After 2 years of hiatus, we are back to hosting the Holiday Foster Dinner! It is on Friday, December 2, 2022 -- from 5:30pm to 7:30pm, in partnership with North Olympic Foster Parents Association. Read on to learn about the Dinner, and what you can do to support what has become a wonderful Christmas tradition for so many. DCC Adults Pastor, Lance Lewis, will be this year's MC, with the support of DCC Family Ministries Pastor, Britt Hemphill, who has done much to help us organize the event and secure funds.
A Longstanding Community Event
Since 2013, DCC has provided a location and support for North Olympic Foster Parents Association to host their annual Holiday dinner for interested foster families in Sequim, Port Angeles, Forks and other communities in the region. This event began as a thank you for foster parents who provide love and a home for the many deserving children.
We will have a traditional turkey dinner, with all the fixing, including a chocolate fountain for dessert, which is being provided by a volunteer. Emma Gockerell is providing face painting for all the children! Sunbonnet Sue’s quilting group sews a special Christmas stocking for every single foster child, which are filled by Sequim Community Church.
Meeting the Ongoing Needs
This is not a Christian event per-say. But by the role we play, the kindnesses we show, we pray good things will come from this outreach.This year we are adding a clothing drive to help keep NFOPA’s clothing closet for foster kids adequately funded. In addition to what is offered through this event, the Food Bank often provides a box of extra food for foster families.
What We Need
- First, we covet your prayers, that foster families will be able to come to this years dinner. In our region, there are close to 200 students in the foster care system, which is more than in pre-covid years. It’s difficult for families to come long distances for this dinner. We need ongoing prayers for some of the children who still need families, along receptive and loving hearts to help these kids heal from past trauma in their lives.
- Secondly, we need monetary donations: DCC has generously offered to help NFOPA put on this dinner this year– however if you would like to help provide additional financial assistance it would be much appreciated. For example: Money can be used to purchase gift cards for teenswho desire to pick clothing items out for themselves.
- We need Elves in the flesh! We are recruiting “Elves” to sign up to help make this event a success! Elves help with setting up the auditorium-with tables, chairs, decorating, making centerpieces, setting tables, serving families, and after the dinner helping with clean up, and putting tables away, etc. If you’d still like to help and haven’t signed up, contact Jacque Schaafsma.
- Also, in the Church foyer, are tags and a red collection basket for our underwear drive to help out NFOPA’s clothing closet. Often it is the case that Children don’t have clothing or personal things when they are moved. The Clothing Closet helps provide a family with items to help kids right away. If you’d like to help with this, we are asking for new underwear for children (size 2-14), both boys and girls. Please bring back any donation to the red basket in the foyer by November 13th so we can offer these items before the dinner.
Thank you For Your Support!
Thanks again for volunteering and learning about this outreach ministry! The needs of foster kids and families are huge and underserved; we are grateful for this opportunity. Participating really puts you in the Christmas spirit and brings joy to foster children and their families!
In appreciation - Jacque Schaafsma
If you would like to help with this event please contact Jacque Schaafsma or contact the church office
Dungeness Community Church