Christmas with Hope for Kids

The biggest thing that has happened in Hope for Kids in 2012 was the Christmas party we planned for them. We (the CAS) went out and got gifts and stickers for the kids, mostly Princess stickers for the girls and Ben10 and truck stickers for the boys. It was an incredibly good feeling to be able to engage in an issue of global importance such as caring for the sick, while being able to brighten up the lives of the kids who otherwise wouldn’t have been able to celebrate Christmas. We brought the gifts to the hospital, where we also began the time there that day with singing songs to (and sometimes with) a group of about 40 kids and parents assembled there, while the rest of us set up the gifts and handed out the stickers to the kids. Our collaboration showed how we accomplish several activities at once as a group while everyone felt comfortable because we understood each other’s strengths or weaknesses such as lack of comfort at singing. One of my favorite moments was when one girl handed back her Princess stickers and demanded a Ben10 sticker set. Some people tried to Gangnam style dance as well, which brought smiles to the face of several of the kids there.

About an hour into the party, Mr. Snyder showed up dressed as Santa Claus, and we began handing out gifts such as drawing supplies, small backpacks and school supplies. While some kids did seem surprised, many had huge smiles on their faces.

During the handing out of presents, several others from the group and myself began blowing up loads of balloons. The majority of the CAS group went to the wards with Mr. Snyder (still dressed as Santa), and handed out the rest of the balloons. Myself and a few others stayed behind and blew up more balloons, I stayed behind because I know a huge weakness of mine is my dislike of hospitals and my phobia of needles, so I knew I would be a hindrance if I went with the people to the ward.

The day ended with us leaving about 30 more balloons in the play room for the kids, and I felt good having been able to give the children a chance to experience Christmas.