The bulletin board during Advent was a reminder to bring in items for the Reverse Advent Calendar.
Haylie Moran, Day Program Coordinator, helped the residents get into the giving spirit during Advent this year with a new initiative. She challenged not only the residents, but the staff as well to participate in a “Reverse Advent” Calendar. The concept is simple, instead of getting a gift or treat each day during Advent, a gift was given.
Haylie worked with Faith in Action in Chelsea to find out what non-perishable foods they needed in the pantry. On each day throughout Advent, people brought in the item listed for that day.
Haylie and other staff in the Day Program were pleasantly surprised at the number of goods that were donated. Community members who visited even donated during the days leading up to Christmas.
On January 10, 2023, Haylie and Brad Crosier, a direct care worker at St. Louis Center, helped the residents load the food into the van. Once everything was loaded, they delivered everything to Faith in Action.
The residents were very excited to help deliver the items. Faith in Action was just as excited to receive such an amazing donation.
Haylie is planning additional food drives to help the residents continue to do their part in helping out the community that is so generous to others.
This article appears in the Winter 2023 issue of St. Louis Spirit newsletter.
You can read it online or download the issue in its entirety here.
