Just as we have in years past, we have big plans to bring some joy to every Pasteur family. This year, we’re starting early with a book-give-away. Our plan was to give every Pasteur student a new book to take home before they went on Thanksgiving break. This has been delayed due to the COVID cleaning (read further for more information). They will get the books when they return to school this week.

Before Christmas vacation begins, all 312 students will receive a bag of new art supplies (watercolors, art pads, Play-Doh, and a fun kit to make snowflake ornaments) that should definitely keep them busy and creative during the school break. As the price of groceries, gas and everything else is up this year, we will also be giving a $100 gift card to EVERY family. We know this will help supplement their holiday dinner and assure a happier holiday.

For 13 families, who are in the greatest need (several of which are considered “homeless” – living with family members or in temporary housing), we are planning a special surprise. The families that were selected are working hard to give their children every opportunity which is why they’ve chosen to send their kids to Pasteur. After talking to them, it’s clear that they are both humble and grateful for what the Friends will be doing this year. Every child deserves to receive holiday gifts so we will be sending new clothes, books and toys to the kids in each home, newborn to 18.

While the time and talent of our volunteers is free, things like computers, books, toys, clothes and groceries all come with a price tag. To accomplish all that we have planned, we need your help! You showed up big last year and we believe that this year can be even better. These gifts will cost upwards of $35,000.

Please consider making a gift, as our help for the holiday may be the only gifts they receive, by sending a check to the address below or donating on our website www.friendsofpasteur.org. You can feel good about your gift making a direct impact on a family!

How Is COVID-19 Affecting School?

Because of the rising numbers of COVID, the Detroit Public School Community District closed the schools for the entire Thanksgiving week in order to thoroughly clean the buildings. They have also decided to go to online learning every Friday through December in an effort to keep COVID numbers down. Though computers were distributed to all DPSCD students last year, not all still work and not all students were in school at the time to receive them.

Tutoring Opportunities

Because so many children are behind in their education, tutoring is more important now than ever! If you are able to tutor, either reading or math, please respond to this email or contact Carol Winokur, Chair of our tutoring program, at cswinokur@ymail.com. Tutoring can be done easily from your home in Michigan – or wherever you are this winter. We’ll be giving Amazon Fire tablets to those children who don’t have computers so that they can Zoom with a tutor. Your help is truly needed.

Veteran volunteer Gaye Tischler has such a passion for the little kids at Pasteur. She had been reading to the children in our special needs classes for several years. Gaye missed the children for the last 20 months, and decided to return to the school last month: “I was very moved when a little boy in Ms. Woodard’s class remembered my first name: it is good not to be forgotten. I love my former little school so much; it’s my happy place.”

Whether if was your “happy place” or not, today’s Pasteur kids need you desperately! You can be confident that your gift of time or money is making a difference for children and families in Detroit!

Thank you for anything you can do to help!

Stay safe,

Wendy Wagenheim, Chair of the Board

Marcy Feldman, Founding President