Christmas delivered early
This past Friday, the Sunday Assembly social justice initiative – Hispanic Family Christmas Sharing Project – provided joy, gifts and food to 35 Hispanic families and their 74 children.
Together with more than 30 volunteers and 79 donors we raised $14,262.50. With these generous gifts, we were able to provide each family with Christmas gifts for each child, Christmas-inspired meal kits from our partner at The River Food Pantry, a $250 Woodman’s Market gift card, chocolate treats and a sweet note offering Christmas joy and blessings from the greater Holy Wisdom family.
As one of our co-chairs, Joyce Wodka, said it best, “I feel joy in my heart doing this project, knowing that we are helping someone in our community. After my last delivery of food and gifts, as I started my car, my favorite hymn began to play…. Perry Como, singing the “Lord’s Prayer.” Tearfully, I breathed deep and said, ‘I get it Lord!’ And that’s what it’s all about!”
Due to the overwhelming response and generosity of our community, we were able to award a special gift of $500 to our partners at The River Food Pantry, as well. Each week, hundreds of families throughout Dane Country visit The River for groceries and personal care items.
One of our volunteer families, Rita & Ed Emmenegger shared their experience, as well. Rita shared, that “as we walked away from the home of one of our recipients, two little boys were hanging out the door yelling, “adios! gracias!” Our hearts could not have been fuller.”
None of this would have been possible without you – donors and volunteers. Thank you for your beautiful acts of kindness over the last several weeks.
| Barb & Dan Abbott | Kathleen Kelly Shanovich & Ronald Shanovich |
| Sandy Adams | Joanna Kramer Fanney |
| Freddi Joan Adelson | Kelly Lamb |
| Dwight Allen | Sue & Terry Larson |
| Beth Anderson | Lynn Lemberger & Vicki Clark |
| Anonymous | Joan & Allen Liegel |
| Richard Baker | Abbie Loomis |
| Jane & Michael Belongie | Cheryl Martin |
| Lisa Bonitas | Sally & Thomas McCoy |
| Amy Bonomie | Charles McLimans & Richard Merrion |
| Sally Bowers & Howard Fenton | Eileen McNamara |
| Sue & Charles Bradley | Nancy Melin |
| Jerry Buss | Julie Melton |
| Abigail Cantor & Alan Kalker | Janet Miller |
| Valerie & Tony Cappozzo | Janet Neurauter |
| Karen Cherry | Kathleen & Ned |
| Janice & Dennis Collier | Carla Peterson |
| Louie Cornelius & Pris Boroniec | Steven Powell |
| Cathy Cornell & Paul Knitter | Ruth Reinl |
| Gina & Robert Cowell | Pam Richardson |
| Marie & Mike Crawford | Dick Russo |
| Jody Crowley Beers & Reverend Bill Beers | Elaine & Dennis Schenborn |
| Jeannine & Edouard Desautels | Alicia & Dustin Schneider |
| Paula & Bob Dinndorf | Kathleen & Ron Shanovich |
| Patricia Donovan | Ryan Shanovich & Meg Lacey |
| Hildegard Dorrer | Linda Shaw |
| Pat Dwight | Gail & Dan Shea |
| Janine Edwards | Chris Shelton |
| Rita & Ed Emmenegger | Bob Smith |
| Shirley Fagan | Neal & Diane Smith |
| Roberta Felker | Sister Lynne Smith |
| Margie Ferstl | Aggie Steichen |
| Rev Dr Jerry & Mrs Kathy Folk | Cory Steinmetz |
| Lisette Fonder | Therese & Michael Stevens |
| Nichole Fromm & JonMichael Rasmus | Nancy & David Topp |
| Jane Gogan & Gordon Hamnett | Maureen & John Van Dinter |
| Sonny Graves | Valerie Vervoort |
| Laura Green | Beth Watson |
| Sherri Hansen | Sara & John Whalen |
| Colleen & Kent Hartung | Tom Whitemarsh |
| Kathy & Neil Heskin | Joyce & Gary Wodka |
| Mary Hoddy | Sandy Wojtal-Weber |
| Louise Johnson & Dick Russo | Kathy Woytch |
| Pamela Johnson | Stacy Zanzig |
| Kristen Keller | Tom Zanzig & Peg Davey |
| Mary Ellen Kelly | Steve Zwettler & Barbara Brummer |
A special thank you to the leadership of this Sunday Assembly social justice initiative, including Joyce Wodka, Kathleen Kelly Shanovich, and Rita Emmenegger. Their guidance, support and planning made all the difference in ensuring the sponsored families and their children were well cared for this Christmas season.
While 2020 had much darkness, Holy Wisdom Monastery continues to seek, find and share the light.
Merry Christmas!