For more than 20 years, First Parish has been making the holidays brighter for mothers and children who have survived domestic violence. Working with REACH Beyond Domestic Violence, parishioners purchase Christmas gifts that mothers identify for their children and themselves.
The project is called “Undecorate The Tree” because the gift suggestions are written on paper candy canes that decorate a Christmas tree placed in the Vestry at First Parish. Parishioners are encouraged to take a candy cane or two, purchase the specified gifts, and return them to First Parish by Sunday, November 30.
Mothers often ask for gift cards, paper products, cleaning supplies, and toiletries, as well as warm hats and gloves for themselves and their children. They may have left an abusive situation with only the clothes on their backs.
Their children ask for toys, puzzles, cars, trucks, dolls and more. Fulfilling their wishes delivers material support and an emotional boost these victims need to face enormous challenges.
Last year, the generosity of our First Parish community shone brightly. Gift cards totaled nearly $3,000 and there were countless bags filled with games, Legos, blocks, dolls, puzzles, crafts, books, hats, gloves, PJs, socks, along with toiletries, rolls and rolls of toilet paper, and wrapping paper, so that mothers can wrap their children’s gifts themselves.