The Holiday Season at MCUM

Happy holidays from all of us at Monroe County United Ministries!

Though Thanksgiving is still a week away, we’re already getting into the holiday spirit here at MCUM. In celebration of the season, we’ll be sharing some of our staff and interns' favorite holiday traditions and memories.

Kristina Bechtel, Fundraising Coordinator

“Every year my husband and two sons go to my mother’s house on Christmas Eve and watch Christmas movies. Once the kids are in bed we set up the living room and get ready for Santa to come. When we wake up in the morning my mom always makes biscuits and chocolate gravy!”

Katie Emery, Financial Services Coach

“I love Christmas! I always decorate immediately after Thanksgiving is over. On Christmas night my husband and I like to exchange Christmas pajamas, and we put stockings at the end of the bed for in the morning. And I have always loved going to Christmas plays like The Christmas Carol. My parents live in New Hampshire so I always mail them their stockings.”

Caitlyn Cotter, Client Advocacy Fellow

"When I was very young, my favorite holiday was New Year's Eve. My best friend would come over to spend the night and my family would throw a small party with close friends and family, and so there would be a bunch of kids my age that I got to play with. I think my favorite part was that I never had a bedtime and always ended up staying up later than the adults, which made me feel very grown up. We would also drink a million Shirley Temples, and it was super exciting not to get in trouble for having that much sugar, even if it always left me with a stomach ache."

Spreading Holiday Cheer

Providing Holiday Essentials

At MCUM, we proudly host our annual Family Gift and Food Basket programs to ensure local families can fully enjoy the holiday season. Through these initiatives, donors partner with families in our Compass program to provide them with holiday meals for the family and presents for their children.

When asked about the impact these programs had on them, a past recipient shared: “The first Christmas that I ever experienced [with MCUM] … I didn’t understand the impact it would have, but when I got [the food basket and gifts], I was in tears, I had never seen anything like it… The food, and the presents, and the gift card, and everything, I was almost hysterical. I couldn’t believe it.”

Last year, 43 families received food baskets and gifts. That's 43 families whose holiday season was a little brighter because of our amazing donors.

Every child and family deserves a joyful holiday season. We still have ONE family (size 6) left to sponsor - can you help us get them adopted by the end of the day? Click here to sign up.

Did you know?

Per child, the average family spends anywhere from $600 to $1,080 on diapers and wipes per year from the age of 1 until potty training.
By providing diapers and wipes at Compass we save families up to $500 a year!
Diapers cost $1500 per year for each Compass Class

Supporting Families in Need

As the holiday season approaches, many families are filled with joy and anticipation. However, this time of year can also bring additional financial stress, especially for those with young children.

The costs of essentials like diapers and wipes can add up quickly, placing a significant burden on household finances, which can make it difficult for families to enjoy this time of year. Compass Early Learning Center tries to alleviate some of this burden by providing wipes and diapers for children while they are in their care. This support allows families to focus on spending quality time together, knowing their little ones have what they need during their time at Compass.

By donating diapers and wipes to Compass Early Learning Center, you can ensure that the children in our care have access to these essential items. Your generosity will not only help Compass but will bring comfort and joy to families during the holiday season.

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Share Night at Culver's

Date: Wednesday, December 4th, 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Location: Bloomington Culver's, 1918 W 3rd St.

Join us for our annual Share Night at Culver's! 10% of the net sales from the entire day will be donated to Monroe County United Ministries. last year, thanks to your generosity and the generosity of the Culver's team, we raised over $700. Let's come together and exceed that amount this year!

Volunteer Opportunity

We're also seeking volunteers to help during the event. Volunteers must be at least 15 years old and be available from 4:45 to 8:00 PM on December 4th.

If you are interested in volunteering, please reach out to Krissy Bechtel, Fundraising Coordinator.

Make sure to stop by, enjoy some delicious food, and support MCUM in our mission to end generational poverty. Your support makes a difference!

Did you know?

Kwanzaa is not a religious holiday, but rather a celebration of African American culture and heritage. It was created to honor the values of family, community, and culture, and many people celebrate Kwanzaa alongside other religious holidays during the season.
The tradition of New Year’s Resolutions dates back over 4,000 years! The ancient Babylonians are credited with starting the practice, making promises to their gods at the start of each year to improve their lives.

Seeking Volunteers!

We are seeking volunteers to participate in interviews about their experiences with the Compass Early Learning Center and other MCUM programs. Interviews can be conducted over Zoom or through a self-recorded video, whichever you prefer.

If you’re interested or have questions, please reach out!

These interviews and recordings will support our Paths to Prosperity Fundraiser in February and may also be featured in our monthly e-newsletter. Our goal is to highlight the positive impact of our programs and secure additional funding to assist families in our community.

For questions or to express your interest, please contact:

Caitlyn Cotter, Client Advocacy Specialist.