The Beacon House / Family Promise Toy Project 2022

Dear Fr. Benjamin Thomas, the Vestry and Parishioners, and Christa,

We would like to express our deepest appreciation for the use of your basement for the Family Promise/Beacon House Christmas Toy and Gift distribution. Your Bell Tower turn around area was perfect for people who had many bags. They could pull in and pick-up their gifts! In addition, Newman Parish, University Lutheran, Peace Lutheran, and the YMCA also partnered together.

We were able to return to our pre-Covid model for the toy and gift distribution. Rather than volunteers filling the Christmas orders for families, parent/s “shopped” for the toys and gifts themselves. Many commented on how difficult this year has been for them and their family!

Family Promise of the Chippewa Valley/Beacon House staff purchased gifts with community donations. Toys were also received from the Festival of Toys on December 7-9 and Midwest Family Broadcasting (98.1) with John Murphy. Dozens of community sponsors were involved. The generosity of people was overwhelming! We were grateful for all of the donations. Children, once again, received toys, gifts, books, games, puzzles, sporting items, stuffed animals and clothing. We provided wrapping paper, tape, and batteries for toys as needed and gift cards for teenagers. The parents were very appreciative!!! This year 48 families and 140 children benefited from the program.

We appreciated having access to your space through trusting us with keys. The elevator was a tremendous help. It was also very handy for the Family Promise/Beacon House staff and clients to have the toy/gift give away right across the street.
Our deep gratitude goes to Christa who is absolutely wonderful to work with! We hope you continue to feel better! All of the staff have been so accommodating and welcoming of this project!!! Please extent a special thank you to your custodian for his labor with the table set up and take down. We know that it was a lot of work to haul and set up all the tables!

Overall, whole project went well from start to finish. In January, we will meet with Family Promise of Chippewa Valley/Beacon House staff to discuss any changes for next year. Please let us know if you have any suggestions or comments.

We are sending you wishes for a joy filled Christmas season and a blessed 2023!

With gratitude,
Laurie Hittman, Lou Hoeschen, Suzie Slota, Carol Gorzek and Julie Bollinger