Ruth Parker Eason School

It is my pleasure to acknowledge and share the amazing work of Sunflowers for Sallie, and its founder, Rita Williams-Ellingwood. The partnership between Ruth Parker Eason School and Sunflowers for Sallie began in 2021. As a school that serves students ages 3-21, we have over 50% of our families living in poverty. The hardship of poverty, in addition to the challenges of having a child with special needs, make our school community one that truly benefits from the kindness and generosity of community partners. Over the past several years, Rita and her amazing organization have become one of our most valued partners.

Sunflowers from Sallie brings together volunteers to create food baskets at the holidays, that are built from donations of others. Initially, we received approximately 15 baskets at Thanksgiving. Following a few school visits, Rita offered additional assistance at Easter; providing 25 families with gift cards for food. Since that time, our relationship has only grown.

For the past few years at Thanksgiving, a group of our school staff volunteers help build Baskets of Hope along with others from our community. During the Christmas season 2024, Sunflowers for Sallie came to Ruth Parker Eason, and we put together over 100 food baskets for families at three special education schools in AACPS. Looking ahead, we are thrilled to host the basket building for ALL thanksgiving baskets in 2025! By providing a space in which Sunflowers for Sallie can work their magic and impact so many families, we are in our own way giving back. There are no words or actions that can ever convey our deep gratitude for Rita, and everything Sunflowers for Sallie does for our school and so many others in the surrounding counties.

Sunflowers for Sallie not only provides food, they spread joy and hope, making a difference in lives with each and every basket!