Lavinia Hawkins with her book and featured plush bear

While working at a learning hub at the Smoketown Family Wellness Center, which provides support for kids with Non-Traditional Instruction (NTI), Lavinia Hawkins noticed how disconnected the kids were from their teachers and friends. She decided to write a children’s book to give kids something meaningful to hold on to—especially during a time when schools and libraries were closed.

Her book, "Will We Still Have Christmas?", explores how family dynamics shift during the pandemic. Lavinia launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund 1,000 copies of her book and 350 plush "Christmas Friends"—our red Colorama Bear, featured prominently in the story. These were donated to local nonprofits like Smoketown Family Wellness Center and Transitioning Family Advocates.

A big thank you to Lavinia and her husband for their inspiring work in their community. We’re proud our plush bear could be part of this meaningful project.

Sharing her story with the community

Follow Lavinia and her husband’s work on their website, Facebook, and Twitter.

Engaging students through creative learning