Josiah White’s celebrated Christmas in a variety of ways across our programs this year with the support of several generous churches and community members! Read on to learn more about how the holiday was celebrated throughout the state!
Logansport Church of the Brethren covered the cost of stockings and stocking stuffers for all the teens on Josiah White’s campus. The teens in our Residential and Recovery Services programs were each given their own stocking to decorate. Josiah White’s leadership teams worked together to stuff the stockings with gift cards, candy, socks, and toiletries. After a special Christmas chapel, the Residential students and staff enjoyed time together over dozens of cookies provided by staff members. The students received their full stockings back at their cottages later that evening.
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Recovery Services staff hosted a special Christmas meal and gave out presents to the teens in their program on December 20th.
Each cottage in Residential Services was also sponsored by a church. LaFontaine Christian Church made a meal for the cottage they sponsored and bought each student a laundry basket full of gifts like games, candy, and clothing based on their individual interests.
Each regional foster care office hosted a Christmas party for their foster families.
The Wabash office had 90 people attend their party at a roller rink and had a professional photographer there to take family Christmas photos as well as photos with Santa.
The Indianapolis and Greenwood offices had their party at a bowling alley and arcade, and foster parents and children were able to enjoy an hour of bowling, a game of laser tag, and time in the arcade. They also had Cornerstone Lutheran Church’s Comfort Dog, Magdalene, in attendance.
Josiah White’s Fort Wayne office hosted a Chili Cook-Off between foster parents and staff at a recreation center that offers several activities including bowling. There was also an opportunity to take photos with Santa.
Southlake Church of the Nazarene in Crown Point, IN, hosted a party for the foster families licensed through Josiah White’s Merrillville office. Church volunteers provided the food, and the foster families enjoyed a photo booth, a bounce house, and a hot chocolate station (also provided by the church).
The South Bend office had their party at Hillside Missionary Church. Josiah White’s staff and foster families celebrated with a gingerbread house decorating contest and family photos with Santa. They also gave each foster family an activity or experience, and each foster parent couple also received a date night gift card.
Josiah White’s staff celebrated at a North Pole themed Christmas party on December 6th. Staff enjoyed pizza and time together while they received their Josiah White’s, Compass Rose Academy, and 50 East branded gifts. A select few staff members braved the challenge of a spaghetti eating contest inspired by the movie, “Elf.” Josiah White’s President and CEO Matthew Purkey claimed the victory by eating his entire plate of spaghetti covered in syrup and M&M’s. There were also various Christmas-themed dress-up days the week of the party including Christmas Movie Character Day, Mad for Plaid Day, and Pajama Day.
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We’re so thankful for the various ways the community has gone above and beyond to support those we serve this holiday season!