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As we reflect upon our blessings, we feel grateful for you!
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Hugs! We're Thankful for Our Kids and Families... | |
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Hammitt Elementary and Junior-Senior High Celebrate Thanksgiving
The halls at Hammitt Elementary School and Hammitt Junior-Senior High School recently filled with scrumptious aromas as students, families, and friends enjoyed an early Thanksgiving dinner.
The event brought everyone together not only to celebrate our students but also all that they're thankful for as we kick off the holiday season. Students at Hammitt Elementary began the dinner by performing a skit they worked on over the last few weeks.
The dedicated staff at Hammitt Elementary prepared the feast for their school, and a donor provided funds for a catered meal at Hammitt Junior-Senior High.
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An Enchanted Field Trip
Students from a Hammitt School classroom got to take a field trip to The Baby Fold’s Festival of Trees last Friday! They enjoyed the sights, sounds, and holiday cheer throughout the event.
Of course the children in all of The Baby Fold's programs are THE reason the Festival of Trees exists. The event funds expert services for children who need special education, adoption support, foster care, autism programs, crisis care, early intervention and more. We build positive futures for kids and families with your help.
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We're Thankful for Our Volunteers... | |
The amazing work done by The Baby Fold staff to help children and families would not be possible without the countless volunteers who regularly live out the mission of The Baby Fold. Volunteers such as: | |
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Paula Hardy
Paula was recently named a finalist for the Volunteer of the Year Award by the McLean County United Way's Women United group for her work and dedication to The Baby Fold's Festival of Trees. She spends countless hours throughout the year creating gorgeous wreaths, swags, and centerpieces for the silent auction. For decades now, Paula has also been instrumental in setting up, arranging, and organizing auction items at the Festival of Trees to help create a successful, beautiful annual event.
Thank you for your decades of service, Paula!
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Charlotte Talkington
Each year, Charlotte leads a talented team of individuals from the Family and Consumer Sciences Professionals of McLean County in organizing the Bake Shop for the Festival of Trees. The goodies are always a big draw for event attendees, and the Bake Shop donates 100% of their proceeds to The Baby Fold. For her efforts throughout the community, Charlotte recently received the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution Community Service Award. Congrats, Charlotte! Your have blessed The Baby Fold for many years. We are grateful.
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Abby Kaufman
Even though she's only 13 years old, Abby has been making a difference for The Baby Fold for a few years now. After working with her grandmother to create gingerbread houses for the Festival of Trees, Abby wanted to try her hand at crafting as well.
In 2021 she used her own money and internet tutorials to create a beautiful wreath for the Festival of Trees silent auction to help young people in need. This year, Abby crafted and donated FIVE wreaths and a centerpiece raising even more money for our critical programs. Way to go, Abby!
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State Farm
Awesome, hard-working, State Farm volunteers assembled over 1,000 craft kits that were passed out to children at the Festival of Trees creating joyous memories. Another amazing State Farm team assisted in the cleaning and organizing of multiple rooms at our Fort Jesse location greatly helping The Baby Fold staff. Thank you to these incredible State Farm teams!
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Rivian
Staff members from Rivian recently helped create a wonderful holiday adventure for local children by helping set up the kids area, Jingle Bell Junction, at the Festival of Trees. They decorated a whole forest of Christmas trees and made sure the area was ready for Santa to come visit. Thanks to the Rivian team!
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We're Thankful for This Community... | |
We couldn't do the transformational and life-critical work we do without our supporters and this community. | |
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The Christmas trees were elegant, the wreaths and centerpieces sparkled, and the Bloomington-Normal community truly showed up to support The Baby Fold at the 2022 Festival of Trees! We can't thank you enough for your generosity toward our children and families.
We welcomed thousands of you at the Interstate Center, and the event was one of the most successful Festivals to date. Nearly 3,700 supporters bid on the Festival auction items and every item was sold! We are grateful to our generous sponsors, volunteers, and guests who come together every year to invest in the lives of children.
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Looking for a way to spread holiday cheer? We still have children's wish lists available for adoption in our Christmas Wish List program!
Many children who receive services from The Baby Fold would not receive Christmas gifts if it weren't for the generous hearts of friends like you. YOU can help turn our children's lists into Christmas morning memories! Visit our website to adopt or fund a Christmas Wish List, learn more, or sign up to volunteer.
Thank you for blessing the children of The Baby Fold this Christmas season.
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Year-end giving meets growing needs: Our kids are thankful for you! | |
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This year, economic conditions have created many new challenges for children and families. The Baby Fold turns your charitable gift into life-critical services for local children.
More, The Baby Fold makes giving easy by accepting secure online gifts, IRA rollovers, stocks, property, cryptocurrency, and more. Visit the website today for more information and to make your gift or call Aimee Beam at 309.451.7206. Your gifts build better futures for children. Thank you!
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We're Thankful for Our History... | |
Our Journey through the 2000s | |
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As we continue our 120th anniversary celebration, we're grateful for the rich history of The Baby Fold through the years. This month it's time to look at the 2000s.
After seeing the success with our individualized special education at Hammitt Elementary School, the program was expanded in 2002 and Hammitt High School opened. The school began with 16 students.
Hammitt High School later became Hammitt Junior-Senior High School and was expanded to include the junior high students and a Challenges Classroom for students with autism up to age 21.
We began the 2000s decade with major renovations and construction on our buildings on Oglesby in Normal. In May 2000, children officially moved into the new Residential Treatment Center at 614 Oglesby.
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And We're Thankful for Our Life-Critical Programs... | |
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Adoption Support and Preservation
We've celebrated our 120th anniversary this year with a monthly look at each of our 12 transformational programs. This month we're focusing on one of our largest programs—Adoption Support and Preservation.
Many adopted children experience unique struggles. That's why the Baby Fold’s Adoption Support and Preservation Program started in 1994. When family challenges arise, we offer support, consultation, resources, and professional therapy at no cost to families.
Families can also take advantage of services like The Baby Fold’s Camp Take-a-Break which provides respite weekends that allow parents and children time for recovery and renewal. The Adoption Support and Preservation program currently serves 277 clients from 22 counties in Illinois.
The Baby Fold is committed to supporting adopted families in the same way adoptive parents are committed to supporting their children. And the families are seeing a difference. One adoptive mother recently said, "We are working with a therapist from The Baby Fold who has helped us in tremendous ways!"
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