December 20, 2024

Daniel Nelson remembers the first Christmas party for former Mercy Home residents back in 2005. “It started off in a little small room, and it was probably like 25 people.”

Back then, he said, the purpose of the gathering was simple. “It was really mostly about just being able to celebrate folks and the ritual of giving back and being in community with each other during the holidays.”

Since then, Community Care has grown to become our largest program, providing 332 former residents and family members with ongoing support last year. And with that growth, the program’s annual Christmas celebration has grown as well.

“The spirit of [the event] has not changed as far as coming together as a community for the holidays but the impact definitely has changed,” Nelson said. “There’s way more families, way more kids. It’s our former residents who are now grown and have kids of their own.”

Every member is invited, including participants in our Friends First mentoring program, and more than 500 people attended last week in our soccer facility, the only indoor space on campus large enough to accommodate the popular gathering. The event featured dinner, a donation area, a toy station, a photo booth, kiddie corner with face painters and ballon animal artists, and of course, a visit from our old friend Dreezy Claus, aka “Chicago’s Black Santa.” Kids had the chance to have their picture taken with Dreezy before selecting a gift provided by our generous donors and partners in the business community.

“Every year my kids are anticipating coming to see their friends and people they haven’t seen in a year,” said Community Care member Kyra. “So it’s definitely become tradition for us.”

An integral part of Mercy Home’s continuum of care, Community Care offers support and belonging for former residents after they transition from our residential programs while also extending support for families. Events like the Christmas party are an opportunity for the Community Care team to check in with former residents and offer any help or connection they may need.

“The biggest constant as far as what our members need is relationship and a sense of belonging.”

Attendees valued the opportunity to be together in a safe environment and celebrate the holidays with old friends and their Mercy Home family. But some of our families also struggle financially, especially during the holiday season. Thankfully, we’re able to partner with friends throughout the community who help ensure that our families are cared for and have what they need to enjoy a Merry Christmas.

“We gave away hundreds of toys,” Nelson said. “We had coats and hygiene items. Laundry detergent, and non-perishable foods that we gave out to families and young people.”

Several corporate partners donated items, sent volunteers to help run the event, and in the case of trading firm Optiver, which also helps provide Christmas presents to our youth in residential programs, underwriting.

“They covered the expenses for the party, including dinner, drinks, and desserts for more than 500 people,” said Jim Marrese, director of business development at Mercy Home. “They’ve done it for the last several years, but they also help out at the Home in other ways, like our Summer Career Institute, which exposes our young people to various workplaces and career options. We’re really grateful for their support.”

Toys for our families came from numerous donors, but this year, At Properties, a local real estate company, went above and beyond. “They organized a toy drive at all their branches throughout the city and suburbs,” Marrese said, and did five drop-offs to the Home throughout December.”

The company also provided essential items and sent volunteers to help out at the party.

Marrese expressed gratitude for several other companies and donors who provided toys, hygiene items, baby supplies, coats and winter gear, and more, including Robert Half, AArete, 1871, Corrugated Metal, and Valley Bank, Menards in Evergreen Park, to name just a few.

Many, like AArete, Robert Half, At Properties, Valley Bank, and Optiver, joined other volunteers at the party from the Chicago White Sox Volunteer Corps, Amtrak, Illinois Chapter of American Academy of Pediatrics, and Jones College Prep.

In our gymnasium, families were able to select any items they needed, including winter gear provided by Patagonia, Mary Breski and the Condo Association at the Heritage at Millenium Park, Stride Financial, and the Lavin Foundation. Additionally, First Choice Financial and many individual donors provided gift cards to help families meet needs during the holiday season.

Former Mercy Home resident Peter made a repeat appearance as emcee for the evening. A natural talent on the mic, Peter kept spirits bright during the entire evening for our guests.

Fr. Scott also addressed the gathering, blessing the meal and expressing gratitude for all who made the night possible, including donors, volunteers, our Special Events and Community Care teams, and coworkers who helped connect the Home with the resources to ensure another successful Christmas celebration for our members and families.

“My favorite saying in the scripture is what has been given to you as a gift in life, you give to others,” he told the crowd before encouraging them to stop at our manger after the event. “That’s what the season is really all about,” Fr. Scott said. “It’s really a season of God’s love for all of us.”

VIDEO: See highlights from the Community Care Christmas celebration and hear from some of our members.