Twenty-eight families donated 44 stockings and 64 gift bags of personal care items to the Shephard's Cove Women and Children Shelter. On Monday December 20th, 14 families from Cheverly helped to spread the cheer. Here is a collection of thoughts from the day:

From Lisa L. (Event Organizer)
We are just getting back from the Holiday Party at Shepherd's Cove and I just wanted to thank you all. I thought that it was a very good party - the kids really enjoyed decorating cookies and the women (lead by some wonderful Cheverly singers) enjoyed singing the Christmas Carols. They all appreciated the great stockings and toiletry bags!! Many of the kids from Shepherd's Cove gave hugs to many of the Kid's Care parents and kids. I went upstairs after the party to leave a few extra items at the office. I saw many of the items that we had just given them being put to use already. Wow, it really hit home for me that what I take for granted everyday (like a little packet of tissues, etc) brought smiles to their faces. So, I just wanted to say thanks for creating real holiday cheer :>) THANK YOU to those who helped organize this event, those who helped at the party, and all those who filled stockings and toiletry bags!!

From Amie K. (Rabecca's Mom)
A co-worker's daughter and grandchild lived at this shelter for a period of time after leaving an abusive husband. When my co-worker went home with the news of this project, her daughter remembered the generosity she received when she was there and was overjoyed that she could now give back to the place that helped her during an extremely difficult and challenging time in her life. Know that what you are doing is making a difference!

Kimberly S.
Kimberly said after stuffing her stocking contribution, "I think a little girl will really like this. My heart feels so big!"

Devin F.
When Devin was putting together the stocking and gift he picked out for the boy at the shelter, in response to why he was doing this and how he felt, he said: "I like to share and my heart feels good! I feel like the boy will be happy."

Damani M. and his mom
As Christmas is a time of giving and selflessness, I thought it the perfect time to involve Damani in a charitable project involving other families; particularly children. We take so much for granted and some of those values are sometimes imposed on our children. Many times it is necessary to step back and really appreciate what we have as well as seek to help others, while instilling the importance of sharing and caring within our children.

The December Kids Care project at the Shepherd Cove shelter provided just such an opportunity for this. It was wonderful to see the light in the eyes of both the Shepherd's Cove and Cheverly children as they decorated cookies, fellowshipped with each other and buzzed with excitement about Christmas. The parents as well were equally excited, both residents and volunteers.

When I asked Damani how he felt about the entire experience, he said, "I felt good giving gifts to the children and the parents because it was nice."

From Jolene I. (Kids Care Club Mom)
Great job, Lisa! I wanted you to know that one of the several women who stopped me to thank us told me that she hadn't seen the kids have such a good time since being at the shelter! On the way out I was making small talk with her about how cold it was outside, and how I was dreading going out into it. She pointed out that at least I had a home to go to, which was a point well taken. (It was still cold out, but I couldn't complain anymore!)

Aaron was especially excited about choosing the gifts, although I had to keep reminding him that they weren't for him. Ours was the last stocking that needed a boy, and Aaron took it from "Santa," and we went around the room til we found a boy about Aaron's age who wanted a stocking. Aaron was happy to give it, and the two boys ran around playing together for a while before we left. Under different circumstances I would have found the mom and invited him over to play another day!

Also, when we started passing out the stockings to the women, they were so surprised that they were getting something for themselves! The first few women were sort of incredulous -- "For ME? Are you sure this is for ME??!"

Mary A. (Kids Care Club Co-coordinator)
I loved the seeing the children having so much fun, but what really touched my heart was those women who led everyone in such joyful singing.