When in life do you get the chance to make someone's wish come true? Actually, at First U, you can right now! By participating in the ILYA (Independent Living for Young Adults) Holiday Giving project, you can fulfill the wish of a young person who has aged out of foster care. Sometimes they wish for life's basic necessities… clothing, gift cards to buy food and household essential. But there are also requests for fun they can't afford – things many of us take for granted and buy without hesitation.

Please visit the ILYA table (look for the Christmas tree) at coffee hour any Sunday in November and volunteer to take a list or make a donation (and someone else will do the shopping). No matter what your personal holiday tradition is, we can all relate to spreading some cheer to others who have so little and work so hard just to meet daily needs. It's a great way to share your thankfulness for all that enriches your own life and show these young people we care.

Barbara Perry and Carolyn Gibson and their helpers can help you pick a list that fits your budget or answer questions. Please help us make a happy holiday for these young people!