REDFORD TOWNSHIP, Mich. – The holidays are supposed to feel like home but for some children, that won’t be a reality this year and there’s even more reason to make sure they still find joy this Christmas.
With hundreds of children and more than 1,600 gifts flooding MCHS Family of Services, it’s clear Santa is going to need extra helpers in Redford Township.
The nonprofit provides foster care and adoption services. It also offers child abuse prevention, residential treatment and clinical therapy to families.
“It feels so good that we’re able to do this and that we’re able to help in this way,” said Stefani Greenspan, an employee of Rocket Companies.
While MCHS Family of Services leads the massive operation, it’s the generosity of donors and volunteers who make the quest to get presents under the Christmas tree a reality.
“We’re just excited because (1) we can’t wrap all those ourselves (2) that ability to cover more and more children and make sure that they have a Christmas,” said Kevin Roach, CEO of the organization.
This year, the number of wish lists grew, he said. To make sure each gift would be wrapped with love, it enlisted the help of companies and their employees to create an assembly line.
“It’s really important because they didn’t choose that,” said Christine Schwartz, another employee of Rocket Companies. “So, being able to provide for them and work together as a team to give them the Christmas that they might not have had without these organizations is a really big deal.”
The wish list program includes items like clothing, home goods, gift cards and electronics.
Sometimes, the foster kids ask for presents for their siblings.
The requests are enough to make some volunteers stretch beyond their comfort levels.
“It’s not so bad. It’s not too shabby,” said Greenspan as she held her wrapped present to her colleagues.
I’ve watched a lot of videos throughout the years, she said.