The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra and Children's Bureau have partnered to bring holiday joy to Indiana families facing financial hardship this season. Our campaign for donors to purchase $10 Duke Energy Yuletide Celebration tickets for those in need is off to a great start--more than 50 tickets have been distributed to families so far. There's still time -- go here to learn how to can donate the gift of Yuletide.
In the meantime, read those heartwarming stories of families receiving holiday gifts from Children's Bureau case manager, Rachel Hughes.
First Christmas Stories
by Rachel Hughes, Children's Bureau
A few Christmas’ ago, we had a 12 year old boy. His prior living conditions and relationship with his biological mother was horrible. On Christmas morning, he didn’t have a visit or pass and he was one of a few kids that had no one to see him. He woke up early and staff let him open up a few presents. This boy was just so excited to have presents. He wasn’t sure when the last time was that he had gifts on Christmas. It didn’t matter if it was a toy, socks, clothes or underwear, he was so grateful and appreciated everything he received. After every package, he thanked everyone and his smile was so big. He thanked everyone he saw for him getting presents (even if they weren’t involved) and wrote a good thank you letter which was a struggle for him due to not having enough space to write his note. Behaviorally, this kid was a challenge but that Christmas he was grateful, compliant and happy.
Last year, we had a little girl whose house caught on fire. She lost all of her toys and clothing. More than anything else, she wanted a Bratz head doll to replace the one she lost in the fire. On Christmas morning when she saw the Bratz doll, she was so happy. It was like a piece of her life before the fire was given back to her.
We had an 8 year old girl that was afraid that Santa wouldn’t be able to find her since her address had changed many times since last Christmas. We had the security officer call pretending to be Santa and telling her that he knew where she was and what one of her presents was. She was so excited and was relieved that even though she was in a placement, Santa could still find her. It gave her a reassurance that Christmas was still going to be okay even though she wasn’t placed in a home or with a family for Christmas.
Working with children in the system is very hard. Success is not high but staff still fights for every kid to have had at least one success while in placement. We have had many children learn to read while here even though they were 15 or so. We’ve had kids learn better coping skills than hurting themselves or others. The most valuable lesson most learn while they are here is that they are worth something. No matter what they have been told, they are valuable. They are important. They mean something. They don’t need to define themselves through others or behaviors. Who they are is enough. They don’t need their family to say they are worth something. They don’t need a boy or a girl to make them feel good about themselves. They can achieve and have a future no matter what their past has been.
In the meantime, read those heartwarming stories of families receiving holiday gifts from Children's Bureau case manager, Rachel Hughes.
First Christmas Stories
by Rachel Hughes, Children's Bureau
A few Christmas’ ago, we had a 12 year old boy. His prior living conditions and relationship with his biological mother was horrible. On Christmas morning, he didn’t have a visit or pass and he was one of a few kids that had no one to see him. He woke up early and staff let him open up a few presents. This boy was just so excited to have presents. He wasn’t sure when the last time was that he had gifts on Christmas. It didn’t matter if it was a toy, socks, clothes or underwear, he was so grateful and appreciated everything he received. After every package, he thanked everyone and his smile was so big. He thanked everyone he saw for him getting presents (even if they weren’t involved) and wrote a good thank you letter which was a struggle for him due to not having enough space to write his note. Behaviorally, this kid was a challenge but that Christmas he was grateful, compliant and happy.
Last year, we had a little girl whose house caught on fire. She lost all of her toys and clothing. More than anything else, she wanted a Bratz head doll to replace the one she lost in the fire. On Christmas morning when she saw the Bratz doll, she was so happy. It was like a piece of her life before the fire was given back to her.
We had an 8 year old girl that was afraid that Santa wouldn’t be able to find her since her address had changed many times since last Christmas. We had the security officer call pretending to be Santa and telling her that he knew where she was and what one of her presents was. She was so excited and was relieved that even though she was in a placement, Santa could still find her. It gave her a reassurance that Christmas was still going to be okay even though she wasn’t placed in a home or with a family for Christmas.
Working with children in the system is very hard. Success is not high but staff still fights for every kid to have had at least one success while in placement. We have had many children learn to read while here even though they were 15 or so. We’ve had kids learn better coping skills than hurting themselves or others. The most valuable lesson most learn while they are here is that they are worth something. No matter what they have been told, they are valuable. They are important. They mean something. They don’t need to define themselves through others or behaviors. Who they are is enough. They don’t need their family to say they are worth something. They don’t need a boy or a girl to make them feel good about themselves. They can achieve and have a future no matter what their past has been.
o consecutive years. In 2009, Hannah won first place in the Muncie Symphony Orchestra and the New World Youth Orchestra’s Young Artist Competition (junior divisions) and came in second in the 2009 Michael Ben and Illene Komisarow Maurer Young Musicians Contest, which earned her the chance to play with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra this weekend at Conner Prairie.
The year is 1990. I was two years old, soon to be three. We drove the slightly long drive to Connor Prairie to see a Symphony on the Prairie concert for the evening. I was so excited to go and my favorite thing to do was run down the hills as soon as we got there. It was warm and bright, and I watched as many other people arrived. I was happy to see lots of other kids I could play with as the concert was going on. We brought a blanket, food and lots of toys so I could play with my sister. The music was pretty and I sat on my mom’s lap while watching the people play on the big stage. Soon, it got dark and it made the stage light up. As the concert ended, I was thrilled as I saw balloons being released into the air. It was definitely an unforgettable evening with the symphony. 
Today was so much fun! Performing on stage with Dan Zanes was too much of a nice experience. The audience was mostly little kids, so they were pretty rowdy and excited. I liked the outfits they wore on stage and the instruments they played.
Today was a day I will never forget. It was really fun being able to play with Dan Zanes and his crew. It was really quite inspiring being able to watch someone make children happy and have fun while doing so. It inspires people to gather energy, dress up kind of funky, and sing silly songs, just for the smile of a toddler. It can really make a difference to the world of you can make just one child smile. They are our future. Make them happy and the future becomes brighter.
I really enjoyed myself playing with Dan Zanes and his crew. I have two favorite parts of this day playing with them. One is when we were backstage and one of his crew members let me play the ukulele. I’ve always been a fan of that instrument and it was amazing my first time playing it. Secondly, when we were on stage performing and Dan Zanes was so connected with the crowd. Made me feel really cool to see all the smiling faces.
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