Sheltering Arms, one of the largest and the longest-established early childhood education providers in Georgia, has announced a partnership with the Global Gift Registry, a community-led  global organization that channels the resources of diverse women to provide essential support to homeless women and  families in vulnerable communities. 

Armed with the belief that no gift is too small, the Global Gift Registry works with each partner organization to curate a wide selection of products, some starting at less than $1.00, removing any barrier of entry to participate.  Similar to a traditional baby shower gift registry, donors can use the power of emails, text messaging, and social media to work together as “hostesses” who solicit their networks for donations and gifts.  Whether they are first-time donors or long-time philanthropists, Registry givers have a singular goal—to change lives one gift at a time.

Sheltering Arms’ online registry calls for essential items, including diapers, strollers, car seats, learning and school supplies, and household and cleaning supplies, as well as personal hygiene items for males and females. The campaign will be active for three weeks and can be found at globalgiftregistry.org.

“We’re so grateful to be a recipient of the Global Gift Registry and proud to be part of this impactful campaign,” said Blythe Keeler Robinson, president and CEO, Sheltering Arms. “Many of our families have been devastated by the pandemic, and donations to this effort will help them as they continue to stabilize. Oftentimes, the result is children arriving at school more focused and ready to learn.”

Global Gift Registry was co-founded in 2020 by Jacqueline Nickelberry, a philanthropist, lifestyle guru and Spelman graduate. This community-based fundraising initiative is helping women and families who have been exponentially impacted by COVID-19. The Global Gift Registry has raised and distributed more than $130,000 in in-kind and in-cash donations of essential items for families in vulnerable neighborhoods in six months. The organization aims to switch gears this fall to expand to raising items to support education programs and raise $150,000 in gifts by September 2020 through its vast network of engaged friends from all around the globe.

“I’m excited to “shower” the City of Atlanta with love and support of the Global Gift Registry,” said Nickelberry. “The Registry is essentially an online baby shower with a range of price points, which provides an easy “click-to-give” platform for donors to give essential products to Sheltering Arms.” 

After temporarily closing in mid-March, Sheltering Arms shifted its focus to relief efforts for enrolled families most impacted by the pandemic, many who rely on the organization for food and diapers during the school day. 

Family support coaches worked closely with families to assess their needs and connect them to community resources that provide meals, bill and rent assistance, mental health support and at-home learning tools for children. The organization also established the Sheltering Arms Family Emergency Fund so the community-at-large could assist with continued support efforts, and partnered with local organizations to continue providing diapers, wipes, hygiene products, baby food, games and toys. 

The Global Gift Registry will significantly support Sheltering Arms families with many basic necessities across all sites and those they serve in the community.