January 24, 2025

As we move forward into a new year, we wanted to take one last look at the wonderful Christmas season at Mercy Home and express our deepest appreciation to so many generous friends who made it possible–far more than we can possibly name below.

Our Community Care and residential program Christmas parties were tremendously successful and made each of the young people and families we serve feel loved and part of an extended family over the holidays.

Our Community Care Christmas party is the largest gathering of the holiday season at Mercy Home, with more than 500 people enjoying a dinner, donations of coats, shoes, and other necessities, an enormous array of toys for the kids, and the chance to meet Dreezy Claus, a.k.a. “Chicago’s Black Santa, Claus.” We are incredibly thankful to our friends at Optiver, who underwrote the whole party, @Properties, who donated five truckloads of toys, Patagonia and Stride Financial who donated coats, and the many companies who volunteered their time to help out with this event. To see our former residents and their families connect and experience community at the holidays was truly heartwarming.

The parties for the young people living full time at our boys home and our girls home were also very special nights. Our young people participated in spiritual celebrations, enjoyed holiday dinners together, and opened gifts following a visit from our old friend, and former coworker, Dreezy Claus.

Tradition is an important component of these events. Our youth get a sense of what it means to observe traditions around the holidays and a chance to think about what traditions they would like to continue and share in their own lives after their time at our Home.

The Santa train at our boys home and the present-opening at our girls home are great examples of our favorite Christmas traditions. We are grateful to trading firm Optiver for purchasing the gifts for our kids and making the holidays special for them. The law firm Barack Ferrazzano also donated everyday items like plates, cups, and other kitchen supplies as well as $2,500 in gift cards. Each residential living program at the Home also received one large gift, such as a ping pong or foosball table, thanks to funds raised by our Ambassadors of Mercy board.

Throughout the Christmas season, there are countless additional donors who give generously and make the holidays magic at Mercy Home. Our friends at Butch McGuire’s in Chicago fundraise through their holiday train and by collecting hygiene supplies. The non-profit Chicago technology innovation hub 1871 and Corrugated Metals also shared generous gifts with our Home during the Christmas season.

Renee Stetz, the Senior Business Relationship Manager at Huntington National Bank, visited Mercy Home during the Christmas season and brought with her 110 Christmas gift bags that she and her coworkers put together for our young people.

And Fill a Heart 4 Kids, an organization that is continually donating wonderful gifts to our Home, generously donated Christmas gifts for our kids, on top of given them a tour of Halas Hall, headquarters of the Chicago Bears. Youth were treated to lunch and the chance to watch the Bears practice, take photos with the players, and receive autographs.

Finally, donors across the country gave gifts and who donated much-needed items like sheets, towels, winter gear, books, and toys throughout the holiday season.

Of course, pictures are worth a thousand words so please enjoy this video of our young people opening presents and enjoying the wonder of Christmas at Mercy Home!