Mental Health America Aiken County
December 2011
In This Issue
Operation Santa Brings Smiles
Home For Christmas

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     Learn about      Operation Santa
 
Nurture Home Panel
   Learn about    Nurture Home

 

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Welcome Baby

   
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Angels played an important role in the Christmas story and many people believe they're among us every day...are you one of those angels? This season influences us to be "angels", to show kindness as we rush around in the "busy-ness" of the season. The good news is: kindness and giving actually help reduce holiday stress. The holiday season can be difficult for those who are struggling with loss, financial hardship, our family illness. It's an opportunity for each of us to look beyond ourselves and to remember the words of Plato: "Be kind for everyone is fighting a hard battle." 
 

Operation Santa Brings Smiles 

 

Santa Len
View photo album on FB

 

The yearly tradition, which has gone on now for nearly 25 years, is aimed at providing mentally disabled adults in the community with a special Christmas event to remember, said Lisa Tindal,

MHA of Aiken executive director...

Read the entire story in the Aiken Standard... 

 

This event would not be a success without the continued support from our community. We wish to extend our heartfelt appreciation to the citizens of Aiken County including: United Way of Aiken, members of our Board of Directors, MHAAC Staff & NH residents, Women of Woodside, employees of SRS & SRNS, employees of Aurora Pavilion Behavioral Health, Outpatient Services and the Senior Team of Aiken Regional Medical Centers, Ladies of the Trees, students of Aiken High (Culinary Arts Dept) & faculty members (especially Jean Gorthy & Linda Harmon), Houndslake Country Club & Jeff Howell, Sylvia Creed & the Womens Missionary Union (1st Baptist Church of Vaucluse), Pepperidge Farm of Aiken, Kroger,  Jean Ferguson & her grandson Chris, and of course, Santa (Len Engle, of USCA) and his little elf Ashley Williams. Many donations were received to help make this event a success, including a donation  presented to MHAAC by the Non-Profit Committee of UPS. The list of "Operation Santa Helpers" grows each year.  Thank you all!     

 
Home for Christmas 
 
We're fortunate in a way
that many families are not.

My work through Nurture Home, a transitional homeless shelter for women and children, keeps me humbled, grateful and enlightened.

According to the National Center for Family Homelessness, 42 percent of children who are homeless are under age five. Homeless families are most often headed by single mothers in their 20s and 92 percent of these single mothers are victims of domestic violence. 
 
Nurture Home was gifted recently with a grant from the Verizon Foundation for $7,965. Through its Domestic Violence Prevention Grant, this foundation recognizes programs that are innovative in their approach to preventing domestic violence... 
 
 

 We join our partner United Way agencies as well as our entire community as we mourn the tragic loss of Master PSO Scotty Richardson. I've said many times, Aiken is a community of caring. As we end 2011 on this sad note, I am confident we as a community of support will be stronger, kinder, and more aware of the needs of others.

 

 

Wishing you a joyous Christmas season and a Happy New Year!

 

 

Lisa Tindal
Mental Health America Aiken County