UAB’s Little Blazer Wishes program offers anonymous gift sponsorship to students with young families who may otherwise struggle to fulfill their children’s holiday wish lists.Many college students struggle to balance school, work, internships and family.
The struggle can be especially fraught when those students are parents to young children. Holiday gifts can feel out of reach, placing some in a position no parent wants to face.
That is why in 2019 the University of Alabama at Birmingham launched an annual drive to help relieve some of those burdens — and keep the wonder of the holidays alive in tiny hearts.
The Little Blazer Wishes program helps support student parents at UAB who may need help by providing holiday gifts to their children. The program offers anonymous gift sponsorship to Blazers who may otherwise struggle to fulfill their children’s holiday wish lists. Parenting students, either undergraduate or graduate, distance-learning or in-person, can participate.
UAB’s Little Blazer Wishes program offers anonymous gift sponsorship to students with young families who may otherwise struggle to fulfill their children’s holiday wish lists.
Now in its seventh year, this heartfelt initiative has brought relief to more than 500 families and nearly 1,000 children, offering comfort and joy during a challenging time. In 2024, thanks to the incredible generosity of the university’s campus partners, staff, alumni and community members, gifts were provided to 267 children from 136 families. The program is coordinated through UAB Student Affairs’ Office of Off-Campus Student and Family Engagement.
While last year every applicant received support, that has not always been the case, says Meredith Kahl, director of UAB Parent and Family Services. As the program continues to grow, the need this year is expected to be greater than ever.
“Your gift ensures every student who applies can receive the support they need,” Kahl said.
Anyone interested in supporting Little Blazer Wishes but unable to sponsor a complete family can contribute to the Little Blazer Wishes Fund. This fund is used to purchase gifts for any unsponsored families. If all the families are sponsored, the fund will be used to purchase needed items for all students registered with the Little Blazer Wishes Program, such as gift cards to grocery stores.
Read more about the Little Blazer Wishes program and this year’s families. Donate, sponsor a family or support Little Blazer Wishes for Giving Tuesday.