With your generosity, more than 750 gifts were provided for over 103 children in our residential center and counseling programs for Christmas this year. Additionally, Wish List donors provided 526 (and counting) supplies for residents to use in the cottages, school, music therapy, equine assisted therapy, recreation and spiritual programs. Through the Christmas Wish List, you are helping children feel heard, seen and valued.
The personalized gifts make Christmas day a little easier for youth who feel the separation from their families even more at the holidays.
Kids like Zane who arrived at CCHO the week of Christmas. Zane entered our teen boy cottage filled with pain and anger. He was mad at his county worker for placing him at CCHO; angry with his parents for not working their court ordered program to get him back. And he was upset with himself over some decisions he had made.
When he arrived at CCHO, Zane informed staff he had no intentions of filling out a Wish List. He shared, “if my parents don’t care, why would someone who doesn’t know me care?" Staff worked to build connection and trust with Zane and during this process learned some fun things about this teen boy. Zane LOVED football with his favorite team being the Ohio State Buckeyes. He also used art as a coping skill and his favorite color was green. As staff worked to learn more about Zane, they completed a Wish List on his behalf. The list was sent to a donor who purchased gifts and returned them to CCHO within 24 hours (Santa’s got nothing on our donors).
Christmas morning arrived and Zane came down for breakfast. Staff informed the boys they all had presents - including Zane. Overcome with emotions Zane ran upstairs and wouldn't come out of his room. Staff worked with him and eventually got him to come out. They went downstairs to see what presents he had received. Later that day, Zane informed staff that this was the best Christmas he ever had, and it was because of a few people who took the time to pick out presents for him.
Thank you so much for supporting kids like Zane. On Christmas day, Zane got to experience being seen and valued. He learned there are people in the world who may not know him but still care for him and want him to feel loved. For that, we say thank you!
Over 40+ individuals, families, organizations, businesses, churches and small groups comprise our Wish List donors. Each one giving generously to make the holidays a little brighter. Thank for giving joy to our kiddos from hard places. We are continually grateful for your support.
· First Christian Church (Sandusky)
· First Christian Church (Columbiana)
· Re/Max Showcase (Wooster)
· First Capital Christian Church
· Louisville Christian Church
· Orrville Christian Church
· Wooster Nazarene
· Christ Church in Sterling
· Weston Church of Christ
· Employees of The J.M. Smucker Company
· ProVia Customer Service Department
· Broadway Global Methodist Church
· Sunbury Christian Church
· The Pines Christian Church
· Ohio Gratings, Inc.
· Grandview Christian Church
· AWNA Clubs of Fellowship Baptist Church
· West Salem Church of God
· Hair By Kim
· Pleasant View Church of Christ
· Discover Christian Church
· UPS
Special thank yous go out to the following:
Discover Christian Church for not only providing Stocking for all the children in our residential center, but also for all the staff that worked on Christmas Day.
Volunteers at Wooster Nazarene and Element Youth Group of Orrville Christian Church for inventorying all of the gifts donated for our kids.
And Orrville Christian Church’s Women’s Ministry for hosting “That’s a Wrap” to wrap all of the kid’s Christmas presents.
We greatly appreciate all of you!
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