Jennifer Jenkinson, Development Director, Cumberland Youth and Family Services
Betty Davis
At our most recent quarterly luncheon, the Wildhorse Lady Niners selected Cumberland Youth and Family Services to support as our holiday charity. Those attending had the opportunity to hear Jennifer Jenkinson, Development Director, share that Cumberland offers a compassionate community for those in need of a safe place to call home by supporting children, youth, young adults, and families with stable housing, counseling, and supportive services, which are age-appropriate and personalized to meet individual, specific needs.
The Christmas season is upon us. Most of us reading this are blessed to be able to spend the holidays with our families and for our ability to purchase gifts from the wish lists of our grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and/or any special children in our life. Unfortunately, not all have this opportunity. Permit me to share a personal story …
I never knew my grandfather. He died when my father was five years old in 1924. There were five siblings left for their 21-year-old mother to raise alone. She had no skills or training, so she had to make a tough choice. The three oldest boys went to an orphanage, and the youngest two children went to my grandfather’s sister and her husband to raise.
My father had lots of stories of orphanage life—some humorous and some heartbreakingly sad. The one that has stuck with me all of my life is the story of one Christmas when he was about nine years old. The people of Charlotte, N.C., collected gifts, wrapped them, and took them to the orphanage for the children. That year, my father received a box marked “Boy” on the gift tag. Imagine his reaction as a young boy excitedly opening the singular gift he would receive only to find inside a slip and bra intended for a girl. He was resourceful, though, and found an older resident at the orphanage and sold the set to her for a quarter. That was his entire Christmas that year.
Together we can all make a difference. If you still have some Christmas cheer to spread and you are looking for a way to honor a family member or special friend, please consider donating to this wonderful organization. You can donate securely online by going to cumberlandservices.org or by purchasing gift cards in $25 increments from Amazon, Walmart, Target, or Visa and delivering them to Cumberland Youth and Family Services at 909 Greenlee Street, Denton, Texas. The gift cards will allow the staff to purchase Christmas gifts for the precious children in their care. There are also volunteer opportunities to sort and wrap Christmas presents. If you are handy with wrapping paper, tape, and scissors, why not give them a call at 940-382-5112 to see when you can give a helping hand? It may be the best gift you receive this Christmas! Merry Christmas to all!