Generous “Holiday Angels” needed for Saint Charles Crisis Nursery’s Holiday Hearts Program
November 22, 2010
ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI -- Businesses, families, individuals and community organizations can become “Holiday Angels” by sponsoring a family through the Saint Charles Crisis Nursery’s annual Holiday Hearts program. Each year, Holiday Angels brighten the holidays for more than 800 St. Louis-area children and their families who are currently involved in Crisis Nursery follow-up programs disadvantaged families with children.
“Holiday Angels can choose the size family they want to sponsor, and we’ll give them a personalized wish list and explanation of the family’s situation,” said Crisis Nursery CEO DiAnne Mueller. Wish lists often include clothing, toys and other items for the children. Holiday Angels are encouraged to shop from the wish list, but they also can come up with their own ideas.
Crisis Nursery asks the parents to explain in writing why they would like their family to be adopted for the holidays, and the children create their own wish lists. They also ask parents to list their family’s needs by priority.
“The number one priority on parents’ wish lists last year was food, and we expect to see the same wish this year,” said Mueller. “Rarely do the parents list their own personal wishes, but Holiday Angels usually provide something special for the parents too.”
As another option, Holiday Angels can shop from the year-round Crisis Nursery wish list, available at www.crisisnurserykids.org, or they can make monetary donations to fulfill the wishes of families not paired with Holiday Angels.
“Inevitably, a few children have to stay overnight at the Nursery throughout the holiday season,” Mueller said. “So any new toys and items donated for the ongoing wish list provide holiday gifts that we can give to those children.”
The Saint Charles Crisis Nursery, committed to the prevention of child abuse and neglect, is an independent, not-for-profit agency that provides a short-term, safe haven for children ages birth through 12 whose families are faced with an emergency or crisis. Located at three sites in Saint Charles County, the Saint Charles Crisis Nursery serves 3,000 children a year, providing 24-hour care, 365 days a year. The Saint Charles Crisis Nursery 24-hour helpline is 636-947-0600. Celebrating its 18th year of caring for children, the Crisis Nurseries of St. Charles have been a safe haven to more than 19,000 children, and have provided support and counseling to more than 19,800 families in St. Charles County and surrounding counties. For details, call (636) 947-0600 or visit www.crisisnurserykids.org.
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