By Gina Christian • Posted December 19, 2019

Solar robots, microscopes and glow in the dark slime are topping the Christmas wish list of one archdiocesan Catholic Social Services (CSS) agency this year.

The items are needed for CSS’s Out of School Time (OST) programs, which serve hundreds of at-risk children and youth in grades K-12 throughout the Philadelphia area.

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When school is in session, the OST sites focus on developing students’ intellectual, social and emotional skills. During the summer, the programs feature instruction in dance, culinary and fabric arts, academic reinforcement and recreational activities.

Throughout the year, the sites focus in particular on STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education, which is why the program needs laptops, tablets, crystal growing kits — and slime.

To meet their OST inventory needs, CSS has launched its second annual “Sharing Hope, Filling Hearts” online donation campaign through Amazon Smile.

All items donated via this registry-style wish list will have the option to be mailed directly to CSS for distribution to the OST Programs.

To view the list and to make a donation, visit the campaign on Amazon Smile.