Dear friends:
Our colleague, Autumn Bucy, was working in our information booth on a sultry summer’s day at the Hendricks County Fair. What does that have to do with the holiday season? I’ll let her explain …
A young girl approached the table and excitedly asked, “Do you want to know my favorite Christmas memory?” I was a little puzzled, wondering why she wanted to share a Christmas memory in the middle of July.
“Many years ago, me, my mom and my siblings were at the shelter. My favorite Christmas memories are from the year we were there. I remember Santa coming in on a firetruck, someone reading the Christmas story to us, food — lots of food — and getting a present from Santa.”
What she described was exactly what happens at each year’s Christmas party for our residents. And then she added, “That was the first Christmas I remember with no fighting, and that we were happy.”
We went on to talk about her mom and how all their lives had changed (https://shelteringwings.org/donate-online-2/) after staying at Sheltering Wings (https://shelteringwings.org) . One of our many success stories, her mom raised her children in a healthy environment, has a successful IT position in a thriving company and recently obtained a college degree!
Our outreach opportunities (https://shelteringwings.org/volunteers/) ensure the community knows we’re here to support them in times of crisis. Just as important, they sometimes allow us to reconnect with our past residents or to hear about a survivor who has broken the cycle of domestic violence.
May this holiday season bring joy-filled and safe memories. Merry Christmas to all!
