As someone who teaches Angel Tree recipients, I would like to give a a few pointers. I work in an urban school-- and helped oversee a toy drive in another urban school a few years ago.
The "dirty" secret is that in some organizations, there isn't a 11 year old girl, it is just an idea that a pre teen girl may come along eventually througout the year.
If it is an actual recipient, please please please do not send anything expensive. Some of the "parents" get the packages and start selling off the contents right there and then for drugs/other "favors". Some of the kids never saw any of it-- it was sold out from under them. That was one of more disenheartening things I have ever seen. It made me cry.
Now as speaking as a urban school reading teacher: As for the books, it is a lovely idea, but the reading level may not be there. Most of my students are about 3-4 reading levels behind. For example, my 8th graders are reading at about 4th-5th grade. The books while lovely stories, may not resonate with the youth. Urban youth *at least my students* like read urban based books. They can't grasp stories about far away time and places because they live in the "here and now". Fantasy, historical fiction and imagery based books are very difficult for them.
Please do give socks and gloves. Most of my kids walk to school so they need warm feet and hands. School supplies are limited so it is definetely needed. Please put highlighters in the backpack. I never have enough highlighters for my students. Please nothing too flashy.. it will get stolen by other kids. My kids do love Justin Beiber-- so a Justin Beiber folder is a hot commodity! Mechanical pencils are not that pracical because once the lead goes out, it is difficult to find replacements. Some hand held sharpeners would also be useful, because my classroom ones are broken. Staplers/staples and even fun push pins would be nice as well. Binder clips are also used. Please don't forget notebook paper and a few binders . Some construction paper and markers would also be useful for school projects.
Personal care items would be helpful and needed-- hand sanitizer, body lotion, chap stick (plain/cherry flavored), deoderant--even baby powder. No shampoo-- you don't know the type of hair so that may not work.
Don't go with games.. they don't have room for that. Some of my studnets live in shelters and sometimes cars.
All ideas are welcome and appreciated. I was thinking some lip gloss and perfume/body spray maybe? What "toys" do 11 year olds like? TIA!!
