Last week, more than 250 people came together for our Holiday Gift Party. One of the attendees sums up her Holiday Gift experience nicely:
“REACH has been here for me in so many ways in the last few years and I know that I’m where I am now because of your support and the extended hand your organization has provided me. The Holiday Party was amazing. It was a safe place that I can let my children run, play and eat (too much!) candy. I would like to express how special the people that buy the gifts are. In my experience I feel the love and hope when I open the bags and start to wrap my children’s gifts. The gifts are so thoughtful and carefully selected. I’m speechless when I see the generosity pour in and am so grateful to see the smiles on my children’s faces when they are able to open their gifts on Christmas morning.”
During this marvelous week, more than 275 families (over 800 adults and kids!) received gifts – supplied by strangers they’ve never met. The gifts are items that they themselves asked for; gifts that donors thoughtfully picked out based on information provided by each survivor such as sizes, favorite colors, and hobbies. One of our incredible sponsors, Bullhorn, wrote about their experience here.
For REACH staff and volunteers, it is a wonderful week of organizing and distributing the gifts. The party, generously hosted by our friends at Vistaprint with catering donated by Blue Ribbon BBQ and an amazing group of volunteers, provides a joyous opportunity for survivors to gather and strengthen the social connections that are so important to their health and ongoing healing.
All of this would not be possible without the kindness of REACH donors and volunteers who do so much to brighten the holiday season. Your generosity also helps us provide important services to survivors and communities all year long. If you have not already made a year-end gift to REACH, please consider doing so to help sustain these vital ongoing programs.
With much thanks,
All of us at REACH
