The Rubye's Kids Story

In 1994 Roz Weiss and her husband Dr. Don Weiss had the idea of providing a special day of joy at holiday time for underprivileged children. After being turned down by many organizations, Roz contacted Rubye Caesar, a woman who was dedicated to supporting less fortunate children in North Philadelphia. Together they hosted the first holiday party. Seventy five children from a local elementary school received a warm meal, a gift, lots of attention and love.

The Weiss’ and Rubye planned to have another party the following year, however in February of 1995, Rubye passed away suddenly. In Rubye's memory, Roz named the event Rubye's Kids Holiday Party. Over the last 14 years the holiday party has grown to include 500 children from 10 schools and 4 homeless shelters in Philadelphia. The children still receive a hot lunch and a gift and in addition a book of their choice, school supplies, t-shirts and numerous give a ways. They have a day of entertainment, and activities with a carnival, music, face painting, photo buttons, clowns and more, and are surrounded by volunteers offering them unconditional love. The smiles on the children’s faces are a gift to all of us who participate.

We have expanded our horizons so that we are now helping children all year round. Rubye's Kids is hosting birthday parties for 300 children in shelters, creating Rubye's Kids Reading Corners & Library in shelters, Rubye's Kids Closet providing school supplies for needy children and our most recent Back to School Backpack project that provided 200 children in shelters with backpacks filled with school supplies.

Rubye Caesar’s spirit lives on and continues to inspire us. We need your help to perpetuate our programs. We are in need of funding as well as volunteers.

Read the expanded version of the story behind Rubye's Kids >>