Reliving our Christmas Carol Service and Santa’s Grotto
On December 19th 2023, in a heart-warming expression of generosity and festive cheer, YMCA Heart of England proudly presented their Christmas Carol Service and Santa’s Grotto event, as a culmination of the gift drive that had been running through November and December.
The event proved to be an unforgettable celebration of love and giving. The enchanting melodies of the Christmas Carol service, accompanied by the amazing and creative performances from local secondary schools, echoed through the air, setting the perfect backdrop for the joyous occasion.
Our Santa’s Grotto, a whimsical haven of delight, welcomed both the young and the young at heart. Laughter filled the air as our residents and their families experienced the magic of meeting Santa Claus and getting a present for their little ones from him. The joy of the children mirrored the warmth of the season, creating precious memories that will be cherished for years to come by everyone present.
CEO Pauline Tomlinson reflected on the meaning of the evening, considering how fortunate we were to be able to provide free gifts for the children and a lovely warm free meal for everyone attending. In her words: “I want to thank all those who were involved in pulling the event together, and for our wonderful business partners who donated so many gifts….and in particular to Rev. Emma Sykes of St Barnabas COE Erdington who delivered the Christmas message and of course Santa for turning up on the day too!”
“What made this event even more special” according to Elena Roselli, PR Manager for YMCA Heart of England and part of the planning of the gift drive and the event, “was the support received during our gift collection process.
Our deepest gratitude goes to our partner Mission Christmas, who provided all the presents for the little ones, and our amazing donors, who helped us spread the joy of Christmas through gifts for each and every one of our residents. Each donated gift became a symbol of hope and love, transforming the event into a powerful testament to the strength of community bonds.”
“It was a time to celebrate and remind us of the reason for the season, which is the birth of the Saviour Jesus Christ” said Rotimi Benjamin, the Christian Mission Coordinator, and part of the planning crew. “The event was a community occasion which was attended by staff of YMCA Heart of England, residents of YMCA and members in the community, including two secondary schools and a local nursery.”
Julia Nolan, the Head of Community and Youth Services and last member of the planning committee, weights in on the importance of the event, stating that: “It is always a pleasure to be able to apply and be granted the gift of giving. Christmas is a tough time for lots of families, especially this year, and to have another opportunity to get a team together, fill up many cars of presents, sing along and wrap the presents together, is what really humanizes the work that we do.
To see the look on the faces of children, catch up with the residents and break down barriers of the “normal” day-to-day conversations about their individual pressures. It creates an infectiously positive buzz around all who are involved here at the YMCA Heart of England.”
The evening was enlivened by the food and refreshments provided by our partner 2MuchPassion, who helped make the night even more magical through the power of good food and great conversation! As a look back to this magical night, our hearts are filled with gratitude for everyone who contributed to making it a success. Together, we created an evening that not only celebrated the joy of the season, but also made meaningful impact on the lives of others.
We look forward to many more meaningful events together.
