Methodist Children’s Home is blessed each year during the
holidays by churches and organizations across Texas and New Mexico who step in
to sponsor activities for our MCH Family Outreach offices. This year was no
exception as each office hosted holiday celebrations for families served
through foster care and family preservation services.
“All locations host holiday events to celebrate the season
with families and to provide opportunities for fellowship with and support from
other families and staff,” said Kelly Smith, MCH program administrator for the
Western region. “These events also provide opportunity for community partners
to show support for the families in our programs.”
Below are details of events hosted by each office location
this year:
Abilene: The Abilene Christmas party was held at Beltway
Coffee Company who offered the group a discounted price. Board games were on
each table and families could also try Christmas crafts. “Getting to know you”
bingo was available for the adults so all of the families could mingle. Staff
also led a game involving a gigantic plastic wrap ball that was filled with
prizes. Everyone had to wear oven mitts and had 30 seconds to unwrap the ball. The
children also enjoyed Beltway’s indoor playground.
Albuquerque: The
Albuquerque event this year was held at Christ United Methodist Church on Dec.
9. Chick-fil-A (general manager Jeremy Tafoya) generously agreed to
provide food for the 50 guests as well as MCH staff and volunteers. MCH hosted
a Christmas store event, in which families had the opportunity to shop for
presents for one another. First, parents shopped for children and had the
opportunity to choose from a plethora of donated gifts from Methodist churches
in the community. After lunch, children had the opportunity to do the same for
their parents or caregivers. In between shopping, families enjoyed Christmas
songs, a Christmas skit and an arts and crafts project.
Bryan/CS: Staff took
care in putting together gift baskets for caregivers and presents for children
that are currently being served through their programs or were recently
discharged. They then personally delivered the gifts to the family’s home or
had them available to pick up at the office.
Corpus Christi: The
Corpus Christi office partnered with Mission 911, a local shelter, to provide
seven families with a Christmas tree, stand and boxed ornaments. Corpus
Outreach also hosted a Christmas party on Dec. 15 at Hester’s Café. The venue
and gifts were sponsored by St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. A total of 69
children and 25 families received Christmas gifts from Santa. Families
were able to enjoy Christmas cookies and hot chocolate while the children made
reindeer antler crafts. Families were able to take pictures with a
Christmas backdrop designed by MCH staff. The local police and fire departments
were also on site to allow children and families to tour the emergency
vehicles. The police department passed out stuffed teddy bears to all in
attendance. Staff said they all greatly enjoyed the event and felt very blessed
to be allowed to spend this time in celebration with families.
Dallas: The
Dallas Outreach office hired a balloon professional that was a hit with the
kids. The Journey Men, a group from First United Methodist Church of
Richardson, volunteer each year for the office and feed all of the families and
kids attending the party. They supplied and served bacon, sausage, eggs,
and biscuits and gravy to feed more than 100 guests. One of the volunteers
also dressed up like Santa and most clients got their pictures taken with him.
Every single child there was provided one gift from Santa. FUMC of
Richardson provided their fellowship hall for the party. Three Christmas trees
and a booth display were set up for photos. Most of the Christmas gifts this
year were again supplied by First United Methodist Church in Coppell.
El Paso: On Dec.
14, El Paso Outreach celebrated its second annual Christmas celebration at
Peter Piper Pizza for Gap and Family Solutions families. This year the
attendance almost doubled from 50 to 97 attendees. The mascot for the El Paso
Chihuahuas baseball team, Chico the dog, made a special appearance to play with
the children and take pictures with families and staff. In addition, the staff
entertained the children with arts and crafts projects and a game of reindeer ring
toss. Thank you to the Chihuahuas baseball team and Chico for making this
Christmas celebration memorable for our families.
Houston: The
Houston
foster care Christmas party was again held at Deer Park United Methodist
Church. MCH foster children as well as biological children of the foster
parents provided the entertainment, which included singing, reading Bible
stories, praise dancing, and a magic trick. Thank you to Deer Park UMC for
providing everything needed to make this occasion special for our families.
There were 15 adults and 26 children from the Gap and Family
Solutions programs in attendance for the Christmas party on Dec. 16 at St. Luke's Methodist Church. They sang
Christmas songs, played games, took pictures with Santa, ate, and decorated
Christmas cookies. The families enjoyed themselves and the Christmas party was
a success!
Killeen: Killeen
welcomed families to their Christmas party on Dec. 16 at First United Methodist
Church of Killeen. Volunteers
from Trinity Baptist and Harker Heights UMC helped run the event by manning
games, registration and restocking food. Chick-fil-A donated a portion of the
food for families. Guests enjoyed decorating cookies, playing bingo, making
crafts, and playing games.
Las Cruces: The
Las Cruces staff hosted several family festivities this year in celebration of
the holidays. First, they converted their conference room into a photo studio
for families to take pictures and talk about what makes their family special.
Las Cruces also partnered with the Fraternal Order of Police for “Shop with a
Cop” where 11 families received vouchers for items along with help from a
police officer who served as their shopping assistant. More than 70 people
gathered for the Las Cruces Outreach office’s Winterfest on Dec. 15. The group
enjoyed activities and food specially prepared by staff and members of the Gap
Planning Committee. United Healthcare also provided Play-Doh for crafts,
information and gifts for guests. Guests could also take home wreaths,
ornaments, snowmen, jewelry, and other gifts they made during the festivities.
The evening was topped off by a visit from Santa who took pictures with the
children.
Lubbock: The Lubbock
office had their annual Christmas party for Family Solutions and Gap clients on
Dec. 6. The party was hosted again by the ladies at Lakeridge United Methodist
Church. They provided the families with breakfast, donated by Chick-fil-A, and
stockings stuffed with lots of goodies for each child in attendance. MCH Family
Outreach staff provided each family with a basket full of household necessities
and games for the children. The children sang Christmas carols and welcomed
Santa and Mrs. Claus to the party while singing “Here Comes Santa Claus.” This
year there were a total of 20 families with 60 children at the party and all
enjoyed a time of fun and fellowship together.
San Antonio: On
Dec. 2 the San Antonio office hosted “A Charlie Brown Christmas” party for
foster families. Families and staff came together to celebrate the holidays and
enjoy fellowship with one another at the University United Methodist Church.
Children had several activity stations to choose from and completed several
Charlie Brown arts and crafts projects. Children also received a special visit
from Santa Claus and were surprised with Christmas presents. The Charlie Brown
Christmas Party created a warm, inviting environment that allowed everyone to
come together and celebrate the Christmas holiday.
Tyler: The Tyler
Outreach office hosted two Christmas parties. On Dec. 8 the Mentoring
Alliance/Boys and Girls Club of Tyler donated the use of their building space
for the preservation family party. Jon Lasse of the Boys and Girls Club-Tyler
donated his time and energy during the event. Guests were treated to pizza and
cupcakes, crafts, a bounce house, and presents to take home.
For the foster family Christmas party, MCH Family Outreach in Tyler partnered with Marvin United
Methodist Church again this year. Members of the church faithfully volunteer
for this event each year and purchase gifts for the children. During the party
children were given the opportunity to participate in activities ranging from
engaging holiday crafts, to face-painting and a bounce house. Then, just down
the hallway from these happenings, kids of all ages were able to visit with
Santa Claus and share with him their detailed Christmas wishes. After this, all
of the children in attendance opened presents that were provided for them from
either Marvin United Methodist members or MCH Family Outreach. Chick-fil-A
donated more than 100 sandwiches and nuggets for the lunch. After lunch the
group enjoyed a cake and sang “Happy Birthday” to Jesus.
Waco: Together
with staff in Waco Outreach, Baylor intern Phoebe Stanford planned a
spectacular party for Family Solutions and Gap families. Central United
Methodist Church and Senior Ministries provided about 85 personally selected
gifts for the children. Nan Holmes from Central United Methodist Church attended
the celebration and helped serve food and engaged with the children. Benefactor
Betty Bender donated handmade hats for the children and Central UMC provided
handmade blankets. During the party, staff provided a kid-friendly menu of
pizza, a veggie tray, tea and cupcakes. Guests played bingo, decorated cookies
and had a raffle drawing. Santa also stopped by to visit. Other generous
donations included: Central UMC provided a financial offering to support the
purchase of food and miscellaneous items; Tea-to-Go provided several gallons of
tea, cups and ice; Magnolia Bakery provided 100 cupcakes and assorted cookies; Collin
Street Bakery provided us with a generous discount on cookies for decorating; Shorty’s
Pizza provided six free pizzas; and Papa Johns provided three free pizzas.
Thank you to all our friends who supported MCH Family
Outreach offices this year!
