Annual Adult Gift Drive  – Wish Lists Fulfilled for 113 Adults in the Care of the State

This was the twenty-fourth year of a gift giving tradition that began in 2002 to connect church members and friends with adults in the care of the State during the holiday season.  The adults are either elderly or developmentally delayed and their families are unable to care for them.   With the help of their caseworkers, these adults create wish lists of gift ideas.  Church members then pick one of those lists and select one or more gifts from the list to purchase.  Gifts are brought back to the church wrapped and tagged and they are picked up by the caseworkers and delivered to the recipients. 

What began with around 30 adults has now grown to a list of well over 100, many of whom we have been giving gifts to for many years.  This year the generosity of the church has not only given gifts to 113 adults but also provided their caseworkers with hundreds of dollars in gift cards.  These gift cards allow caseworkers to provide for their clients critical needs as they arise during the year. 

This year several church members shared with us at the Community Services table about how much they enjoy this holiday tradition as a part of their own Christmas season.  We also had several children visit the table to select wish lists.  Many church members of varying ages expressed concerns about everyone of the adults getting a gift this year and no one being left out.  It was so gratifying to share with them that through the generosity of church members and friends, we were confident that everyone would get a gift either by those who brought gifts or those who made financial contributions allowing us to shop for the remaining wish lists. 

Julie M. a caseworker who we have worked with for almost a decade shared the following message for our church community.  “We are so very grateful to the church for their generosity, as it truly makes our individuals’ Christmas special.  Y’all truly have no idea how much of a blessing this is for us and our individuals.  Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and everyone at the First Unitarian Church!”