What would it be like to make it an annual tradition to come to Appalachia every December, bearing gifts to families in need?  Can you imagine delivering presents to families who expected nothing under their tree?

This is exactly what Rich and Barb Layer have been doing for ten years.

Rich and Barb Layer first began their service as long term volunteers in 2002-2003.  Rich served in Family Advocacy, and Barb in the Child Development Center.  Though their time eventually came to an end as long term volunteers, their hearts longed to continue to help the families they had served everyday for 13 months.

They had an idea.  “Why don’t we ask our Sunday School class at Killearn United Methodist Church to help us provide Christmas gifts to families in Appalachia?”  And every year since, Rich, Barb, and their Sunday School class in Tallahassee, Florida have been supplying presents to families in need.

“Barbara and I are grateful to our Sunday School class and CAP for their generosity.  We are so blessed,” says Rich. Rich and Barb have come back every year to Rockcastle County as short-term volunteers to hand-deliver their gifts and help process the Christmas boxes received from across the country for families in Appalachia.

Last year they sponsored two families.  Both families are from Rockcastle County and are single moms with two pre-school age children.  The children attend the Child and Family Development Center.

As is yearly tradition, CAP has several Christmas services and distributions for families in the counties served.  Rich always recites the Christmas story and often, there is singing and treats.  After the service, boxes are distributed and parents are able to go home knowing that their children will have presents under the tree.

Unfortunately, the burden of the holiday season can be unbearable for people living in poverty.  So many parents desire to give their children a special present, but simply don’t have the means.  Though Christmas is not about giving gifts, but rather the birth of our Savior, it means so much to the families in Appalachia to have a morning like so many around the world.  They are blessed by the kind hearts of people like Rich, Barb, and their Sunday School class who give so families might have a brighter Christmas.

Family Advocacy is a year-round program, meeting needs such as housing, emergency assistance, and school readiness.  Christmas baskets is one service of CAP’s Family Advocacy Program.  Over 700 families are served each year through this program, which involves a year-round effort.  As quickly as one season passes, preparations for a new season begin.  By early in the summer, donors and program staff are already pairing with families in need to provide help during the holiday season.  Your support is vital to ensure the needs of families are met throughout the year.  Thank you for all you do.

Throughout the year, CAP celebrates the coming of each season and holiday.  Teachers and volunteers at the Child and Family Development Centers take the opportunity in winter to have children help decorate the Christmas tree and pass out valentines.  In springtime children can plant flowers, and in summer practice their patriotism.  Last October, the Child Development Center celebrated autumn with a field trip to a pumpkin patch, trick-or-treating, and a Fall Festival.

Princesses, farmers, and super heroes filled the Community Center one evening as the children arrived in costume to our Fall Festival celebration.  Parents were invited to spend the evening with their child playing games and winning prizes.  The evening began with a meal for the families and then the festivities started!  Stations were set up with a variety of activities such as Tic-Tac-Toe, bean bag toss, rubber duck hunt, ring toss, and balancing games.  Children could also have their face painted or nails polished.

In all, 82 people attended.  It was a great opportunity for families to have a fun night out and not have to worry about any expenses.

The littlest things can mean so much to a child — whether it be a night out with their family, a small prize from tossing a bean bag in a bucket, or a painted animal on their cheek.  We are very fortunate for the work that we do and the small impact we are able to make on the children who attend our center.  Please join us in doing all that we can to support them by breaking the cycle of poverty and creating a brighter future.

This year was another successful year for our Christmas Baskets program.  Our president, Guy Adams, joined the distribution in Jackson County.  The program began with a Christmas service.  Participants were invited to sing carols and hear a recitation of the Christmas story.  Afterward, boxes were given out to each family and senior.  Volunteers from an area high school, CAP employees, and Guy were amidst the boxes, waiting to find the appropriate gifts to carry out to participant’s cars to bring home for Christmas.

Please watch and enjoy the video of our Jackson County Christmas Basket distribution.

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