Happy Holidays, Katie,

Here we are at the end of 2023 already – it felt like the fastest year yet for me – with no signs that I should expect it to slow down. I am wrapping up one of my latest projects, data collection on our program metrics, including how many folks MCUM has served this year and what marked improvements we have helped them to make along their paths to prosperity. I will look forward to sharing that with you in our upcoming annual report on 2023. Until then, here are some of this month’s outcomes I am thrilled to share with you:

Our annual Polar Express event was, as usual, a hit! We hosted over 50 kids and their families for an adventure (with Golden Tickets, of course!) through various activities including face painting, cookie decorating, ornament making, a hot chocolate bar, and, of course, a visit to see “Santa.” My husband, Nathan, was voluntold to play Santa this year and I have to tell you, he really knocked it out of the park! My youngest, Cobie, is too young to comprehend Santa, and I feared my oldest would quite literally think her father IS Santa if she saw him, so I was a little worried about potential fallout from this arrangement. We had a few close calls when Cobie emerged from the Puffin classroom and caught a glimpse of her dad dressed as Santa, and when Hazel’s buddy immediately accused Santa of being Hazel’s dad. Fortunately, we were able to recover quickly, and my children are none the wiser! Hah!

In line with the holidays, I want to give some special thank you's this month. Thank you to our supporters making financial contributions through our Prosperity Fund annual campaign (it is not too late to give – mcum.org/donate). Thank you to FORVIS for purchasing coats to bundle up our Compass kids this winter. Thank you to our holiday sponsors, food basket makers, and food drive hosts for helping us pull together an incredible lineup of holiday joy for the families MCUM serves.

Our biggest need to complete the year is financial contributions to our end of year campaign. With your help, $130,000 collected will help us more intentionally lift families out of poverty and into prosperity, will allow us to pay our team of unmatched, incredible employees not only a livable wage but a competitive one, and will ensure that MCUM is supplied with essentials. Your support stays local and is always intentionally invested into improving the lives we touch!

Wishing you and yours the absolute best this year!

Katie Broadfoot, MPA

Executive Director

Monroe County United Ministries

kbroadfoot@mcum.org

812-339-3429 ext.11

Special thanks to The Project School for donating 200lbs of food for our pantry!

We have raised $61,000 & 9,500 lbs. of food towards our goal!

Donate food or a tax-deductible gift to help us end generational poverty for the people that we serve. Each donation goes towards a community member's unique path to prosperity!

Polar Express Brings Cheer

to Compass Early Learning Center

Compass Early Learning Center hosted their annual Polar Express family event December 8th. Thirty families came to enjoy the fun of hot chocolate, face painting, cookie decorating, ornament making and, if they wanted, they got to see Santa himself! We are so grateful to the teachers and Compass Directors for throwing such a spirited event for all!

Our friends at Bill C Brown Associates - Insurance Agent and Financial Representative - Insurance Agent and Financial Representative collected over 675 pounds of nonperishable food items to stock our shelves just in time for the holiday season! When they aren't busy helping people reach their financial and insurance goals they are giving back to communities they serve!

We are so grateful for our community partners at Bill C. Brown who have been helping us end generational poverty for the people we serve for the past 15 years! They have raised over 9,000 lbs in total!

FORVIS Provides Comfort & JOY

Our friends at FORVIS Bloomington came together to purchase coats for any child in need at Compass Early Learning Center. These coats were accompanied by hand knitted hats and arrived just in time for this cold Indiana weather. Brit Moreland, MCUM's board member along with Carol (pictured here) have been collecting coats for children at MCUM for as long as they can remember!

Thank you to everyone at FORVIS for providing some comfort and joy this holiday season! We are so grateful for you!

Merry Makers Support 43 MCUM Families

Thank you to our Merry Makers who sponsored 43 of our families at Compass and Your Path who needed a little extra help this holiday season. Each family was paired up with a community partner who purchased items from the families' wish list. Thank you for making this season a little merrier for the people we serve!

Volunteer Spotlight

Ted Wininger

Ted's volunteer anniversary is coming in January. This will be his FIVE-YEAR anniversary!

He began volunteering with us in 2019 and has stuck with us through all the madness and chaos that came with COVID-19. He volunteers with a weekly shift in the pantry, picking up our delicious Panera bread and doing the occasional odd job. This year Ted helped to re-build our flowerbed out front!

Other notable facts about Ted: He is also on the board of First United Church, he is actively involved every year with the voting polls, and he is one of the sweetest and kindest people you will ever meet.

MCUM Staff Updates

Congratulations to our Compass Early Learning Center Education Director, Stacy Jones on receiving her Master's Degree! Stacy now has a M.S.Ed. in Elementary Education with a concentration in Early Childhood Education from Indiana University! We are so proud of you!

Stacy has been in the field of Early Childhood Education for the past 20 years and with MCUM since 2016. It was here that she discovered her true passions lie in Early Childhood. She graduated with her BA in Educational Studies from Arizona State University and 2019 and was accepted into IU for her master's program that same year.

We are so fortunate to have dedicated teaching staff and directors that consider themselves lifelong learners and never too old to go back to school.

The Monroe County chapter of Church Women United (CWU) awarded its annual Valiant Woman Award to our Operations Director Shannon Hampton at their most recent meeting on December 11th.

The Valiant Woman Award honors a woman who has given service to CWU and her community for an extended period of time.

Shannon has been with MCUM for 17 years and has helped CWU administratively for just as long. Congratulations Shannon!

Thank you for your support.

Leave a legacy. Ask us about our planned giving or donate today!

Monroe County United Ministries

827 West 14th Court,

Bloomington, IN 47404

812-339-3429