A Most Precious Present
In the holiday rush, parents often lament that time with their children is at a premium.
What to do?
Shorten your to-do lists, advises Jack Belcher, director of the Village in Beaumont--a residential treatment center for abused children founded by Childhelp USA.
“Children can get lost in the holiday shuffle,” he said. “So I tell people to prioritize--much on your list doesn’t really have to get done--and put children at the top.”
Hundreds of women put abused children first when they attended the Orange County chapter of Childhelp’s annual boutique last week at the Hyatt Regency Irvine.
The crowd cruised tables piled with holiday goodies--including gaily wrapped gift baskets--and a Santa’s Kitchen brimming with homemade treats made by Childhelp supporters.
“I’ve never worked with a group of women who are so dedicated to children and helping each other,” said committee member Natalie Tabb of Irvine. “I’ve never called anyone to help and had them say no.”
Guests included veteran boutique shoppers such as Nancy Tinnes of San Juan Capistrano. “I come every year,” said Tinnes, who was armed with several large shopping bags. “What could be better for the giving spirit?”
National Childhelp board member Patti Edwards wouldn’t miss the annual boutique, she said. “This event not only helps us raise funds for the Village, it helps us raise awareness about the problem of child abuse.
“The holidays can be stressful for parents,” she added. “It’s important for them to count to 10 when they’re feeling stressed out and to not get so caught up that they don’t spend time with their children. If we’re going to make children, let’s take care of them.”
Event proceeds of more than $50,000 will be used to provide rehabilitative services to the children, ages 6 to 12, who live at the Village and at three group homes in Orange County.
“All of our children are considered survivors of abuse,” said Childhelp spokeswoman Lauren Nethery. “They come to us through social services and stay an average of 22 months.”
On Sunday, the 80 residents of the Village and 20 children who live in Orange County will attend a Christmas party at the Beaumont facility.
“We’re expecting 500 to 600 people,” Belcher said. “Each of the children has a special friend from the community to accompany them and bring them a gift.
“We want to honor these children--give them a family-style Christmas they’ve only dreamed about,” Belcher added. “Their clinical profiles tell us they’ve been sexually and physically abused. It’s not that they haven’t had a good Christmas--they haven’t had Christmas. It’s always been an unhappy, stressful time.”
At the Village, the emphasis is always on family, Belcher said. “An example of this is that we never serve our children milk from cartons. We put pitchers of milk on the table because that’s what families do. For these children, it’s the little things that count. We know we are their surrogate family.”
For information on Childhelp, call (800) 4-A-CHILD.
Ann Conway can be reached at (714) 966-5952 or Ann.Conway@LATimes.com.