As part of the Elf Committee, Courtney has helped recruit volunteers, publicize the event, sort gifts, and assist in other areas. In the past few years, she has witnessed a significant increase in the number of children and families served by this holiday event as Cornerstones of Care has expanded its services and picked up more contracts. In 2018, 397 kids were served by the Gift Gallery and Sponsor-A-Youth program. Just three years later, the number of kids who received gifts from these programs more than tripled to 1,200.

“This event is being asked every year to take care of more kids,” said Courtney. “I think it’s really important to stress how far we’ve come in a very short time, but we always need help.”

Starting early in November, volunteers are needed to “help fill Santa’s bags” by purchasing gifts for the Sponsor-A-Youth program. Those who sign up to sponsor a youth in foster care agree to provide items from a youth’s personalized holiday wish list. Key Bank, Community Christian Church, and Red Bags are among those who contribute their time and effort to provide gifts for the Sponsor-a-Youth program. Volunteers can also purchase gifts for the Gift Gallery, a three-day holiday shopping opportunity that serves families who participate in Cornerstones of Care’s community-based programs, such as the Day Treatment Schools on the Gillis and Ozanam Campuses.

Once most of the gifts have been purchased and delivered to NASB’s North Pole, the first few weeks of December are a frenzied, festive sprint to the finish line. From December 7-9, volunteers sign up to sort gifts and set up the venue to make it shoppable and welcoming for families. This year, NASB’s North Pole will take place at a new, larger venue with more space for shopping and storage, thanks to a donation from Block Real Estate and 133 State Line Group LLC.

Two days later, the Gift Gallery will officially open its doors and be filled with shoppers from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. From December 14-16, volunteers will partner with the visiting families as they shop and move through the store, helping them select three gifts for each child. In addition to toys, families receive a selection of basic needs items, including coats, hats, and clothing.

The final act of this holiday extravaganza is wrapping gifts for youth in the residential treatment programs on the Ozanam Campus. Gifts for the youth in foster care are personally delivered to about 1,000 families by Cornerstones of Care case managers and other team members. Once each present has been safely delivered, the clean-up begins.

“It’s not a burden,” Courtney said. “It’s about providing that space of dignity and offering these services without a pitying look. It’s about making sure all these kids are going to have a Christmas morning and that parents can pick out gifts for their kids.”

“Every person should feel seen and heard and celebrated,” said Courtney. “Serving on the Elf Committee allows me to look at my fellow human beings and tell them that in this world where you can feel alone, someone cares about you.”