05/22/2026
🎉 25–26 School Year Wrap‑Up 🎉
What. A. Year!
From torrential rain to freezing temps… from emergency requests to Christmas miracles… from clearance‑aisle victories to heart‑melting thank‑you notes… Our Friends Closet showed up for kids across Louisiana every single week.
Here’s a look at what your generosity made possible:
🚗 Deliveries, Deliveries, Deliveries
This year, Tina practically lived in her car — and Wendy survived two of Tina’s vacations (barely). Together, we:
Stocked 57+ schools with hygiene products and snacks
Delivered to schools in St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, and St. Bernard and more
Restocked closets, filled pantries, and answered emergency calls — even in fog, storms, and flood watches
Kids had what they needed because you made sure we had what we needed.
🧦 Socks, Shoes & School Essentials
If there were an award for “Most Requested Item,” socks would win by a landslide. This year we provided:
Socks (so many socks) and underwear
Shoes for students who had none
Uniform pants, shirts, coats, and even 273 pairs of freshly washed pants
Bookbags — including a clearance haul that made our whole week
When a student needed it, we found it.
💛 Emergency Requests That Touched Our Hearts
This year brought some unforgettable moments:
A non‑verbal student who desperately needed dental care — we funded appointments, prescriptions, and helped the family get Medicaid
A student who lost everything in a house fire — we provided an air mattress and gift cards
A 7th grader who needed a wheelchair
A teen who lost her mother and needed help returning home to her support system
Students needing welding clothes — we got it all
A school in dire need of food — we stocked them immediately
Every crisis was met with compassion, speed, and community love.
🎄 Christmas Magic Like Never Before
This year’s Adopt‑A‑Student Christmas Program was our biggest yet:
127 students received gifts
Supported by 67 individuals, 6 businesses, and 2 women’s groups
Ochsner Northshore adopted 41 students
Holiday bunco groups, law firms, and community angels stepped up in huge ways
Santa (and our volunteers) made deliveries right up until Christmas break
And yes — the thank‑you notes made us cry.
🎓 Graduation Gift Program
We celebrated 40 graduating seniors who weren’t expecting a single gift. Because of you, they walked into adulthood knowing their community believes in them.
🤝 Community Partners Who Lifted Us Up
This year we were supported by:
Liberty Self Storage (free storage — lifesavers!)
CompuSoar (website heroes)
Amuse Bouche Supper Club
Padre Pio Fraternity
James Samaritan
Engel & Völkers Slidell/Mandeville
Olde Town Pizza Company
The Pig Charity Organization
St. Tammany Parish Employees
Hollywood Casino’s TITO program
Slidell Rotary Heritage Festival
And so many more.
🎉 The Numbers Tell the Story — But the Hearts Tell It Better
This year, we:
Helped students experiencing homelessness
Provided hygiene products to dozens of schools
Supported counselors and teachers who work miracles daily
Responded to emergencies with compassion and speed
Built Hope Closets
Partnered with businesses, churches, and civic groups
Filled gaps no one else sees
And we did it all with love, laughter, and a trunk full of snacks.
💛 Thank You
To every donor, volunteer, counselor, partner, and friend — you made this year unforgettable. You helped kids feel seen, supported, and cared for. You changed lives. You gave hope.
