencies and schools reaching out for coats, clothing, hygiene items, and more. We’re honored to support: ✨ Smithsburg Middle ✨ Pangborn Elementary ✨ Ruth Ann Monroe Primary ✨ Jonathan Hager Elementary School ✨ Department of Social Services ✨ Boys and Girls Club of Washington County …and so many others! Every request represents a child or family in need, and thanks to our incredible donors and partners, we’re able to respond with the essentials that make a difference. Together, we’re bringing warmth and hope to those who need it most!

A huge congratulations to our very own Joan Balbuena Hernandez for being named a finalist in the Washington County Chamber of Commerce 2025 Business Awards for Young Professional of the Year! As the Director of Client and Volunteer Services at Children In Need, Inc., Joan exemplifies outstanding leadership and unwavering dedication to our mission. Her incredible ability to oversee and coordinate a team of 80+ volunteers and multiple programs has been instrumental in supporting over 3,600 low-income children in Washington County. Through her efforts, children receive essential supplies like clothing, hygiene items, and school materials—resources that significantly impact their well-being and educational opportunities. Joan's impact doesn’t stop there. She actively mentors student volunteers, cultivating the next generation of community leaders, and plays a key role in Parent Cafes here in Washington County, addressing the needs of families in a holistic and meaningful way. Her passion, strategic vision, and compassionate approach make her an exceptional leader and a true asset to our community. We are so proud of you, Joan—this recognition is well-deserved! Let’s all cheer Joan on as she represents Children In Need, Inc. and the amazing work we do together! We look forward to rooting her on at the 2025 Business Awards!

A Message From Our Executive Director: As the year draws to a close, we reflect on the immense impact we’ve made together in 2024. Thanks to your unwavering support, Children In Need, Inc. provided over 200,000 essential items last year — including clothing, coats, shoes, hygiene products, and school supplies — to 1,050 families and 2,610 children enrolled in our Client Services Program. Each item distributed represents more than just meeting a basic need. It represents warmth on a cold winter day, dignity during a tough time, and the confidence to succeed at school. For families facing poverty and unimaginable challenges, these simple yet vital resources are a beacon of hope. But the need continues to grow. Your #generosity can help us: 🧥 Provide warm winter coats to children braving the cold. 🧴Stock essential hygiene products to ensure no family has to go without. 🎒Support school success by equipping kids with backpacks and supplies. 👨👩👦👦Deliver critical case management and referrals for families navigating homelessness, trauma, and healthcare challenges. As we approach the holiday season, we invite you to give a gift that transforms lives. A donation of any size will make an immediate difference! Donations online can be made here: https://bit.ly/donateCINWC Your end-of-year contribution not only sustains these vital programs but allows us to reach even more families like Ana’s in 2025. "Children In Need has impacted our family in many ways. It’s made a huge difference how nice and welcoming the volunteers are. They make you feel comfortable and welcome. It isn’t easy to ask for help—some of us aren’t used to asking for help. It has given my children smiles on their faces when they see new PJs or clothes. They think it’s their parents buying them such nice clothes." Together, we can give every child in Washington County the opportunity to thrive. From all of us at Children In Need, thank you for your kindness, generosity, and commitment to our mission. With heartfelt gratitude, Brittany Wedd Executive Director Children In Need, Inc.

At Children In Need, Inc., we know the challenges families face all too well. Many of the families we serve are forced to make tough decisions every day: buying groceries or paying rent, keeping the heat on or purchasing clothing and hygiene items for their kids. Our programs provide free clothing and essentials, helping families save money that can be reinvested in other critical needs like food, housing, and healthcare. The reality is, countless American families are struggling to afford the basics, and these choices shouldn’t have to be made. By supporting Children In Need, you help provide relief to families in our community and give children the chance to grow up with the resources they need to thrive.

Did you know? Children in Need, Inc.’s Extended Services Program provides essential items—like clothing, hygiene products, shoes, coats, and other special requests—to #every school in Washington County as well as local nonprofits and agencies. The best part? No client enrollment is needed! During our last fiscal year, we distributed more than 21,000 essential items through Washington County Public Schools and other local organizations like CASA, Inc., Washington County Department of Social Services, United Way of Washington County, Maryland, Kiwanis Club of Hagerstown, MD, and Bester Community Of Hope . These items help ensure every child in our community has access to the necessities they need to thrive. Together, we’re making a real difference in the lives of children and families. Thank you for supporting our mission to uplift and empower our community

Did you know there are nearly 600 homeless youth in Washington County, with multiple families living unsheltered? At Children in Need, Inc. we're working tirelessly to support these children by providing thermal blankets, clothing, and hygiene items—essentials they need to stay warm, healthy, and in school. Your donation can make a difference. Donate today: https://bit.ly/donateCINWC Spread the word by sharing this post! Every dollar counts in helping us support vulnerable youth in our community. Thank you for standing with us!

In October, our Client Services Program distributed an incredible 18,734 essential items to the children and families we serve! From clothing and hygiene products to school supplies and more, these resources make a difference every day for our community. Thank you to our supporters, partners, and volunteers who make this possible! Together, we’re helping local families thrive.

Estamos muy emocionados de compartiles! Ayer, tuvimos la oportunidad de ser entrevistados por Telemundo 44 Washington, D.C. y NBC4 Washington para discutir como la Beca de Impacto Local ortogada por Comcast NBCUniversal beneficiará nuestra organización - Children in Need, Inc. Aquí les dejamos un fragmento de la grabación de Telemundo 44 y la entrevista a nuestra Directora de Servicios a Clientes y Voluntarios con María Renée El segmento de NBC 4 será compartido tan pronto este disponible. La Beca de Impacto Local NBCUniversal servirá para sostener operaciones y expandir servicios a los más de 3,000 niños/as que reciben servicios de nuestros programas. ¡Gracias Telemundo 44 y NBC 4 por otorgarnos esta Beca de Impacto Local! https://lnkd.in/eSkHf2wf

We are excited to share that Children in Need, Inc. is receiving $50,000 in unrestricted funding from NBCU Local Impact Grants, powered by the Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation! NBC4 Washington, Telemundo 44 Washington, D.C., and Comcast NBCUniversal announced $227,000 has been awarded to eight local nonprofit organizations through the 2024 NBCUniversal Local Impact Grants. Since 2018, NBC4 and Telemundo 44 have now provided more than $1.5 million to 59 nonprofits through the grant program. The competitive grant challenge, now in its seventh year, provides unrestricted funding to eligible nonprofits that provide vital support to DC, Maryland, and Virginia communities in the categories of youth education and empowerment, next-generation storytellers, and community engagement. Thank you, Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation, for your generous support and commitment to uplifting communities nationwide!

🎉🎉 Celebrating a Milestone! 🎉🎉 We are thrilled to announce the end of our fiscal year at Children In Need with a heart full of gratitude and joy. This year, our incredible team was #privileged to provide 184,081 essential items to 1,050 families and 2,610 children enrolled in our Client Services Program! A massive thank you to our dedicated volunteers, staff, and board members who tirelessly ensured our families received what they needed to keep kids engaged in their academics. And to YOU—our community partners and donors—your unwavering support has shone through, making all of this possible! Stay tuned in the coming days as we share more about our various programs and initiatives over the past fiscal year. Together, we are making a difference!