Walking around the Cunningham campus it’s obvious the holiday season is here.

Volunteers are busy wrapping presents for our kids. Students at our two schools have visited a special “holiday shop” set up inside the Spiritual Life Center, to choose presents for their loved ones.

Earlier in the month, our chaplain transformed the Spiritual Life Center into the city of Bethlehem, including a town center filled with craft projects and holiday treats, and a special nativity set up in a peaceful corner room. Christmas trees, wreaths, and donated hand-made decorations brighten our residential cottages, group homes, and transitional living house.

The generosity of our local community, United Methodist Women, and caring groups and individuals makes it possible for our kids to know Christmas as a time of hope, wonder, and joy. Despite the pain they may have known in the past, our kids eagerly await a visit from Santa. They sing Christmas carols and bring treats to the staff. And they peer curiously at the car-loads of gifts that arrive each day.

Like anyone, Cunningham kids experience emotional highs and lows—excitement and disappointment during the holiday season. Cunningham staff view this as a challenging time for the kids, but also a time filled with opportunities for building trust and supporting healing as feelings rise to the surface.

Some Cunningham kids will spend Christmas at home with their family or foster family. But within each of the cottages there are a few youth who won’t be able to go home for the holidays. Still, Santa always finds them and leaves them special gifts under their cottage Christmas tree. Staff plan special activities for those who spend Christmas at Cunningham, like having a nice dinner, baking cookies, opening up presents, watching Christmas movies, and allowing them to sleep in late.

Staff member John Wegerzyn explains, “It’s a really rewarding time. It’s harder, but worth it. It’s one time of year when the kids are more likely to open up and really talk about what’s hurting them.”

We thank all those who have contributed gifts, gift cards, and money to make Christmas at Cunningham very special. If you would like more information on ways to help Cunningham kids, read more on our giving pages.

Merry Christmas from Cunningham Children’s Home!