Thank you from the Christmas Angels

Thank you to every angel who made this seventh year of our program very successful! Every single donation of time, talents or finance added up to make a beautiful difference in many lives. In total, "Christmas Angels" assured 70 kids got Christmas gifts under their tree this year! Through donations of money, gift cards, gifts, wrapping paper, time, Simply Susan's Angel tree, raffle and fundraiser support, we were able to come together to help 27 families by buying and wrapping all of their family Christmas gifts from Santa. Families also received a large basket of home goods and grocery items. Families were each given a handmade blanket, handmade candy, sausage, beautiful magnet, angel ornament and sausage. In addition to gifts, families received an angel Christmas card with various gift cards (i.e. groceries, gas, pizza and local businesses). These hardworking families are facing unexpected difficulties and have been extremely appreciative. They were all nominated by others for our program. We had a number of families we have helped in the past join us in donating, and many that we helped this year are already planning to pay it forward and help us next year! Santa and Mrs. Claus visited 14 homes and a nursing home! Christmas Angels gave a large care-gift basket to an additional six families who were facing a very challenging year because of a serious event, such as an illness, injury or death. We were able to give 100-plus bottles of good-smelling soft bath soaps and small gifts — one for each resident of an area nursing home, and also gave them that many cards made by students at Calvert Elementary. Christmas Angels gave 10 bags of toys to teachers who work with low-income students (for some students these may be the only gifts they get). We gave a few bags of toys to a Children's Hospital (for kids getting blood drawn/shots). We made 10 large snack/fruit baskets to the nursing/medical staff at Mercy Hospital. We are so grateful to all of you for believing, encouraging and supporting, so this program continues to grow, so others may feel His love and that they can celebrate His birthday in the special way it deserves to be! Amy Recker Christmas Angels