Wonderful, Amazing, Awesome, there just aren't enough words to describe the outpouring of love, caring, gifts, food, and support during the past weeks!
This Christmas was even better than any of the previous ones that I have been here to enjoy. Thank you from the bottom of all of our hearts to all of the people who had a part in this wonderful celebration!
Each year we seem to grow in numbers so our location for the "Big Party" has to be picked with great care. Jaime, Bridgeway's staff assistant, skillfully and thoughtfully took charge of picking the location, organizing incoming gifts, wrapping sessions, distributions and dodging headaches!
The "Big Party" has now grown to be about 200 to 250 moms, dads, and children, plus volunteers to keep it going! We invite all of the former residents that we can get in touch with, and they look forward to the event each year. This year the party was supported by and held at the Knights of Columbus Council 4844 hall in Denver. Even the seams of that large building were bursting! The women of the Knights of Columbus worked hard to set up, provide food for all of those hungry moms and children, and clean up at the end of a memorable evening.
There was face painting, gifts, cookies, Santa's Secret Shop, food, balloon animals, Santa, more cookies, and there was even a big Piņata for the enjoyment of everyone. The men not only worked by setting up tables, helping moms with their children, and cleaning up, but they also assisted financially, and purchased, or gave us the funds to purchase, many last minute gifts. This party was wonderful and we are enormously grateful to everyone who was part of it.
Several churches, organizations, and individuals donated wonderful gifts, food, and money for this party and from the joy we saw on the faces of the moms, dads, and children, it was all a huge success. One of the many unsung heroes of this event is always the gift wrapper. We were so fortunate to have the talents of many! Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!
As you will read elsewhere in this newsletter, we are now in full swing of activity related to our annual fundraiser. I would encourage you to attend if you can, as well as get involved in the preparation for this event. Please call us at the office if you are interested.
The next Volunteer Orientation will be held on January 17, 2004, and I would love to meet even more of you at that time.
Many thanks, again, to every one of you who help make Bridgeway a warm, inviting, home and extended family to many young women and their children.