Sometimes Love Looks Like an Early Morning Drive | | |
Every child deserves to feel safe, loved, and cared for. For one little baby—entering foster care with complex medical needs—finding a family willing to provide all three was especially important.
That's the love and security that Baby Fold foster parents, Emily and Derek Caughron, stepped forward to provide. They welcomed this precious little girl into their home and hearts, embracing not only her need for love and stability but also the challenges of managing her specialized medical care.
Sometimes that love looks like leaving early in the morning for an appointment, driving hours to see a specialist, or offering comfort and reassurance in an unfamiliar place. Emily and Derek have rearranged schedules, advocated for her needs, and helped maintain important family connections, all while providing the security of a loving home.
Could you open your heart and home to a child in need? Click here to learn more about becoming a foster parent with The Baby Fold.
| Festival of Trees Returns—Breakfast with Santa Returns! | | |
The Baby Fold’s Festival of Trees returns November 19-21 at the Interstate Center in Bloomington! Celebrate the most wonderful time of the year with the cherished traditions you love—plus new events and festive attractions to make this year’s festival more magical than ever!
Exclusive Holiday Gala - Get Your Tickets Now!
Kick off the holiday season on Thursday, November 19, at the NEW Festival of Trees Gala, an exclusive 21+ evening featuring:
Featuring:
- A gourmet buffet dinner from Rob Dob's Restaurant & Bar
- Live and silent auctions
- Buy-It-Now items
- Vacation Giveaway
- Complimentary photo booths
- Live band
- Signature Drinks
- Exclusive VIP Preview of the Festival of Trees
- Gala ticket holders receive FREE general admission to The Festival of Trees all weekend
Hurry—Gala are selling fast! Click here to get yours before they're gone!
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Holiday Vendor Market
Friday, Nov. 20 | 4–8 pm
Holiday Vendor Market
Saturday, Nov. 21 | 1 –5 pm
Jump start your holiday shopping with festive vendor fairs. Browse wares from local artisans featuring handcrafted jewelry, unique gifts, and one-of-a-kind treasures for everyone on your list.
Interested in becoming a vendor? Click Here to Secure a Booth!
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Breakfast with Santa
Sat, Nov. 21 | 8:30–10:00 am
Make Christmas memories during this magical morning!
Enjoy a family-friendly breakfast by Rob Dob's Restaurant & Bar and award-winning children's performer "Julie K"—and don’t forget SANTA!
Presented by Little Jewels Learning Center and Rob Dob's Restaurant & Bar! Click Here for Tickets!
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Avanti's Family Night
Fri, Nov. 20 | 5:00–7:00 am
Enjoy a delicious meal and live holiday entertainment while surrounded by hundreds of Christmas trees, wreaths, and more!
All proceeds bless local children and families served by The Baby Fold!
Tickets include general admission to the Festival of Trees on Friday 11/20 and your meal. Click Here for Tickets!
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Interested in getting involved?
Click here to view Festival of Trees volunteer opportunities!
| | A Little Care for Those Who Give So Much | | |
The Baby Fold put employee well-being in the spotlight during our October Wellness Fair at Hammitt School's Oglesby campus!
Staff enjoyed a day filled with opportunities to focus on their physical, mental, emotional, and financial well-being. From tai chi, meditation, and dance fitness to nutrition education, sensory gardening, stress management, and financial wellness, the fair offered something for everyone. Even "Hunter" the theapy dog stopped by to say hello!
Employees also explored unique experiences, including Lenormand card readings and discussions about self-care and connecting with nature.
Carle Health's Mobile Clinic provided convenient access to medical appointments, preventive screenings, vaccinations, and other healthcare services for staff and their families.
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Caring for others begins with caring for ourselves. We're grateful for this opportunity to invest in the health and well-being of the dedicated employees who make The Baby Fold's mission possible every day!
Interested in joining a team that values connection, wellness, and purpose? Explore current job opportunities at TheBabyFold.org
| | Noah's Christmas Wish List Story | |
Seven-year-old Noah, a little boy with autism, has a special love for dinosaurs. He can name dozens of them, knows all sorts of fascinating facts, and lights up whenever he gets to share what he's learned. But making friends and connecting with other children doesn't always come easily. So when Noah was asked what he wanted for Christmas, he wished for a dinosaur board game—something he could enjoy while spending time with his family.
Thanks to a thoughtful friend of The Baby Fold, Noah's Christmas wish came true. What seemed like a simple game became an opportunity for laughter, connection, and precious moments together.
Stories like his are at the heart of The Baby Fold’s Christmas Wish List program, which brings light and love to children who might otherwise go without. Last year, nearly 800 local children experienced the joy of being loved and remembered.
For many of these children, if it weren’t for the generosity of friends like you, there might not be any presents waiting under the tree on Christmas morning. Every present is more than a toy or a blanket, it’s a message that says, you matter, you are loved, and you are never alone.
Click here to adopt or fund one or more children's Christmas Wish Lists and make the holidays brighter for local children!
| Family Quick Tips from Baby Fold Therapists | | |
Sometimes what looks like defiance may actually be a child struggling to manage overwhelming emotions, stress, or unmet needs. Children who have experienced trauma or disrupted relationships may need extra support to access the skills they already have.
Before assuming a child “won’t,” consider:
- Are they regulated enough to do what I’m asking?
- Do they have the skills and support they need?
- Is the expectation realistic for them right now?
- Could connection, food, movement, or a calming activity help?
Try a different approach: Instead of asking, “Why won’t you?” try saying, “I can see this is hard right now. Let’s figure it out together.”
Remember, we can still set limits and expectations while helping children work through what’s hard for them. It means pausing to understand the need behind the behavior and providing the support children need to build skills and succeed.
| | Community Partners Benefit Local Children | | |
This November, when you fill your gas tank, you’ll help drive change for local families!
Our friends as Evergreen FS are donating 5¢ per gallon to The Baby Fold all month long at their Fast Stop Bloomington location at 1808 Morrissey Drive. Thank you, friends!
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Thank you to the Morton Community Foundation for generously funding a giant sensory light pegboard for The Baby Fold’s Hammitt Schools!
This interactive resource will help students with complex needs explore their senses, develop new skills, and engage in learning in meaningful ways.
| | Whether you're making memories at Central Illinois' largest holiday event or ensuring children aren't forgotten at Christmas, your generosity blesses many! | | | | |
