Making Xmas Bright!
Volunteers spread joy to domestic abuse shelter residents
Christmas will be festive for the women and children residing at Rose Brooks Center in Kansas City. Hundreds of generous people have collaborated to make it happen. There are gifts for the residents of the domestic violence shelter, festively decorated by shelter staff. The kids got their pictures taken with Santa who paid a visit during one of several holiday parties. Moms are wrapping gifts for their children donated at the shelter’s annual Holiday Store. And the residents will be treated to a special Christmas Eve meal sponsored, prepared and served by volunteers.
It makes such a difference to the women and children displaced by domestic violence, says Annie Struby, the shelter’s community safety assessment coordinator.
“Among the kids, the Christmas excitement is contagious,” she says. “They may have concerns, but kids are so resilient, so adaptable. With all the Christmas activity by the staff and volunteers to make this time of year really special, for the kids it’s still an exciting and special time. It makes the moms happy, too, seeing their children safe and excited and able to enjoy Christmas.”
Throughout December, volunteers operated the Holiday Store at Ward Parkway Shopping Center, taking donations of new, unwrapped gift items. They sorted the donations and transported them to Rose Brooks where moms selected a gift appropriate for their children and wrapped them.
“They know their kids best,” Struby says, “and then the gift comes from mom, not Rose Brooks so they feel they can provide their children a Christmas gift.”
Various service organizations, individuals, private donors and businesses sponsor holiday parties at the shelter and the Christmas Eve holiday meal. Volunteers appear as Santa and volunteer photographers record each child’s visit with him for a lasting memento. They wouldn’t otherwise have a picture with Santa.
“We have a lot of great volunteers who come in before Christmas and do holiday parties for the women and children in the shelter,” Struby says.
Throughout the rest of the year, too, groups and volunteers organize weekend parties and activities for the shelter residents.
“It’s really nice when the weather’s bad or when it’s not safe for the moms and kids to go out,” Struby says.
Saturday night, the moms and their kids from infants to teenagers will enjoy a Christmas Eve meal of ham, turkey, mashed potatoes and green beans, prepared and served by volunteers. Volunteers will also be providing New Year’s dinner.
“We have great volunteers; we rely on them a lot,” Struby says.
The Holiday Store has closed, but it isn’t too late to donate a new, unwrapped gift. The shelter gives a new stuffed animal to kids when they come into the shelter and celebrates their birthdays with a gift. For more information about donating a gift or volunteering, call Joan Dougherty, the volunteer and community support director at 816-605-7121 in English or Spanish.
“We welcome volunteers and gifts,” Struby says.
Rose Brooks Center (online www.rosebrooks.org/) is a 37-year-old 100-bed shelter for women and children who have fled dangerous, often life-threatening domestic situations. It’s one of the area’s largest emergency shelters and was the first in 2012 to accept pets.
Rose Brooks Holiday Store Gift List
For Children and Teens Target, Wal-Mart, iTunes, GenX Gift Cards Movie Passes Cameras MP3 Players Hooded Sweatshirts for All Ages Non-violent Toys for All Ages Dolls and Stuffed Animals Videos (English and Spanish) Sports Equipment Billfolds and Purses for Teens Watches for Children and Teens Nail Polish Kits Axe Gift Sets Art Supplies and Craft Kits For Women Nightgowns, Robes, Slippers Curling Irons, Blow Dryers Bath Gel, Body Lotion,
Alarm Clocks, Gift Sets Journals, Date Books For Four-Legged Friends Wet Cat and Dog Food Toys for Cats and Dogs Moist Treats Collars and Leashes For Keeping the Family Warm Children’s Coats, Hats, Gloves, and Mittens Women’s Coats Pajamas for Women and Children Socks and Underwear for Women and Children Blankets, Sheets, and Pillows For the Home Towels and Washcloths Full-size Shampoo and Conditioner Feminine Products Baby Shampoo, Lotion, Body Wash, and Baby Oil Canned Fruits and Vegetables Cereal and Breakfast Bars Coffee, Tea, and Cocoa Mix Cleaning Supplies
