We’re Still Having a Joyous, Safe (Socially Distanced) Christmas

The birth of Jesus made possible not just a new way of understanding life, but a new way of living it.

The Rev. Frederick Buechner

Many of us are lamenting how different our holidays will be this year. At the same time, Sheltering Wings is filled with excited anticipation because we are still able to give our families a Christmas – a happy, safe, memory-making Christmas.

And for many, this will be their first holiday when sugarplum fairies can dance joyfully in their heads. This could be their first Christmas with a gift to open. This might be the first time they get to make a snowman, sing along with carols and just have fun.

Sheltering Wings definitely will be filled with laughter in this social-distancing Christmas. During our annual holiday party, our kiddos will still be telling Santa what they want for Christmas, just from 6 feet away and through masks. (Does he need to wear a mask or does his beard qualify as PPE?) We’ll still read the story about Christ’s birth. And, we’ll still experience the peace, comfort, joy and wonder of celebrating the true meaning of Christmas. God sent his own Son into this virus-filled world to save us from sin and to give us eternal hope – not just at Christmas but every day of the year.

We’re also asking members of the community to adopt our families and to donate items from our wish list (also available on Amazon!) to ensure everyone has something to open on Christmas Day. If you’d like to adopt a family, contact our office at (317) 745-1496 and we’ll make sure to add you to the list of helpful elves! I can’t wait to see the outpouring of love and kindness through the eyes of our residents and their kids – our community is always so generous!

Christmas may look very different for Sheltering Wings families this year, but it’s still important for us to help them create happy, safe, tradition-making memories. Thank you for all your support and your prayers.

Merry Christmas to you and yours!

With gratitude,

Cassie Mecklenburg
Executive Director

P.S. Your generosity in the closing days of 2020 will help to ensure we launch into 2021 poised to continue helping survivors build stable, independent lives. Will you donate?