Holiday for Hope!
Thank you to everyone around the world who contributed in making this years Holiday for Hope event a global celebration and passionate message of hope for homeless and underprivileged children! See the featured articles on the home page for some of the stories of one special day. Be sure to visit again soon for photos and more stories!
Worlds Largest Kids Holiday Celebration!
"Is there ever any particular spot one can put one's finger and say, 'It all began that day, at such a time and such a place, with such an incident?"
~ Agatha Christie
In 1989, a small group of volunteers organized the first official event for Dreams for Kids. News came to us that Ms. Clara Kirk had recently founded a shelter for homeless children and their mothers in the West Englewood neighborhood of Chicago, one of the poorest neighborhoods in the country.
That year, on December 24th, we visited Clara and surprised her and the 52 children with a visit from Santa Claus and a Christmas full of food, song, smiles and gifts. As we were leaving, Clara cast a serious look and told us something we will never forget, "I am not sure if you really understand...if you had not come, these kids would not have even known it was Christmas."
Clara's words inspired us to continue our mission and do more the next year. Each year our holiday party grew to include more kids who would be denied the spirit of the Season. Now the annual Dreams for Kids Holiday Celebration brings over 1,200 homeless and underprivileged children to the largest party of its kind in the state and they are treated to day filled with joy and hope.
The United States Marines and the local community contribute over 3,000 gifts and food. A full Marine Honor Guard joins with 150 passionate volunteers to greet the kids at the door of a spectacular children's facility as they enter a Winter Wonderland complete with interactive games, crafts, clowns, face painters and memories to last a lifetime.
"The life I touch for good or ill, will touch another life and then in turn, another, until who knows when the trembling will stop or in what far place my touch will be felt." ~ Frederick Buechner
As Dreams for Kids began its global expansion, our traditional holiday celebration took on an even deeper meaning. Embracing the traditions of a world community brought home the historical significance of the Season.
Throughout human history, people from every corner of the world have observed the seasonal milestone of the Winter Solstice and created spiritual and cultural traditions to celebrate the rebirth of sunlight after the darkest period of the year.
The Winter Solstice is considered a sacred time in the yearly cycle of life. It is when the sun is at its lowest and weakest and from this day the light will grow stronger and brighter. The Romans called it the birthday of the unconquered sun.
This traditional holiday season can indeed be a very dark time for those in need. Dreams for Kids will continue to bring the light of hope to children who suffer from the most desperate of situations. Now we reach out to others around the world to join us on this day for a global celebration of generosity.
Please join us on the day of the Winter Solstice, December 13th 2008, as we bring homeless and underprivileged children together to celebrate life, hope and the rising of the sun.
Let us come together, people of all faith and from every culture, to honor and celebrate children of all abilities and give each of them every reason to believe their future will be bright.
This year we will be joined by groups in communities all over the world. At one time, in all places, this collective energy will give unprecedented hope to the children of the world who are in the most need.
In each community, groups will plan an event for December 13, 2008,
as simple as a visit to a homeless shelter or as grand as our
traditional celebration held each year for homeless and underprivileged
children in Illinois. You can join an existing event to be held in the
cities listed on the global map below or you can start planning your own
outreach. Lets fill up the map with celebrations of hope in every
corner of the world!
Will you join us?
View Larger Map Yes, I want to make a difference in my community on this special day!
Click here to
contact us at Dreams for Kids to join the World's Largest Kids Holiday Celebration!
Click here to download your Holiday for Hope Planning Guide!
To make a tax deductible financial contribution to the celebration, please click here. You may also choose to add an additional amount to each option by choosing to multiply an amount after you click to donate. Thank you for your generosity! To read more about how and where Dreams for Kids began this amazing day, and be inspired by the stories of joyful children, click here, for a free download of Chapters 8 and 9 of the acclaimed book, Kiss of a Dolphin.
Click on any image to see full size Displaying 1 thru 8 of 38 Found. Next
Displaying 1 thru 8 of 38 Found Next
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Dream Leaders
