Heartwarming Impact of St. Elias Family - A Christmas Celebration
Showcasing the incredible impact of St. Elias Family at their annual Christmas Party for medically fragile children and their families. Through heartfelt generosity, they have brought joy, love, and support to over ONE HUNDRED families, creating unforgettable memories and spreading warmth during the holiday season. Heartfelt testimonials express deep gratitude for the compassion, care, and welcoming spirit shown by the parishioners, making a lasting difference in the lives of those they support. St. Elias Family shines brightly in their dedication to spreading love and joy to those in need.
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Dear St. Elias Family, I wanted to take the time to show you the impact you have made on the families that we have supported for our annual Christmas Party for medically fragile children over the years. We started this project in 2010 making this past year our 10thanniversary! With your help, we have supported over ONE HUNDRED families. Every year, we provide gifts worth $100 for each medically fragile child and each of their siblings, and a $50-$100 Walmart gift card for the parents. More important than the gifts, though, is the love our parishioners (including the children and teens) show these families by providing them food, fun, and fellowship. Here are some of the Thank You notes we have received over the years. As you will see, the impact we make on these families is beyond measure. Thank you all for your support with this heartwarming event.
He took a little child whom he placed among them. Taking the child in his arms, he said to them, Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me. Mark 9:36-37 welcomes me; and
Thank you Thank you to the parishioners of St. Elias for your heartwarming volunteer service for our families with medically fragile kids. It was immediately apparent to me how much love you all put into the Christmas party. For every child, you purchased individual gifts according to what they wanted and needed. You carefully wrapped them all and set them around the beautiful tree. All of the tables were festively decorated and labeled with each family s name. The crafts were fun for the kids, and everyone loved the scrumptious, child-friendly meal and homemade cookies. But the best part of all was your welcome and kindness. You all welcomed our families warmly and sat at their tables, engaging them in conversation and holding their babies. You helped them get their meal and drinks, as well as their presents. And I was blown away by your children! They loved on the FOCUS kids, playing with them and pushing their wheelchairs around. Your children are not afraid of kids that are different. It s no wonder, though, how your children know to give this kind of love. They see it in their parents, aunts, godparents, and greater church family. In short, you all are amazing, and we are so grateful. Your love shines through in every one! Thanks so much for sharing it with our sweet families!! Joy Trotti Associate Executive Director FOCUS + Fragile Kids
Thank you We are beyond grateful for the love St. Elias has for our families. The families enjoyed the fellowship, beautiful decorations, wonderful food, and of course gifts. The families chosen this year have a household income of $25,000 or less. Which as you expect can be difficult in addition to caring for a child with special needs. The gas used to drive between appointments, the parking garage tolls at the doctors offices and the occasional having to get lunch on the road adds up. Your generous gifts really help provide joy to these children and parents. Thank you all so much for loving our precious families. Merry Christmas, Your FOCUS + Fragile Kids Family
The Pierce Family We had a wonderful time at the Christmas party and are beyond thankful for all that focus and the family @ St. Elias gave to us. We talked with everyone and met Judy and her family. They were amazing. We had a great conversation and she was so nice and funny. I would come back just to talk with her and the great people a part of that church. No gifts needed. Even the teenagers were sweet. You can really feel the love they share and spread there. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. I can't wait for Lucas to open his gifts on Christmas morning! (I peeked and they are perfect ) Love and Happy Holidays, The Pierce Family
Williams/Jefferson/Gibson Family Hello FOCUS + Fragile Kids. We want to say thank you so much for choosing our family to bless during this Christmas season. We would like to thank St. Elias church for their love, kindness and the wonderful gifts we received. The Christmas party was amazing, and so was the church family. We can t thank you enough for everything. Thanks to y all, my children will be able to have presents for Christmas. God bless you!!! Sincerely, Williams/Jefferson/Gibson Family
The Williams Family We had the best time! Everyone was so friendly and the chicken tenders were the best. My son loved the crafts girl and the guy who did the beautiful decorations. Because of who you are, Christmas is possible, so thanks to you and God. The Williams Family
The Cossiboon Family Thanks for the invite to the holiday party and for helping our family. My kids loved their gifts and they also could not stop talking about the whole night and asked me when the next party was where they could do the crafts and eat and play with the other kids. They were very happy and thank you for all the help to make their Christmas a good one it does mean a lot and I hope we can pay it forward one day soon. It was nice to be around others that understand the special needs world and forget all the medical troubles, the money troubles, and see other kids get gifts. We all are struggling but had the chance for a night just to leave it behind and have a good time and be uplifted for a moment from the burdens. I am glad we found FOCUS and the good people at St. Elias and for all the opportunities they provide. It was nice not to have to be at the hospital or a Drs office or therapy and to be able to leave the worries behind. The Cossiboon Family
Burch/McIntyre Family St. Elias Church, Me and my family would like to thank each & every one of you for the gifts. We ve had a rough path since the car accident as I m still without a vehicle & cant transport Angel anywhere. So this holiday meant so much to me, as I wasn t able to purchase much for my kids!!! We re ecstatic & the kids have big smiles!!!!!!! Thanks so much & Happy Holidays
The Davis Family Dear St. Elias Church Unfortunately, we were not able to attend the Christmas party but I heard that it was wonderful and glorious event. I am writing this letter to sincerely thank the St. Elias Church for the Christmas gifts that were given to my daughter Maya. She really enjoyed opening her gifts and she was overly excited about all of them. I just want to say from the bottom of our hearts that we really appreciate your kindness and thoughtfulness and making Maya s Christmas full of love, joy and happiness. Again, thank you so much. Your thoughtfulness means so much more than you could ever realize. Warmly, Teresa and Maya Davis
The Walker Family Thank You All so much the Christmas Party was Beautiful and the dinner was delicious Everyone was so nice We felt so welcomed with all the Help and hugs from Everyone Michael was so Happy especially when he saw the Spider-Man tent WOW Thanks to You all He will have an Awesome Christmas GOD Bless. And each Child got to take home their tree that decorated the tables just Beautiful. Sheleah and Michael Walker
The Wood Family Dear St. Elias Family, Words cannot express how much Sunday evening meant to our family! Our kids were blessed beyond measure with wonderful fellowship, crafts and food. The icing on the cake were the amazing gifts they were given- you guys went above and beyond anything we could have dreamed of. The kids have been playing with their new toys nonstop since we got home. Again, thank you so much for your kindness and generosity- the fellowship was amazing! Love, The Wood Family, Wes, Sarah, Asher, Nolan and Caleb
The Mills Family Please pass along our heart filled gratitude of thanks to the St. Elias Orthodox Church for The gifts & dinner for Ayeisa Mills & family. It was a true Blessing to us ... Thank you!
The Moses Family To the Wonderful Blessing of St. Elias, The Moses family wants to thank you from the top to the bottom of our hearts. 2018 was a real tough year for us as you all know. But GOD is all I can say, he used y all and you showed out. Eli was a true delight to Kris he was all he talked about the ride home and my sister and I really enjoyed the company of the adults. Kennedi was treated as the special person she is instead of being ignored or as if she doesn t exist. You all exhibit the Christ Spirit we are supposed to exhibit. It was a pleasure to meet the priest also. We want to thank you so much because the kids were not going to get anything due to our financial situation right now so with a joyous heart and grateful heart thank you, thank you, thank you. May God continue to use you and you all continue to let Him use you as Blessings and the true examples of His Great Love and Kindness. The Moses Family
The Yopp Family St. Elias, Thank you for inviting my family to your Christmas party last weekend. This Christmas would not have been the same without all of your love and support shown to us. We all really enjoyed the fellowship and delicious food that you provided. I can t express enough how thankful we were for every single person that took us in and made us one of y all. My kiddos have loved every single gift they were given. There are no words that can express my gratitude. My family will forever be thankful for you all. Merry Christmas Love the Yopp family-Angela, Emma Grace, Bailey, Jacob and Harley Yopp
Charity and Laiya Grace My family would like to say a huge thanks to the St. Elias church! My daughter is an amazing kiddo. She has overcome so much and reminds me every day what having joy through triumphs look like. She currently has 9 therapy appointments every week. One of the recent therapy toys that her therapists mentioned for me to purchase was a bicycle. With unexpected hospitalizations, countless sick days, and other medical needs, my financial stability fluctuates. As a single parent, getting new items like a bike can be very difficult. Because of your help, Laiya now has a bike that she absolutely loves. She was eyeballing it the entire time we were at the party and she was so excited to learn that it was indeed her gift. Thank you all so much! This Christmas gift is one that she would not have had this year without your contribution. May God continue to bless your efforts. I pray that your church reap the love and kindness that you all showed us back in return. Merry Christmas, Charity & Laiya Grace
Lockwood/Chavera Family We thank you so much for all the thought and energy that was put into the wonderful gifts given to us. You couldn't have given us a more perfect gift, or one with more meaning. Thank you! Maria L. Lockwood and Chavera family
The Lyons Donato Family My family and I want to thank you all so much for all of your help. We had a great time at the party and enjoyed meeting all of you. Everyone was so nice and welcoming and the children absolutely loved their gifts! Thank you all for that great experience, you all have brought so much joy into our home this holiday season. Please keep doing God s work and touching families in such a special way! With Love, The Lyons and Donato family , Tavia Lyons, Pierre, Aliyah and Isaiah Donato
The Ford/Johnson Family The Ford Family has been very grateful for St. Elias. They have been very overwhelmed and left the hospital Wednesday, December 18th with Hospice care for Nicole. They are devastated about hospice care but know it is the best thing for Nicole. Stacy and her mother have verbally stated how much they appreciate the generous gifts during a time of Christmas. Stacy Ford, Nicole and Melanie Johnson Memory Eternal Nicole Johnson 6/26/2006 10/25/2020
Thank you! Danielle Turner and Kaiden Guckenberger
The Shapiro Family We were unable to attend this year's event at St. Elias due to illness, but I wanted to express how much we love and appreciate being a part of this beautiful event. The last year we attended. Jake was with us and it holds as one of my favorite memories with my boy. The ladies of St. Elias create a beautiful atmosphere where our children feel special and God's children. It is a day of celebration where we forget what appointments we may have or the hospital stays in our past or near future. It is a day of love and a humbling example of how the holidays should be. This is our first year without Jake and looking though our pictures of past St. Elias events has given me the strength to get our tree up and celebrate this time of year for Hannah as we remember Jake. Thank you for the thoughtfulness and kindness that comes with this very special event. Even though we could not be there this year, we felt the love of St. Elias and FOCUS and sometimes all it takes is a stranger saying they care and are here. It pushes me through to the next day in words I simply cannot express. Thank you to FOCUS and St. Elias for continually filling my heart with joy, peace, and love. You provide the hope and sprinkle it with the faith I need during this time and always. We love you all, Stephanie, Paul, Hannah, and our twinkling star, Jake
The Shapiro Family Memory Eternal Jake Shapiro 6/28/2005 1/24/2019 Hannah Shapiro 1/9/2004 8/18/2020
