A volunteer welcomes kids to a waiting room while parents and guardians shops for gifts.Towards Employment (TE), the nonprofit that empowers people to achieve and maintain self-sufficiency through employment by connecting them to careers, is gearing up for its annual holiday party and gift giveaway—an event meant to bring some holiday joy for people and their families in TE's workforce development programs.

The event, which is officially called the "Towards Employment Alumni Holiday Bash," but over the course of its 13 years has adopted the subtitle "Annual Gift Giveaway Event." The event takes place this Saturday, Dec. 20 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Towards Employment's main offices in the St. Clair-Superior neighborhood.

“It's definitely a party with a great cause,” says Ronnie Cannon, TE senior manager of community engagement who explains that the gift drive serves both current and former Towards Employment program participants.

"It's for all individuals that receive services from Towards Employment dating back however long they've been connected."

Participants can register up to six children each, whether they're biological children, nieces, nephews, grandchildren, or other children in their lives. This year, Cannon says about 120 families have registered for the event, but they are prepared to serve between 300 to 600 children.

Adapting to address new needs
The Gift Giveaway portion of the event began as small initiative with University Hospitals, Cannon says, growing into a major community effort that reflects Towards Employment's philosophy that workforce development extends beyond job placement.

“I've been with the organization for over 13 years, and it's grown since I've been a part of it,” he observes. “It was something that was really small for some of our participants. There was a case manager who would get toys for those participants, and it was like, ‘hey, let's expand it to other programs.’ And each year it grows bigger and bigger.”

Towards Employment alumni gather at the annual TE Holiday Bash.Additionally, the event takes a dignified approach to giving. Rather than simply handing out random gifts to the children, organizers set up the space "almost like a store," Cannon says, where families can shop and choose items that are appropriate for their children. He explains that gifts are categorized by age brackets, making the process easier for parents and guardians.

Over the years, the event has evolved to include wrapping stations with volunteers providing materials like ribbons, tape, and gift bags—addressing the reality that families need more than just toys to create a complete holiday experience.

"You're giving them toys, but they don't have the wrapping paper to wrap the toys," Cannon notes, explaining how a colleague's insight about six years ago led to the addition of the wrapping stations.

Towards Employment partners with Toys for Tots, for many gift contributions, but the program caps eligibility at age 12. Cannon says TE needs donations for teenagers ages 13 to 17, including gift cards, hygiene kits, and age-appropriate gifts.

The Holiday Bash will offer three sessions on life-work balance, entrepreneurship, and financial wellness. Snacks will be provided.

While parents are shopping or in the sessions, a dedicated children's area with arts and crafts will keep kids entertained.

Donate and volunteer
Although registration for the participating families has closed, Towards Employment will accept donations right up until Saturday’s event. Donations can be dropped off at the Towards Employment offices, 3301 St. Clair Ave NE, 44114, through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Additionally, TE has several ways to help—maintaining several registries, accepting monetary donations, and accepting gift wrapping supplies like bags, ribbons, and tape. Volunteers are also invited to help with gift wrapping or serve as escort shoppers to assist families in selecting age-appropriate gifts.

Cannon says the Holiday Bash and Gift Giveaway is designed to not only support and educate its program participants, but it is also meant to be a time for celebration and camaraderie.

"The work that we do at Towards Employment obviously is trying to address workforce development, help people get connected to careers, but we always are mindful that there are other challenges that are going on outside of just trying to get a job or start a career,” Cannon explains.

“We just try to make sure we pass along some holiday cheer or take some sense of stress out of individuals' lives during this time of year."