In case you missed the last article about the results of the Holiday Giving Project, here is a recap.

We’d like to say a heartfelt THANK YOU to the numerous members and partners who contributed to the success of ILYA’s Holiday Giving Project in December. So many of you rose to the challenge of supporting a record number of 112 young adults aging out of foster care and 16 of their children in New Castle and Kent Counties. By comparison, 39 families and 10 of their children received gifts in 2020.
Many thanks to the First U congregation for your contributions of time, items and financial support. Members helped provide gift cards, children’s books, calendars, blankets and personalized greeting cards for recipients. Too many individuals to list, but a special thank you to member Doyle Dobbins for donating 112 jars of honey made by his own bees and to the church’s knitter group who offered beautiful scarves and hats. The volunteer wrappers packaged all of the gifts for pick up or delivery within about 3 hours. What an efficient group!

Congregations at Millcreek and UUCD in Dover also supported the project with donated items and financial contributions. It truly was a team effort and we cannot thank you all enough!

A big KUDOS to the Holiday Giving Project Coordinators Carolyn Gibson and Martha Gessler for leading this giant effort. Their exceptional organizational skills and commitment made the entire project run smoothly from start to finish. No easy task given the increase in numbers this year!

Again, thank you for your generosity. Best wishes for a Happy, Healthy New Year from the ILYA team!