Caring Candles

Catching up...

2011-02-07T16:31:00.002-05:00

Wow! Sorry it's been so long since this site has been updated. Here's the scoop from the past few months...

NOVEMBER PARTY:

Just a quick note to let you know that our party this evening was a big success! The kids loved making their Trees of Thanks, learning a few turkey songs (and singing them gloriously lots of times!), making turkey puppets and leaf pins. The older kids helped us add the ingredients for the Blessings Mix. Most fun of all was the look on both of the birthday girls' faces when they opened their gifts -- priceless!

This party could not have come together and run as smoothly without help from many hands. A big thank you to everyone who shopped and prepped for this party, and thank you to the volunteers who came out tonight to help host the party.

Also, as you may recall, we are alternating party nights between Mondays and Wednesdays as I got a mixed response for a good party night for everyone. In the interest of being fair, I hope that this will give everyone an opportunity to participate. I know that the parties every month will not always work with everyone's schedule, but there are plenty of things to do behind the scenes if you can't come to Hope House in person on a party night.

DECEMBER PARTY:

Wow! What a great party tonight! Tara Scheyer gave an amazing performance for the kids -- our birthday boy, along with the other kids were jamming with lots of fun shaking instruments and bells. They all looked so cute with their antlers and jingle bell necklaces, too. Then we had a special surprise when the Chick-fil-A cow showed up in his Santa costume! The Cow also brought a tray of chicken, lots of coupons for the kids and moms, and a special surprise for the birthday boy. A special thanks to all of the volunteers who showed up tonight to help with the party, and another round of applause goes to all of the volunteers who helped (a lot!) behind the scenes this month. Your time and efforts are appreciated more than you know!

It's hard for me to believe that tonight was our 23rd party as a ministry--time does fly! I cannot thank you enough for your support and commitment to this mission. I wish all of you could have been in the kitchen with me tonight when the birthday boy's mom (who could not be there for the party because she had to work and could not get out of it) came in to personally thank us for everything we did for her son. She said she saw him in the hallway and he was so happy. She gave me a hug, which I did not expect. A very pleasant surprise. It occurred to me more than once tonight how lucky we are that during this season of Christmas, we get to truly experience Peace, Love, Hope and Joy through the mission of Caring Candles -- I hope all of these stay with you in the coming days and throughout the next year as we continue in this ministry together.

JANUARY PARTY:

Just a quick note to tell you that last night's party was SNOW much fun! The sisters Gamma Gamma Sorority of the Alpha Delta Kappa chapter were very generous and gracious hostesses. We could tell a lot of time, thought and energy went into their preparations! The kids loved the snow theme -- and they went out of their way to make the birthday boy feel very special. We especially appreciate their flexibility, too, for going with the flow when we found out that one of the birthday children was not present and that we had 4 additional kids! That is just how it goes, which is why we're always prepared for any circumstance ;)

Next up for Caring Candles: February Birthday Party and our 2nd Annual Great Cake Giveaway!!

September Party Update

2010-10-07T08:28:00.000-04:00

Just a quick note to let you know that our party last night went very well! The kids enjoyed shopping with their tickets to make up their own goody bags. Everyone loved playing Bingo, making crafts and scarecrow cookies, too.

A special thanks to all of the Caring Candles volunteers who came to help out to make everything run smoothly!

August Party Update

2010-10-07T08:27:00.000-04:00

Last night's party was a great success! All six birthday kids had a great time and LOVED their presents, balloons and badges -- all of the extra things we do to help make the birthday kids feel extra special! We also got to work with new people from Hope House for the first time --- it was a very positive exchange all around. One of the new changes is that all of the moms and kids wore name tags, which was very helpful for us. We look forward to working with all of them to make the parties even better for the kids and our volunteers.

July Party Update

2010-10-07T08:24:00.001-04:00

Just a quick note to let you know that we had a "whale" of a good time last night at our sea-themed birthday party! Special thanks to all of our volunteers who came to decorate, play and help with crafts, cake and clean-up. You're the best!

June Party Update

2010-10-07T08:23:00.000-04:00

Wow! What a wild night: we started with a monsoon and it didn't let up from there--we stayed very busy all evening. Everyone seemed to have a good time, as usual, and that's what counts! A special thanks to all of the Caring Candles volunteers who braved flooded roads and soggy shoes to come out and party with us!

A few words from Hope House...

2010-06-30T16:16:00.003-04:00

Here is a letter we received from Hope House last year:

"The children and mothers at Hope House are very grateful for the parties brought to our facility by the Caring Candles ministry at Wesley. Many of our children had never experienced a party especially for children. They have come from environments where children are just supposed to stay out of the way. They are in awe of all the trouble these folks have gone to to bring them joy. Every party has been a hit with special crafts and foods. We even had a fabulous magician one time! [now it's been twice ;] The children and mothers were entranced by the magic -- they still talk about it.

"Our children are very special to us, of course. They've come to us from homes where their lives were full of uncertainty and the adults unpredictable. We provide a safe, supportive environment where children can reach their full potential. We've watched children who have never spoken start talking. We've watched babies who were developmentally delayed catch up and surpass the normal expectations. We had one little boy recently tell his mother that there are no monsters at Hope House like there were at his old house. He told her he's in a safe place now.

"That's our goal. We want all the children to feel that Hope House is a safe place with adults they can trust. The people who come from Wesley are great role models for that. Thank you for letting our children know how special they are, and that it can be fun to be a kid."

May 2010 Party Update

2010-06-30T16:14:00.001-04:00

Wow! What a night of magic and fun! As usual, Magic Mike was the consummate showman, even with his microphone on the fritz. He delighted and surprised even the most skeptical audience members. As is often the case for the kids who come to Hope House, there is an absence of positive male role models in their lives. We are happy that Magic Mike could bring such joy to them while he was there.

Special thanks to all of the volunteers who helped with last night's party. Thank you so much! Last night could not have happened without your help.

There are several birthdays coming up for the kids at Hope House over the next few months, so there will be lots of fun to come!!

April 2010 Party Update

2010-06-30T16:13:00.000-04:00

The Garden Party at Hope House was a very fun and happy event, even more so because of you! The kids seemed to really enjoy playing Musical Lily Pads and Foot Volleyball, planting their own "grassheads" and making handprint flowers on the two paper murals. The fresh veggies, dip, cheese, crackers and dirt cakes were a big hit, too! The especially loved the worms ;)

A special thanks to our volunteers for coming to the prep meeting, making snacks, purchasing items, and/or helping out at the party!!

March 2010 Party Update

2010-04-01T14:13:00.001-04:00

A big special thank you to the Me, My Spouse & God Sunday School class for planning and preparing last night's party. A special thanks to Sarah W. for coordinating everything with her group. More thanks go to Joanne, Phyllis and our newest Caring Candles volunteer (who is also part of the MMS&G) Lisa. Thank you for taking the time to come and help with all of the carnival games, craft and food! The birthday kids felt extra special with the personalized banners, gorgeous cake, name candles and little mementos just for them. THANK YOU!!

For April, I am confirming that there are no birthdays next month. It's always changing, so that's why we'll be prepared to do something fun. We will tentatively plan the party for 4/28, unless I hear otherwise.

Thank you again for all of your love and support--we get it back one thousand-fold in all of those big smiles at Hope House!

February 2010 Party Update

2010-02-24T22:00:00.001-05:00

A very special evening that the kids and their moms will remember for a long time. A big thank you to all of our fabulous volunteers for helping tonight and to those who came last week to prepare tonight's craft; it really helped! We would also like to give a really big round of applause to the Praise Band -- we were all truly impressed with the generosity of time and talent they shared with us this evening. What a gift!

Please stay tuned for March party details as they become available.

January 2010 Party Update

2010-01-28T08:09:00.001-05:00

Wow! What a fun evening!! I think the birthday girl had a blast! A special thank you to all of the volunteers who came over on Monday night to prep for tonight's festivities--we were well prepared! And, a big thank you to all of the volunteers who came tonight to help with everything at Hope House and for your generous donations of cake and gifts. You guys rock!!

As of yet, there are no February birthdays, so we will plan something fun. I will confirm a date with Hope House and get back to you with that info.

Thanks again for all of your efforts!!

December Party Update

2010-01-27T14:40:00.001-05:00

BIG Wesley Hugs to Lara Reeves and her Sisters from the Omicron Chapter of Alpha Delta Kappa for sponsoring and hosting the December Caring Candles birthday party at Hope House. You made a little boy's birthday dreams come true! Thank you for your generosity and warm spirits!

November Party Update

2010-01-27T14:38:00.001-05:00

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving party at Hope House this evening. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU to all of our volunteers who came tonight and other volunteers who donated their time (cutting paper turkey parts) and (culinary) talents to help us get things ready. The kids and moms were very appreciative for everything Caring Candles did for them tonight--there were lots of laughs and smiles all around.

When I am sitting around the Thanksgiving table at my aunt and uncle's house in Pennsylvania next Thursday, I will be saying a special prayer of thanks for everything you have done to help grow this Wesley ministry. It could not be done without you!! For this, I am very grateful.

October Party Update

2009-11-13T14:17:00.001-05:00

Just a quick note to let you know that tonight's party was GREAT! The kids and moms had a great time with all of the games, crafts and yummy snacks! Everyone loved the mini cupcakes, ghost cookies and fall sprinkle Rice Krispies treats. A big special thanks to all of our volunteers who came out to help with the party.

Our next party is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, November 18. We will check in with Hope House next week to see if there are any November birthdays. They are expecting some new kids soon.

Thank you for your help and support!!

September Party Update

2009-10-21T15:30:00.004-04:00

Just a quick note to let you know that our Fall Fun Party went well...the moms and kids made three crafts (leaf rubbings, woodland creature magnets and leaf placemats), plus one of our volunteers made a fun snack of Jello leaf wigglers, "leaf piles," and pretzels. The kids also got to take home goody bags with more fun fall stuff. A special thanks to everyone who came to help at the party! it's great that so many new volunteers are interested in getting involved with Caring Candles!

Our First Mission Minute!

2009-09-16T14:28:00.002-04:00

This past Sunday was a great opportunity to share the Caring Candles mission with the Wesley congregation and let them know what we've been up to these past few months. We had lots of people express an interest in becoming a part of this mission -- we are so excited to have new volunteers. Welcome and Thank You!

August Birthday Party at Hope House

2009-08-20T10:18:00.000-04:00

We had an "apple-licious" time at the Caring Candles party for the August birthday kids at Hope House. Unfortunately, one of the birthday girls was sick, but we saved her and her family some cake, goody bags and her present. The rest of us decorated foam apple magnets, played Pin the Apple on the Apple Tree, ran an apple relay race and created art with real apple prints. The birthday kids loved their presents, too!

A special thank you to our volunteers for coming over to help prepare the goody bags, donating the yummy cake and for helping at the party, too! The kids (and moms) seemed to really enjoy all of the attention! Having more hands to help decorate, play games/prep crafts and clean up is very appreciated!!

Our Hope House contact is out of town now until the end of August, so as soon as we hear from her when she gets back we will have more details for our September party.

In the meantime, our Mission Minute Sunday is coming up on September 13.

Thank you for all of your support, time and efforts on behalf of Caring Candles!!

July Party

2009-07-16T11:15:00.001-04:00

Last night's party was another great success! Our one-year-old birthday girl really seemed to enjoy her celebration -- and we hope it is just one of many wonderful memories to come in her life for her and her mom. A special thank you to our volunteers for leading songs, crafts and story times. The cake was donated, too!!

Our next party is scheduled for Wednesday, August 19--mark your calendars!

Our Mission Minute is Coming!

2009-07-14T12:45:00.001-04:00

The Caring Candles Mission Minute has been scheduled for Sunday, September 13. We will be briefly speaking at each of the five services that morning about what we do as a ministry. We will also host a table in the lobby where people can stop and talk to us more about what we do and how they can get involved. Look for the BIG birthday cake!

June Party

2009-06-25T07:47:00.003-04:00

Our June Birthday Party at Hope House was a great success! Boy Scout Pack 686 sponsored the evening complete with Kindermusik class, Dora pinata and fun-filled goody bags. We also had new volunteers join in on the fun. Now we'll start planning the July party!

Welcome to Caring Candles!

2009-06-05T16:22:00.001-04:00

We're a mission of Wesley, UMC in Evans, Georgia. Here, you'll find the latest dates for upcoming events and meetings. We'll also share round-ups from our latest parties at Hope House.