Holiday Happenings
Many people helped to make the Holidays bright for program participants. Queen of Martyrs Parish supplied gifts for residents and gifts to be given to their children. St. Martin’s Episcopal Church and Resurrection United Methodist Church gifted Grace House women. Christ Church (Winnetka) spread cheer at all three residential programs. “Uncle” Pete Zonsius provided new Christmas robes for GH residents. St. John’s Brotherhood of St. Andrew created gift boxes for SLH residents that included a nice supply of cosmetics. Susie Dunphy shopped wisely for SLH residents. And it wouldn’t be Christmas without Pam and David Waud’s sweat shirt presents, all beautifully wrapped, for the men of St. Leonard’s. Many other kind and thoughtful individuals sent along gift items for Christmas that helped to lift the spirits of program participants. Volunteers began coming at Thanksgiving and remained present through the New Year. A raft of friends served the Thanksgiving meal, making it a real dining experience. The choral group from Regina Dominican High School came for a December concert that staff and residents alike enjoyed. This marked the 15th year that Regina girls have come to St. Leonard’s at Christmas time – a real tradition! On Christmas Day itself, the Farnandis Family again joined us to provide live renditions of Christmas carols while residents enjoyed their celebratory meal. The 2011 Holidays surely provided SLM’s men and women with all the trappings of the media’s idea of Christmas. This left room in residents’ lives for a focus on the real meaning of the Holidays and making plans for a positive New Year.
