Participant holiday stories and comments
The following stories and comments were shared by Shelter staff members when asked about the response from Shelter participants regarding the holiday gifts they received.
I want you to know that the kindness of strangers and paying it forward was so immensely touching this year! This year I had more participants than in prior years, who were involved in what I fondly dubbed the Elf Project.
Each and every participant was touched when I told them…I know some very generous Elves who want to be sure that you have a Wonderful Holiday and they would like a little information so that they can see how they might be able to search that amazing sack and see what they can shake out to make your Holiday a wee bit brighter.
As the Elves started to work their magic with Tami as their fearless leader, and packages started to fill the hall and find their way into the arms of my participants: the tears started to roll, the smiles crept onto faces, and sentiments were expressed of-how amazing people truly are, thank you so much, you don’t know what a difference this place has made in my life and that of my children…
As you all start to close up shop for another year, know that your gifts of time, treasures, and talents were so immensely appreciated by myself and all of my recipients!!
Thank you all-Merry Christmas-and know that your efforts were truly appreciated!!
I had a 60 year old woman who said what the Shelter gave her was the only Christmas she would have. She was crying because she even struggles paying for her medication. I referred her a few resources to assist with the medication. But she couldn’t stop crying. Thanks so much for all the joy you’ve shared by your hard work.
Thank you SO much! I’m so excited to give my babies the gifts and see their faces on Christmas! And you didn’t have to add anything for me but you don’t know how much I appreciate that too!! I let my son open a gift bag for me and there was running shoes (which I needed) and sports attire which I love!!! I have to be comfortable like 24/7 so that was a perfect gift for me!
My participant called me within an hour of leaving The Shelter. She said she couldn’t wait until Christmas to open her presents. She was crying with joy as she said “it is almost like they knew exactly what I wanted!”
One of our Outreach participants has been with us for several months now. She has made tremendous progress in her life. She is far from her abuser, her children are all honor roll kids, she has a full time job, which she loves and she is very proactive in her church. Her son is even the all-star football player at his high school. Recently Harvard, LSU and Alabama have all reached out to our participant in regards to her son.
Unfortunately, on our most recent visit, this participant mentioned how she felt disappointed in herself because she was unable to provide any of her kids with a single Christmas gifts. She has been doing everything right to get back on her feet, but when she realized Christmas was 9 days away, her heart sank when she only had $25 in her bank account. She has 4 kids and they are all teens. She didn’t want to let them down, they’ve been such good kids!
I told her to give me a moment, I walked out and grabbed (2) black bags filled with gifts. I told her these gifts were for her, she began to cry. I gave her a hug and she kept mentioning how much of a positive impact The Shelter has made for her. She couldn’t stop saying “Thank You!!”
I told our participant that the gifts were purposely unwrapped, we wanted to empower our moms to wrap the gifts for their children and that if she wanted, she could let her kids know the gifts were all from her. The smile on her face made my heart feel warm!!
Thank you all for what you do and continue to do. I can honestly say you’ve made one families Christmas a miracle!
