Friday, December 19, 2008

A Merry Christmas for Children at Partners for Families




On Thursday, December 18th it was a time of family, fun, music, food and gifts donated by Toys for Tots! Children and their families enjoyed a festive night providing even the parents/guardians a chance to sit back and enjoy watching their children smile, laugh and sing as they participated in the evening festivities. Activities included decorating Christmas cookies donated by Mrs. Fields Cookies, King of Prussia Mall, watching the Christmas play by Church of Christ DramaKids, Norristown, singing Christmas Carols and listening to the Christmas Storytelling reading. Over 150 toys were given to the children. This year was a unique opportunity come along side families from our Monday Night Basketball program, and our partnership with the Hospitality Center and CHOC homeless shelter. The greatest blessing this year was the opportunity to partner with "In His Eyes Ministries" a Prison Ministry for Women. We were able to bless the children of mothers who are in prison by providing their children a special Christmas of their own in a safe, fun-loving environment! A special thanks to Carla Clannigan, Director of "In His Eyes Ministries" who provided these special family contacts.

Again, a special thanks to Chick-fil'a in Audubon for the dinners and Toys for Tots for all the wonderful presents! Thanks Pastor Frank McKienzie for the KidsDrama by Church of Christ in Norristown, Basketball coaches, Bill Borgard, Rick Sterley, George Aspinal, Storehouse Church, Norristown Foursquare Church, Fairview Village Smores Singers, and many others who helped make this event possible!
The most special part of the whole program was after the Christmas story-time reading by Tracey Akamine, to witness 15+ children coming up to ask Jesus Christ in their hearts! It is the very "Reason for the Season" and the greatest "Gift" that will last forever!