39 young adults and 15 children are going to have a much happier holiday thanks to over 70 people from First U who donated to the ILYA (Independent Living for Young Adults) Holiday Giving project.
Most requests were for gift cards for clothing and children's shoes, but there were some different wishes also.  One interesting wish was from a freshman at Wilmington University who plays on their lacrosse team. She asked for a Wawa gift card for gas and a Dick's gift card for lacrosse equipment. Another was from a music major at Cecil County Community College who asked for a ukulele as the one she had was not returned when she left the foster home.  (Many times children and young adults lose their belongings when changes in care happen quickly – they experience not only instability but the loss of the ability to hold onto many things that really matter to them.)

Thanks to your caring and generosity, we satisfied all these requests. Through ILYA, First U has communicated to these young people that they are valued and supported. It's a message that goes far beyond this holiday season. It carries forward as these young people work to build responsible, successful futures. Way to go, First U!!!