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Christmas Joy Brought by the Bannerman Family and Friends
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For many of us, the Christmas celebration isn't complete without family gatherings, turkey dinner and a few presents. After the Bannerman Family experienced the heartache of losing brothers John and Patrick in a tragic car accident, they decided to commit their Christmas celebrations to helping others enjoy the season. This year was their 3rd Annual Bannerman Christmas Dinner at Brenda's House, hosted for families in residence, and some previously in residence.
After months of planning, the Bannerman family and 30 volunteers showed up to make it an evening to remember. They brought along Santa, had musical entertainment, did crafts, and had a balloon sculptor making balloon animals for the kids. When that was all done, they began serving turkey dinner complete with all the trimmings and presents for everyone in attendance. There were backpacks for each adult and child, movies passes, gift cards and bus passes for family outings and more. These tireless volunteers also stuffed 400 pairs of socks with necessities like toothbrushes - which means there's plenty left behind for clients throughout the year.
"Thank you for your love, time and smiles" said one resident. "Thank you for a Christmas party. We really appreciated it", said another. Comments like these and of "amazing night", "generous gifts" and "great hospitality" were heard again and again.
We would like to thank the Bannerman family and all the volunteers and donors for taking time to ensure families at Brenda's House were able to get into the holiday spirit!
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How You Helped
| Generous donations from individuals and groups around our city ensured that every child at the Crisis Nursery received a present this year. As well, every man, woman and child in Brenda's House had a Christmas present and we were able to provide presents to many supported
through our Healthy Families and
Community Respite programs.
Crisis Nurseries
40 families and 80 children
Brenda's House
14 families and 30 children
Respite Programs
20 children and 30 moms
Healthy Families Program
22 families and 49 children
Additionally, we have many items
to help us serve families well
into the New Year.
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Text to Donate
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It's even easier to give! You can TEXT-TO-DONATE from you cell phone. Just text KIDS to 20222 and you can give the Cottage an easy $10 donation (details on our website).
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Tour The Nursery
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Are you interested in seeing
first-hand what the
Crisis Nursery looks like?
For a free tour, contact fundraising@childrenscottage.ab.ca.
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Text to Donate
| Text the word KIDS to 20222
and you can donate $10 to
the Children's Cottage.
For more information on how this works, visit our website at www.childrenscottage.ab.ca. |
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Stay In Touch |  |
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We are so grateful
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We had so many families express their gratitude this season to the staff who helped them select presents for the children (or the children for their parents!). Repeatedly, we heard the story that money was tight and they didn't think they would be able to buy presents for their children this year. We want to share a few with you, our donors, because it is really you who made the smiles on their faces possible.
A mom at the Crisis Nursery said: "Thank you for helping to make our Christmas wonderful! Children are enjoying their gifts. Best wishes for the new year!"
A teenage boy at Brenda's House accustomed to wearing baseball hats and baggy clothes saw a donation of stylish, gently used teenage "dressier" clothing and wanted to take them all saying he "wanted to look more professional". Staff saw him cruising around the house looking confident in his new threads and thought maybe there would be a job on the horizon for him now that he had interview appropriate clothing.
A parent from the Crisis Nursery said the presents she was able to bring home would bring so much laughter, joy and excitement to her four children this year. "It is going to be the best Christmas ever. I can hardly wait to see their expressions Christmas morning."
A young boy went into the "Little Elves Workshop" at Brenda's House and found a brand new, full length coat up for grabs. He was so excited to give it to his mom that she came down to breakfast beaming with joy and wearing her new gift.
So many donors called in December asking us what we really needed, what wishes had been fulfilled and what was still needed. Then they went shopping, called their friends to do the same, loaded their cars and dropped of gift certificates, presents, diapers, formula, clothes and more. It was a busy month and we could not have put smiles on so many faces without the help of each donor, group of friends, workplace fundraiser and every other person or group who supported our clients this holiday season.
 | Our friend Gail delivering wish list items
collected by her family and friends. |
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Santa even finds you at the Cottage
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A six year old girl needed to stay at the Cottage over Christmas. She was very sad because she was now not able to spend Christmas with her siblings and Grandma as was previously planned. She was also very worried she would not receive anything for Christmas. Throughout the weekend, she ate very little and was quite reserved. Staff members encouraged her to write a letter to Santa and she did. On Christmas Eve, Patty Kilgallon, CCS Executive Director, came to the Cottage and happened to meet this beautiful little girl who showed her the letter for Santa. Patty took the letter and mailed it right away. That same afternoon, Santa visited the Cottage and gave this girl one of the items she had asked him for and she was overjoyed that Santa made her wishes come true! He even mailed her back a letter. She had a wonderful Christmas at the Cottage - and she even began to enjoy eating again once her faith was restored in Santa's ability to find her.
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Family Celebration Encouraged at Brenda's House
| | Many families staying at Brenda's House this holiday season were new to the custom of Christmas while others were unsure how merry the season would be without their own home to celebrate in. At the end of it all, we're pretty sure everyone will mark this as a Christmas to remember.
Celebrations began early in December with "The Great Snowman Challenge" in which families "got in the spirit" with activities such as snow soccer, stringing garland, and other holiday traditions. Staff regularly heard how nice it was to have family quality time together. The event helped create a sense of unity and gratitude within the house that made many of the other events much more special.
Leading up to Christmas, staff created Santa's Workshop where parents shopped for gifts for their kids from all the donations that were received. Similarly, kids were invited into the Little Elves' Workshop where they were able to select gifts for their parents. The excitement in the household was palpable and kept building throughout the season as we had pancake breakfasts, movie marathons, Wii marathons and many art and craft activities, from building marshmallow snowmen to decorating cookies.
The most wonderful outcome of all the planning, activities and hard work of donors, volunteers and staff was the sense of togetherness felt throughout the house during December. There was team work, collaboration, kindness and an amazing sense of community between staff, families and volunteers. What a wonderful season to share with friends and family.
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