A Very Merry Fellowship Housing Christmas

Fellowship Housing moms and kids had a blast kicking off the holiday season with a Christmas party on December 5th in a space provided by the Willow Creek Care Center.

A group of early childhood development students and their teacher, Mrs. Serafini, provided sugar cookies along with icing and sprinkles to decorate. The cookies were so delicious, there likely won’t be any leftover for Santa on Christmas Eve!

A small group from Immanuel Community Church provided drinks and crafts for the party. They had several adorable and creative Christmas ornaments that the moms and kids could choose from. Some looked like Sesame Street characters, which had the little ones excited to be ‘makers’ and put their new creations on their trees!

Thanks to Pilar Amukamara, caring and generous-hearted wife of Chicago Bears Cornerback, Prince Amukamara, ten new families received brand new Target Christmas trees as well as bins full of trendy Christmas decor to brighten up their homes for the holidays. The new trees were perfect to put those new ornaments on from Immanuel Community Church AND to put the new tree skirts around that were provided by Loving Covers (as mentioned in our social media posts previously).

Food for Friends provided a delicious dinner of salad and pizza that the moms and kids enjoyed. There were even some leftovers that the moms were able to take home to help keep their holiday season grocery budgets in check.

Mrs. Claus made a special visit to the party as well, warmly greeting every mom and child. She reported Santa was otherwise engaged as it is a very busy time of the year for him, but she was pleased as holiday punch to be there and take pictures with everyone. Mrs. Claus read a couple stories and sang some Christmas songs with help from the children. They were so excited to see Mrs. Claus that several children not only ran excitedly to hear her tell stories, but insisted that she leave with freshly decorated cookies they had made for she and Santa to share.

In the days before and after the party, personalized gifts for each family have arrived and continue to be received at the Fellowship Housing office. Fellowship Housing families are given a zero-dollar-budget for gifts as they work on their 2 years of financial goals while in the Fellowship Housing program. Fellowship Housing families would have zero gifts around the tree without the generous giving of small groups and individuals around the community. Thank you to each one of you who sponsored a family and shopped with generous hearts to make it a special day for every child and mom.

Fellowship Housing is incredibly grateful to each volunteer and for every donation. We would not have been able to have such a wonderful party and holiday season without your support.

-written in collaboration with Heather Corins, Program Director