December 12, 2025 – MySweetCharity – by Jeanne Prejean
According to Family Gateway volunteer Jack Betts,
“Family Gateway’s mission is to provide stability and life-changing supportive services to families with children experiencing homelessness. For several years my family has had the pleasure of supporting the organization as part of our commitment to the community.
“This holiday season, we need the community’s help to provide hope and joy to children experiencing homelessness and their families. This year, they anticipate serving at least 200 families and approximately 500 children through their holiday program.
“For children, experiencing homelessness has negative effects on their academic and social-emotional development. Children who are experiencing homelessness typically move at least one time annually until they become stabilized. Moving from place to place and living in highly stressful situations makes it difficult for children to explore, learn, and grow, putting them significantly behind their peers.
“At Family Gateway, their team works diligently every day to meet the needs of the children in our care. We know that a successful holiday program will bring hope and joy during a difficult time in their lives.
“Each year, they host the Hope For The Holiday‘s Holiday Store for the families in our care. Donated toys will be set up in a store format for families in our program to ‘shop’ for their children completely free of charge. This will be the 9th year hosting the Holiday Store for our families on Saturday, December 20.
“My hope is that like-minded corporations, organizations, neighborhood groups and places of worship to get involved by hosting last-minute toy drives, if time permits.
“The deadline to drop off new and unwrapped toys is Wednesday, December 17, or shop our wish list. But, online donations are welcome past the December 17th deadline!
“Family Gateway is also accepting monetary donations to support their holiday program. Gifts can be made at familygateway.org .”
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