Waxahachie Congregation Donates 250 Gifts for Foster Children

The children of Benevolent House in Red Oak, Texas, will enjoy a brighter Christmas this year thanks to a Light the World effort of two Just Serve specialists and a Waxahachie congregation of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

JustServe specialists Chelsea Ashdown and Kalie Knaras organized an Angel Tree at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Waxahachie to provide church members the opportunity to donate Christmas gifts for foster children at the Benevolent House, a foster child-placement agency that seeks to connect steadfast, loving foster families to children in need of stronger foundations.

Over 250 gift items were collected for the 54 children sponsored. In addition, 43 blankets and 30 bedding items, socks, and stuffed animals were also donated. Families from all three congregations attending the Waxahachie church participated by selecting a child’s name with a Christmas wish list from the Angel Tree, then purchasing items from the child’s list.

Knaras said she was delighted with the overwhelming response from the members. “People were very generous and treated the children like one of their own family members,” she said.

Among the many gifts were three new bikes, hoverboards, new shoes, clothes, and a computer. All who participated enjoyed the opportunity to share the spirit of Christmas with these children in foster care.

Benevolent House was founded in 2016 by educators Christopher and Tanya Orr in response to a critical need they perceived after adopting their daughter in 2009. The Benevolent House Facebook page states:

“We are incredibly proud and eager to advocate on behalf of our most vulnerable children and provide steadfast, loving foster families to children in need of stronger foundations. We know the work we do is difficult, heart-wrenching, and challenging. Yet, It is also fulfilling and rewarding work that strengthens families and communities. We look forward to a brighter future for our children.” 

Service opportunities abound on Justserve.org, a website dedicated to connecting organizations in need of volunteers and community members seeking to serve close to their own communities. Organized by zip code, JustServe makes finding a project for a day— or even longer—easy.  

The Waxahachie 1st Ward (congregation) of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints meets at 2418 Brown Street in Waxahachie, Texas. Currently, Sunday morning meetings begin at 9 am.