A Season of Community and Creativity
Every October, our Community Engagement team, in partnership with all of our programs, sets out on a holiday quest to make sure the children and families in all of Crossnore’s programs are well supported and feel the full magic of the season. The voyage is full of roadblocks: limited stock of favorite items, tight timelines, last-minute referrals, and wishlists that grow faster than our sleigh can fly. Yet with every obstacle, our team digs a little deeper, gets a little more creative, and most importantly, rallies our community of donors, churches, businesses, and caring neighbors to help turn hurdles into hope. Together, we work to ensure that by the time the holidays arrive, every child we serve is surrounded by warmth, wonder, and the joyful feeling of being remembered.
Gratitude That Lasts Beyond the Holidays
In January, we sit back in awe (and joyful exhaustion) as we remember the countless individuals, families, organizations, churches, and civic groups who linked arms with us to make the season shine. Because of you, living rooms were filled with laughter, stockings were stuffed with surprises, and children across all of Crossnore’s programs felt seen, valued, and deeply cared for. To all of our Holiday Helpers, thank you for wrapping our children and families in warmth, wonder, and the kind of magic that lingers long after the lights are taken down.
Avery Campus Highlights
Holiday Giving by the Numbers
Our giving registries, including Amazon and Benevolist Registries, are coordinated through the Avery Office. This year, almost $27,000.00 of items were donated to children, programs, and families! That total included fulfilling wishes specifically requested by 94 children living in on-campus Foster Care in Avery or Winston-Salem, and many other children in other programs.
Full-Circle Moments: When Former Residents Give Back
Each year, we have the privilege of receiving donations from amazing groups and individuals. This year, we were especially touched to receive gifts from several former residents. We do not know the impact we have on a child’s life until they return, often many years later. An amazing woman who lived with us during her childhood returned with gifts for the kids living here now. Meanwhile, we look forward annually to a former student sharing her homemade jams and fresh fruits with the Cottages and children. These connections across the years build the tapestry of support that shines throughout all our communities during the Holidays.
A Special Surprise from the Joey Logano Foundation
While we cannot possibly list every organization that helped us reach our goal to provide holiday support through all our programs this year, a special thank you goes out to the Joey Logano Foundation! They surprised the Avery and Winston-Salem campuses with gift bags for each child! Not only did each child receive a reusable duffle bag, but the bag was filled with age-appropriate gifts and surprises. This kid-specific gift is one of the many ways that Joey and his team have supported us.
Winston-Salem Campus Highlights
A Community-Wide Celebration of Generosity
We enjoyed another truly wonderful holiday season, filled with love, generosity, and meaningful traditions – made possible by our Winston-Salem community and neighbors across the region. As with each of our Crossnore communities, families, businesses, churches, DAR chapters, and community groups came together to help fulfill wish lists and meet holiday cottage needs across all programs. Even our campus dogs got in on the celebration with visits and gifts from Santa!
Thoughtful Gifts, Personal Connections
The care and thoughtfulness behind each gift were remarkable. The Westwood Garden Club provided stockings for nearly 100 children, each one assembled with a specific child in mind. Centenary UMC delivered more than 100 pairs of pajamas, ensuring children across all Crossnore Communities were cozy and cared for with each package meticulously wrapped. One longtime partner church hosted a “Baby Shower for Jesus,” delivering a generous supply of much-needed baby items that absolutely delighted our Homebuilders program. Donors didn’t just shop from the wish lists they received – they wanted to know the children behind their lists. Many called us while shopping, eager to ask questions, clarify details, and to make sure they chose something that would truly delight the child they were supporting. Through these conversations, relationships were formed. By the time the gifts were delivered, it felt as though the donors had known our children for years.
Creativity that Sparked Joy
Our community’s creativity and intention are always impressive. We received funds and gift cards that made special outings and activities possible. The Western Forsyth Rotary Club delivered baskets filled with goodies, games, and crafts for every cottage in both our Bridging Families™ and Residential programs – thoughtfully timing their delivery on a day school was cancelled due to bad weather. The excitement was immediate, and the staff were deeply appreciative. Also, thanks to Blue Door Real Estate, one family received a joyful sprinkling of gifts for every member of their household.
New Friends at the Friendly Barnyard
And then there’s the Friendly Barnyard. This holiday season, two sheep – Rebecca and Sarah – joined the farm, given to us by Joel Tauber, who is now clearly part of the Crossnore family (even though he does go home at night…we think). The girls’ arrival opened the barn door to a few more beloved animals, including a guardian Great Pyrenees named Lucy. We will be starting the new year with a wonderful new gang at the Friendly Barnyard, thanks to our supportive community.
The Elves Behind the Scenes
We also want to recognize the many “elves” who worked behind the scenes. The RJR High School Girls Club wrapped gifts late into the night. Other groups organized toys for our “North Pole,” a shared space where programs and partner agencies can gather gifts for children. The WS Floral Association decorated spaces chosen by the cottages, gifting the beautiful decorations that the children can use for years to come. Their holiday spirit and delicious cookies shared with the children just after bath time truly kicked off the holiday season.
The Lasting Impact of a Caring Community
As we often share, our community may not fully realize the difference they make in the lives of children at Crossnore. Their generosity, care, and genuine relationships bring immeasurable joy and create memories our children will treasure for a lifetime.
Charlotte/Metrolina Region Highlights
Kicking Off the Season in Charlotte
Crossnore kicked off the season in our Metrolina region with an invitation to join Covenant Presbyterian at their annual Alternative Gift Market in Charlotte. This event features and supports artisans, nonprofits, and communities both locally and globally. We were honored to be part of this impactful tradition, and to showcase our mission and the beautiful handmade items created by our very own Crossnore Weavers!
Local Partners Making a Difference
A special local thank you to the Mecklenburg Chapter, NSDAR for their renewed support and the GIO Foundation for their new support! The GIO Foundation (which encourages kids to “Go Inspire Others”) provided us with games for family fun baskets this season. The Mecklenburg Chapter thoughtfully filled many of our children’s specific wishes, and also provided beautiful handmade knitted fidget toys for therapeutic needs.
Looking Ahead: Growing to Serve More Families
There are exciting developments in the Charlotte region: by next fall, we plan to have several Bridging Families™ homes serving children and families in the Greater Charlotte area. As Crossnore expands, so do our needs to meet all of those we serve where they are and to support them toward a bright future. We hope you’ll stay engaged with us, cheer us on, and support us however feels right to you through this expansion (and beyond!). We can’t wait to spread the love to our Metrolina families next holiday season!
Hendersonville Campus Highlights
Meeting Wishes Near and Far
In Hendersonville, the holiday spirit arrived early this year! Early November, we sent out 98 holiday wish lists to local business partners and supporters across the country. Each list was an assortment of the biggest and smallest of wishes from the children and families in our WNC Crossnore programs.
Longstanding Partners, Lasting Impact
We’re deeply grateful to our local partners who help meet these wishes year after year. AdventHealth Hendersonville, one of our very first holiday wish list sponsors back in 2019, continues to be a steadfast supporter. Over the last seven years they’ve fulfilled the wishes of more than 225 children! This season, we’re also thankful for the continued generosity of Stuller Power Solutions, Asheville Regional Airport, and Optimum Internet, who helped make the holidays brighter for all of our families.
Celebrating Together: The Holiday Extravaganza
Our Hendersonville community also celebrated together at the 5th Annual Holiday Extravaganza, co-hosted with Foster Family Alliance of NC, Buncombe County DHHS, Heartprint Resources, Biltmore Church, and Brevard First United Methodist Church. Held at the newly opened Big Air Trampoline Park in Asheville, this joyful event welcomed more than 260 foster, kinship, and adoptive family members. The largest turnout yet! It was an evening filled with laughter, connection, and encouragement for families from NINE WNC counties.
Handmade Gifts and Heartfelt Support
We also felt the love through thoughtful gifts from near and far, including handmade stockings, gift cards, Amazon wish list purchases, and beautifully crafted knitted and knotted blankets. Our heartfelt thanks go to our local and national DAR and CAR chapters for their continued outpouring of care and creativity.
Grant Support Creating Shared Experiences
Lastly, Crossnore – Hendersonville is especially thankful to Hendersonville First United Methodist Church for their Local Mission grant. Thanks to their quick grant support, children and families in our Hendersonville, Saluda, and Spindale Bridging Families™ homes were able to enjoy local holiday attractions and share special shopping experiences with the reunifying caregivers of the children in their homes.
With Deep Gratitude, Thank You
In closing, whether you purchased a gift from our Amazon wish list, organized a toy drive, wrapped gifts, knit, knotted or sewed a blanket, mailed a check or gift card, or one of the other many ways to support Crossnore, we thank you with deep gratitude for making this season shine.
Cheers to YOU and a bright, happy, and healthy year to come!
