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Dear
Friends,
We
haven't been able to edit the website to change the
fall letter until
now but I thought I'd put the December letter in anyway
so you could get a glimpse of the holidays at New Generation......
Words
cannot capture the scene I just witnessed. I just spent
some time watching the children in the daycare decorating
their tree. Each child was given their own special handmade
ornament. They were sitting two or three of them on
each staff person's lap, music was playing, some were
singing about Santa, some were dancing to the music.
Pictures were being taken. At one point, each one put
their ornament on the tree. The sense of joy and wonder
as they looked up at what they had created was something
to behold. On the other side of the house in the shelter,
the tree donated by Flora Ventures arrived yesterday.
Dave Duggan, our incredible handyman put up the tree
and when I arrived at work this morning it was alive
and sparkling with lights, balls and tinsel courtesy
of our residents. The women are planning a baking day
so they can give cookies as gifts. A woman who never
made a pie in her life spent the afternoon baking an
apple and cherry pie.
We
are gearing up for our Residents' Holiday Party, when
staff provide hors d'oeuvres and distribute the gifts
from Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal and St. Thomas
More churches. This year, we are holding a “Toys for
Tots” Open House for former and current residents. Refreshments
will be served and Santa will be here to visit with
the children. We have already received many positive
responses.
William Berry and
Co. has already graced us with a new dishwasher
for
Christmas. St. Christopher's of York , Maine has donated
baby gifts and maternity clothes all beautifully wrapped
to be given throughout the year. The Public Defender's
Office of Exeter and the Buyer's Brokers of the Seacoast
are doing collections for us.
Second
Generation Thrift Shoppe recently participated in the
Sacred Heart Christmas Fair where they made holiday
gifts and decorations available at good prices. They
continue to provide an inexpensive source of gifts for
the holidays.
We
feel so blessed and overwhelmed by the generosity of
the many people and organizations who show their love
and support for our women and their children. I hope
I have provided you with a glimpse of life at New Generation
during the holidays. I wish you a joyous and peace-filled
holiday season.
Warmly,
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