HOPE FOR THE HOLIDAYS
"Expect the unexpected" would be the quintessential phrase to describe this past year. Never would we have expected to be navigating life through a pandemic for ten months, nor would we have expected to transition so many meetings, trainings, and therapy sessions to a virtual platform, and never would we have expected the outpouring of support we have received from our community during a year that has brought so much hardship, uncertainty, and financial strain. But again, expect the unexpected.
As an agency we went into the holiday season with nervousness, hoping we could pull off our annual Holiday Project which provides basic needs to families, and gifts to over 1,000 children each year.
As time for the project drew nearer, we were amazed how once again, even in the midst of year filled with turmoil for so many, our community rallied behind us to help ensure the children and families we serve have a joyous holiday. This year we have witnessed both humility and generosity that has left us in awe.
Humility in the form of children whose only holiday wish was to have new bedding, or a warm winter coat, caregivers when asked what basic needs they need help with this holiday season answered "gift cards for food" or "toilet paper", or the caregivers who came to the holiday shop over the past few days who left in tears because they were so incredibly grateful to fulfill their child's wish this year, or were even able to give gifts at all because they had just lost their job.
Generosity in the form of a faith community rallying together to purchase a car for a single mother so she has reliable transportation for her family, Adopt-a-Family supporters who gifted families with new couches to make their home more comfortable, a supporter who granted a family's wish of having a Christmas tree for the first time in four years, a supporter who gave a family a new dryer so they could have clean laundry at home, and a supporter who gave a $500 visa gift card to go toward outstanding medical bills for a family in crisis. And as always, our volunteers who work countless hours, the financial support of local businesses, and numerous donors throughout the community who each year make our Holiday Project a success.
We are humbled. We are grateful. We are filled with HOPE this holiday season. The love, generosity, and support shown to these children and families who have been through so much, impacts their lives beyond measure. From all of us at CACCC, Thank You.
Wishing you all a safe, healthy, and happy holiday!
