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The Yen and Yang of Christmas
By Meral Prewitt

Continued from page 1

With the help of continued support from friends in the contact furniture and design business and spear headed  by Pat Mackenzie Thompson, a gift drive was conducted which spanned across the state and provided a remarkable number of valuable gifts for over 250 children in Bridgeport, New Haven and Hartford.   This was the eighth year Ms. Thompson has chosen Covenant to Care for Children to support over the holidays.

Bob’s stores provided numerous new, free beds and many teens received expensive gifts they never thought possible from individual donors who gave I-Pods, digital cameras, Timberland Boots, and several families who had been burned out by fire were completely taken care of before Christmas.

Many Boy Scout Troops, elementary school children, individual donors, and participat- ing congregation members came forward all during December with gifts and gift cards for hundreds and hundreds of children in my region.   Bob Edwards from Cub Scout Pack 167 in Trumbull delivered over 30 wrapped gift boxes for girls and boys ages 5 to pre-teen and most of them included gift cards of $20 or more to FYE, Kohl’s Target, etc.  St. James RCC in Stratford Cub Scout Pack 75 provided 38 wrapped gift boxes filled with toys and gift cards of $20-$25 in value.  Scout leader, Christine Duffy said, “Our boys range in ages 6 - 12.

The boys were asked to shop and provide a fun gift box of games, toys, and/or necessities for children their age who are in need.  In some cases, the boys spent their allowances on the gifts.  This was a rewarding project for all who participated.”

Weebelos and Cub Scouts donated gifts and decorated gift boxes for children

Congregations were loaded with toys and gift cards as their liaisons had started collecting early for the holidays and they continued to have an outpouring of gifts until the 22^nd of December for children who were not on anyone’s list due to new cases or unmatched social workers’ requests.  First Congregational Church of Stratford had such an abundance of gifts for their two adopted Bridgeport social workers, they offered toys to a Stamford worker as well.

A surprise donation of at least 28 gift bags for children came from the third grade class at St. James School in Stratford that was coordinated by Mrs. Janine Kybuz and delivered to me by Tammy Trojanowsky.   These were distributed to children who had entered the system after Christmas lists had already been submitted to churches.  The social workers said they were relieved to have these wonderful gifts for these young children as they had no resources for them otherwise. Also, just before the schools were dismissed for the holidays, Christine Marks, a 3^rd and 4^th grade teacher at Wilcoxin Elementary School in Stratford  organized children at the school to gather almost 250 new hats, mittens, and scarves.  Almost at the same moment, a social worker received a new case of four young sisters, ages 5, 4, 3 and 2 whose lives were in danger and had to be removed from their home.  The three year old asked the social worker if Santa would know where to find her.   It was gratifying that I was able to give the social worker two new sets each of these beautiful matching hats and mittens plus a gift card each provided by the scouts.  I received this email from social worker, Lanette Gaines: “Meral, You give life to the reason for the season everyday.  ‘Thank You’ does not seem to be enough.  Thank You for being his disciple and keeping the promise to care for his sheep.”

Another emergency request was answered when an individual donor provided gift cards to Radio Shack which were used to purchase computer equipment needed for a teen when she was placed in foster care over the holidays and yet another emergency request was answered by Med 3000 doctors and staff for a microwave needed by a mom of three escaping an abusive marriage.

A special Christmas for two families was given by members of Walnut Hill Community Church in Bethel in addition to the many gifts they provided their adopted DCF Danbury social worker.  The two families of six children combined were overwhelmed with emotion as they were touched by the kindness of people from this congregation who answered their Christmas wishes.

This year, one unique, last minute request came from Casey Family Services social workers for a party for two teens that had been “in the system” their entire lives and had never had an actual birthday party.  Word went out and a donor provided a digital camera as a birthday present for both teens, and with the help of funds received from First Presbyterian of Fairfield, Med 3000 and the doctors and staff of PriMed and with funds collected at Kubic, Jason and Prozac a PR firm in Stratford, each teen held their own skating party inviting ten friends to share refreshments and the infamous Birthday cake.

I know there were many more of you who contributed in a special way to children with expensive gifts of suitcases, bikes, and gift cards that made the holidays special for children of all ages.  Every year I am impressed by the outpouring of goodness all around me that off sets the miserable stories I hear about children who are displaced, forgotten, abused, and poor.  Without your dedication and commitment the holidays just wouldn’t be enjoyable for many children.  My mention of you here is but a small token of gratitude for a job well done by you all! 

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