By: Anna Early

Meredith Kahl, director of Off-Campus Student and Family Engagement, standing amongst a pile of donated presents (2021)

CLICK HERE TO DONATE OR SPONSOR A LITTLE BLAZER

The University of Alabama at Birmingham's office of  Off-Campus Student and Family Engagement is hosting its 4th annual Little Blazer Wishes program.

Donated presents from the 2021 Little Blazer Wishes

Little Blazer Wishes is a program that anonymously gifts and supports UAB students with children during the holiday season. Meredith Kahl, director of Off-Campus Student and Family Engagement, says that the most rewarding thing about being a part of the program is, “the impression and the connection that you leave with the families; both the families that are coming into the program and their excitement about what they’re leaving with and their feeling of gratitude and genuine thanks is truly there.” 

Since its launch in 2019, the Little Blazer Wishes program has fulfilled the wishlists of over 250 families! This would not be possible without the support of our incredible UAB community.

By sponsoring a family or donating to the Little Blazer Wishes gifting fund, you can alleviate some of the financial stress that comes with the holiday season for UAB parenting students. Currently, there are approximately 70 families in need of a sponsor for the 2022 season. 

Kahl emphasized how there is no one size fits all situation for students who will benefit from Little Blazer Wishes. She says “There’s not just one singular situation. You’ve got families that are single-parent households. You’ve got families that are two-parent households, but maybe one is military and deployed, or one is unemployed and injured. These are individuals who are not doing the traditional class experience, but are trying to balance school and work, while also being a mom or dad.”

UAB students and faculty, organizations, offices, and departments can sponsor an anonymous family through Blazer Pulse and shop for the families before the Nov. 30 deadline.

Please consider making a monetary donation to the Little Blazer Wishes fund if you are unable to support an entire family. This fund is used to ensure that all of our Little Blazers get to experience some holiday magic! 

The deadline for gift drop off is November 30 at the Hill Student Center, Suite 140.  Donations should be placed in a clearly labeled gift bag, not gift-wrapped or in a box. 

For more information on how to donate or get involved, visit Little Blazer Wishes or contact Meredith Kahl at mkahl@uab.edu.