Christmas can be a difficult time of year for some of the families working with Bridges of Hope. Often, families have to make tough financial choices, which might mean choosing between giving their children Christmas gifts or providing for their everyday needs.
Naturally we want to support families who are making the tough decisions to keep paying for things like their monthly housing and heating costs…even when it means sacrificing on Christmas gifts for their family. That’s one of the reasons Bridges of Hope coordinates the Christmas Gift Program. This program matches families in need with local sponsors who purchase gifts for children in need. Carly, our student intern, recently posted about this program (read more).
Sponsors help alleviate some of the stress for families around the holiday season–helping ensure that parents can focus on paying their regular household bills but are still able to see smiles on their children’s faces on Christmas morning around the tree.
I’d like to share with you one of thank you cards I received from a family served by the Christmas Gift Program last year:
To: All Staff & Associates of Bridges of Hope
I don’t know where to begin exactly… I applied for your program because as a single parent of four children I was really struggling to make it this year. I was devastated because it was so close to Christmas and me and my kids were forced out of our home on the 20th of December. [With] no house & very few gifts, I didn’t know what to do. [Then] I got a phone call from [name omitted for confidentiality] asking questions about my children and me. I learned they had adopted my family for Christmas through your program. What a blessing we received because of Bridges of Hope. Christmas morning was all smiles here. You are so appreciated and are included in daily prayers for your continued support to those in need in our community. Thank you for your kindness.
~A Very Thankful Family
Bridges of Hope would like to extend a big thank you to our wonderful Christmas sponsors that help make stories like this happen. Because of you, over 160 families will have a brighter Christmas this year. We currently have approximately 50 families awaiting sponsorship: learn how to become a sponsor here. Thank you for making a difference.
Comments