Celebrating the Magic of Connection

Dear Friend,

Each year at Interfaith Works, our Faith and Community Partnerships (FCP) team leads our Magical Holiday Giving initiative—an effort that brings our community together to ensure our neighbors have what they need during the holiday season. And each year, I find myself genuinely moved by the generosity that emerges. 

Recently, while catching up with our FCP Director Roslyn Roberts, she shared stories of extraordinary kindness that truly capture the spirit of this season. 

When Roslyn shared our urgent need for winter supplies, longtime supporters David and Arceli Suley took it upon themselves to rally their community around a simple but critical need: sleeping bags. Through their outreach and determination, 468 sleeping bags were collected, bringing our total to more than 500 sleeping bags distributed to clients staying in our shelters, including the seasonal overflow program. For those facing cold nights, this gift provided warmth, safety, and dignity when it mattered most. 

Another inspiring example comes from Susan Heltemes, a dedicated volunteer and active community member. Susan regularly prepares meals for our shelter guests with a group of her friends, and this holiday season she went even further by organizing a festive holiday meal filled with care and abundance. In addition, she donated socks to every client at our Women’s Center at Taft, ensuring each person felt remembered. 

This generosity is overwhelming in the very best way. We know times are tough, and many in our community are weighed down by uncertainty and hardship. Stories like these remind us that we are stronger together. 

What these supporters are providing goes beyond food or winter supplies. They are offering hope, comfort, and joy during a season that can feel especially lonely. At Interfaith Works, we strive to create an environment of dignity, connection, and care—and that work is only possible because of people like you. 

No single act makes everything perfect. But together, these acts of compassion make a lasting impression of love. And for the neighbors we serve, that makes all the difference. 

Thank you for being part of this community of care. 

Sincerely,

Courtney Hall, CEO