Christmas for the Love of Children

Family Waitlist Application

Each year, OPEN M partners with schools and local sponsors to provide holiday gifts for children in need across our community through our Christmas for the Love of Children program.

Families enrolled in this program will receive approximately $50 worth of gifts per child. We serve children from newborn through age 17, and do our best to make each gift package personal and thoughtful.

If you were not able to sign up through a school counselor, this waitlist form is available for families who would still like to be considered.

Important Note: Submitting this waitlist form does not guarantee your family will be selected.
Families who apply through a school counselor or community partner are prioritized first. If we do not reach our 200-family limit through those applications, we will begin contacting families from this waitlist in the order applications are received.

The final application deadline is October 17, 2025.

Important Notes Before You Begin:

  • Only ONE form should be submitted per family.

  • If you’ve already applied through a school or counselor, do not submit this form again.

  • Each school has a set number of family submissions allowed. Any entries over that limit will not be accepted.

  • The final application deadline is October 17, 2025. Submissions will be reviewed and confirmed after this date.

  • Please provide any special considerations gift buyers should be aware of (e.g., sensory needs, allergies)

🎁 Please note: While we do our best to honor suggestions, we ask that all requests be thoughtful and appropriate. We cannot fulfill luxury or high-cost items such as gaming systems, designer shoes, or fine jewelry.

Distribution/Pick Up Day
Tuesday, December 16, 2025

Your school representative or program contact will be assigned a time slot to notify parents and guardians about gift pickup at 941 Princeton St. Akron, OH 44311, which will take place between 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM.

If your assigned time slot does not work, please contact us as soon as possible to make alternative arrangements. If a family member or guardian is unable to attend, a proxy may pick up gifts on their behalf.

  • Please use the proxy pickup form provided by your school or program contact.

  • Completed forms must be brought with the person picking up the gifts.

A school counselor or program representative may also pick up and distribute gifts and food on behalf of families.

Please complete the application below and include each child in your household. We will follow up with you after completing the application. For questions contact LeKesha Parkman at l.parkman@openm.org
or call 330-434-0110, ext. 418.

941 Princeton St.
Akron, OH 44311

We encourage all families to apply through their school counselor first, as waitlist spots are extremely limited and not guaranteed.

Thank you for your interest in this joyful effort. We’re honored to serve our neighbors with care and dignity each holiday season.