United Way member agencies around Monroe, Owen, and Greene counties are setting out to make sure everyone has a great holiday season. One such agency is Area 10 Agency on Aging. Area 10 is coordinating with several churches and businesses to pull together gift bags for homebound older adults and residents in their affordable housing. They have been collecting handmade holiday cards from various volunteers to include along with a gift bag for each homebound individual whom they deliver groceries to through their Mobile Food Pantry. Pictured above is Chandler, a 13 year old, who volunteered with Area 10 Agency on Aging to put together holiday gift bags for homebound older adults in Monroe and Owen Counties

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Another member agency making the holidays special is PALS. This year was the 1st annual Christmas with the Ponies event, where activities included photos with a PALS horse, pony rides, hot chocolate and Christmas cookies, arts and crafts, and a Christmas movie. Not only was every PALS client invited but so was the entire community. Congratulations on a successful start to what will hopefully be a great opportunity for the community to learn about PALS while celebrating the season!

 

Boys and Girls Clubs of Bloomington helped make the season bright for their members. At Thanksgiving they hosted their annual dinner, which was attended by over 100 families from all three club sites. Each family received a brand new board game to support family bonding. Additionally, they are once again inviting community members to step up to adopt club families and purchase gifts for them based on wish lists that were shared.  Twenty-seven families will receive gifts this year, wrapped by volunteers from the Boys and Girls Club.

 

The Salvation Army's longstanding holiday program accepted applications from families in need of Christmas clothing and toys for children 13 and younger in late October and early November.  358 families will have their holidays brightened through their “Angel Tree” program. They are also offering a Last Chance Christmas on Dec. 20th from 10 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. for families who did not sign up with any other agency and are still in need of gifts for their children.  These gift items will come from the Bloomington Transit and WCLS Stuff a Bus collection. 

 

The Rise Youth Programs at Middle Way House has several holiday events for their families.  They host a holiday party for children, moms, and their families that provides an opportunity to celebrate with the youth program staff. They also encourage kids to help out in the community and earn stars. Then, each youth gets to pick a gift for siblings and their mom, which volunteers help them wrap. Each family receives a gift, but with the emphasis being on giving, rather than receiving. 

 

They also coordinate with a few groups to help provide additional support to the families during the holiday season. A partnership with Cardinal Stage brings families to see the Holiday play at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater, making sure that moms and children experience the excitement of live theater. 

 

United Way is proud to partner with each of our member agencies who ensure that people in our community have a brighter year and holiday season. Your support helps to make all of this possible.