A note from the director of the Palatine Opportunity Center reflecting on the spirit of Christmas
Photos
Was it
…..the smile on the face of a child receiving toys for Christmas?
….the tears of joy on the cheeks of an overwhelmed mother ?
…..the relief in the eyes of a proud father now able to share holiday magic with his family?
Every year the spirit of Christmas will take away our breath and make us want to sing with joy. We can’t predict when this will happen, and it certainly can’t be forced. Something will touch us and we will experience the goodness of humanity and the love in the hearts of people.
The Palatine Opportunity Center staff , board, and social service agencies were able to share the joy and spirit of the holidays from December 1st to December 24th with over 485 people this year due to the generosity and efforts of the following angels in our community:
Deer Grove Covenant Church-snow pants for all ages
Palatine Garden Club-coloring books and beanie babies for preschool children
Kushner Family from Palatine McDonalds-hats, scarves, mitten for all ages for Giving Tree
Palatine Whole Foods-special lotions, socks, and treats for all ages
Sue Gould and Starck, Realtors-toys
The Cornerstone Breakfast Club-toys
The Cornerstone Breakfast Group-toys
The Cornerstone Surge Group-toys
Prince of Peace Church-homemade mittens for Giving Tree
The Kiewert Family-socks for Giving Tree
Fremd Student Council-toys
Thrive Vineyard Church-gifts for families
Salt Creek Park District –hats, scarves, mittens for Giving Tree
Immanuel Lutheran School-gifts for families
Palatine Bank and Trust-coats for children
Thank you for sharing your joy and love in 2012. I was able to witness this power of your caring and it provided healing for the suffering, warmth for the cold, and light for the hopeless. Bless you all and may 2013 be a prosperous and healthy year!
K.M.
Bradley Marshall
12:46 am on Monday, February 11, 2013
Thrive Vineyard church is a great church with wonderful pastors. The pastors are really kind people who were welcoming, warm, and wanted to get to know you and showed they really care. After much searching in the local area, this is where my wife and I have decided to attend church. We just started, but the church offers a variety of small groups and other extra activities that can help a person build friendships and grow in the community. The church also has an emphasis on equipping its members for ministry which was a quality I truly enjoyed. They are also very prayer focused and have time during the service to pray and be prayed for. I highly recommend Thrive Vineyard.