This year our Chattanooga office opted for a different approach to their holiday party. Sales Manager Cole McGown and his wife Amanda hosted the holiday party in their home this year and instead of a gift exchange, they opted to adopt a family from the Building Stable Lives Program. The family they adopted consists of a single father raising 4 children ages 17, 12, 5 and 3. The father was out of work for a long time and just recently gained part-time employment. According to their caseworker these children would not have received anything for Christmas without our help. “It was very humbling to see their wish lists. Items like underwear, shoes and coats….things that most of us take for granted.” Melinda Spence, Office Manager expressed.
A gift wrap table was set up at the party for the children in attendance to wrap the gifts. “It was a heart-warming experience to see these kids so excited to make sure that this family had a Merry Christmas. This is my 4th Christmas party at Capital Financial Group and the 1st where we have done something like this. Everyone in the office was eager to participate either with gift or monetary donations. We were able to give each child everything on their lists plus a gift card for groceries!” said Melinda. The event was such a great hit, the team is excited to see the tradition continue for years to come.
Partnership for Families Children and Adults (PFCA) serves as the lead agency for United Way of Greater Chattanooga’s Building Stable Lives program. The goal is to decrease the cycle of poverty that has trapped vulnerable families and individuals living in our communities.
By assisting individuals and families with their immediate needs and then helping link them to appropriate housing, employment, counseling, education and support services, Building Stable Lives participants develop social and economic independence.
Through this project, these communities aim to be a model of the way in which community collaboration and resources can be brought together to affect permanent change in the lives of its citizens in need.
CRN201912-223531