A Community of Compassion

Milestones and Mistletoe

This year marks a milestone for Family & Youth Initiatives as we strengthened our community bonds through our investment in this year's Holiday Toy Run, a 47-year tradition founded by the Medway Highway Hikers Motorcycle Club. Not only has it created a powerful relationship between our two organizations, but cultivated connections with others including Bethel Churches United and Children’s Rescue Center–both of which have worked tirelessly to ensure a Merry Christmas will come to those who need it most. We believe that this collaboration is only the beginning of something beautiful on the horizon–a unified front of organizations banding together to resolve one seemingly endless issue, homes without holiday harmony.  Much like the families in our community, this is something we are invested in, and broadening the scope of this effort creates opportunity for something even greater.

Despite a cold and wet October day that challenged the many Toy Run motorcyclists, the goodwill and spirit of community broke through to another successful ride. Toy donations along with monetary contributions filled our trucks and enriched our minds with the possibilities of what we may be able to give back to families. One donation of note traveled all the way from West Virginia with an overflowing trailer of toys in tow, bearing a resemblance to Santa Claus himself.

This display of communal love and the drive to keep the holiday spirit alive is an inspiring example of why events like these are so crucial to a healthy holiday home. For this reason, we are already discussing plans for the coming year that focus on the positive impact and potential of this event.

A Worthwhile Undertaking

Though we don’t have an exact number of the families served years prior, we are proud to say that this year’s donation signup had reached 1,166 children by the deadline. While it seems like a multitude, through the collected effort of our teams, the work is surmountable and the undertaking is worthwhile. Nevertheless, it should be said that this number truly represents the potential of positive change for our local families. This is where the spirit of giving shifts from theory to practice. 

Over the coming days, families will arrive to collect their gifts from one of our locations and in some small way, we will have the opportunity to see the positive effects we have worked diligently to provide. The households represented through donations have an average of three children, though some may have many more, and some are headed by a single parent. The intention is to not only provide a joy filled Christmas for all children, but also crucial seasonal relief for their guardians. 

The season of giving doesn’t have to end when Christmas does, and if you are ever interested in donating toys or essentials for children, our offices would be more than happy to find them a loving home.

Be Kind Beyond

This year’s Toy Run allowed FYI the opportunity to spread joy to others, but also to focus on what we believe makes a merry Christmas. One of the most meaningful aspects of this season is not what you have, but who you share it with. Yet, there are many who don’t have someone to share their season with, making this time of year feel especially challenging.

If you have anyone in your life you feel may be having a hard time around the holidays, reach out and extend your well wishes or show them you care with even a few kind words expressing your compassion. There are many resources for those struggling with the holiday season and staying aware of them is important for maintaining a happy and healthy community. 

We look forward to continuing our involvement in the Toy Run over the coming years, and with a strong community like ours, we face the future with hope. Take care of one another, be kind beyond the holidays, and keep the love for your community strong in your heart–together, we have even brighter years to come.