The Philanthropy Files

The Holiday Season at the WCA is magical. Our building looks like Santa’s Workshop thanks to the generosity of our community. I am always awed and inspired by the sheer volume of people who step forward to support our clients. Hundreds of families and businesses are providing holiday gifts for 118 WCA families this year! Hundreds more are supporting our mission through donating items from our Giving Tree, and still more throughout the community are having holiday drives and fundraisers to benefit our clients. The coordination of the drop offs and pick ups is no small logistical task, so dozens of volunteers help us with the intake, sorting and distribution of items all month.

As I talk with and learn about the donors and volunteers, they share their reasons for giving back to our community, specifically the WCA. Some give back because they recognize their privilege they had in growing up in a home where they learned about heathy relationships and believe all individuals deserve that opportunity. Some give back because they have a family member or close personal friend who has been directly affected domestic abuse or sexual assault. Many are survivors themselves. I’m always moved when a former client thanks us for the opportunity to help someone else. Someone they don’t know personally, but with whom they share a story and a journey. Our former clients often tell me how when they were at their lowest point the kindness of strangers gave them hope. Now they are the ones giving hope.

“Hope is like the sun, which as we journey towards it, casts the shadow of our burden behind us.” ~ Samuel Smiles

Warmest wishes for a safe, healthy and happy holiday season.

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