If you’re looking for project for your team or co-workers to do this holiday season, Catholic Charities would love to partner with you. Several organizations and parishes have already started projects to help foster care families and other Catholic Charities’ work, like domestic violence shelters. Here are a few examples of what’s going on in December.
Game Night Gift Bags
The Orchard Society is making a difference by putting together Game Night bags for children in foster care. The have donated 50 Game Night bags, 25 for younger children and 25 for older children. This is the first year for this project—we’re excited to see how it brightens kids’ faces.
Christmas Party
St. Thomas More Catholic Parish hosts a yearly Christmas party for children in foster care. Close to 30 volunteers gathered recently to prepare a feast, decorate the party area, and play games and crafts with the kids. Fun was had by all—even the teenagers enjoyed a game of Twister.
Wade Mcfall and Ernie Meza from St. Thomas More were instrumental in making the day a success for the children and parents who attended. We also could not have done it without Arizona Association of School Business Professionals, Deer Valley Unified School District and RCIA community. Patty Kaufman from It’s U Photo, donated her time to take individual Santa photos of every child, so they would have a lasting memory. And we had to mention the delicious cupcakes and goodie bags that were donated by La Purissima Bakery in Glendale.
Advent Giving Tree
Each year St. Francis Xavier Parish celebrates a season of giving with an Advent Giving Tree. Each star represents a need in the community. The stars are chosen by parishioners, then gift cards are bought for each need and returned to the parish.
Various programs inside Catholic Charities will benefit from the generous gifts including the foster care program, My Sisters’ Place (domestic violence shelter), the affordable housing program and the refugee resettlement program.
Providing gift cards adds an additional layer of blessing. The recipients get to choose items in their favorite colors and appropriate sizes. They also get to take part in the fun of Christmas shopping.
What About You?
If you’d like to be a part of the Catholic Charities’ holiday story this year, please give us a call at 602-285-1999.
