Spreading Holiday Magic through a Christmas Tree

For one family, their specific philanthropy was fueled by needing their kids to understand why it’s important to help others. Rachael and Jim Winter wanted to spread the holiday joy as far as they could, but wanted to get their whole family involved. The Breathing Room’s Holiday program became an outlet for them to teach their kids about helping others.

“One year during the holidays, the kids were acting out and misbehaving. And I needed them to understand that this is not what the holiday is about – it’s about being together and supporting others. My kids went to Immaculate, so I immediately thought of the Breathing Room and we reached out to sponsor a family. We took the kids shopping, had them pick out the gifts, had them help with wrapping, and made sure it was all done on time. Since then, we’ve done it every year to really engage the kids in something bigger for the holidays,” Rachael shared.

“Last year our friend group joined in. When I was dropping the gifts off, I saw a few trees ready to go with other families’ gifts on the porch at the BRF office. And I thought, oh my god, I didn’t even think about families needing trees! I would have never even thought there are families too sick to even get a tree. I love a live tree and I know little kids think getting a live tree is a big deal. And it’s just another expense on top of other things that I’m sure many families have to skip. I called Jim when I left the office, and said maybe next year we can do that.”

Jim agreed, and even better, his boss was on board. Steve Kehoe and Kehoe Construction sponsored the purchase of 20 Christmas trees and stands, and Rachael and Jim’s family and friends delivered and set them up for Breathing Room families, with additional support from Dave’s Trees at the North Penn VFW in Glenside.

Dave and Jackie Schwanbeck (of Dave’s Trees), were all for Rachael’s idea. Their daughter Kacee collected Thanksgiving supplies for Breathing Room families as a student at Willow Hill Elementary, and continues to support the Thanksgiving program, Holiday program, and Winter Warmth program now on her own. The kids in the Winter and Schwanbeck families are learning about community service and serving others at a young age, and we are so grateful to them and their families for supporting our Breathing Room families.

One family who received a tree was so grateful – they haven’t put up a Christmas tree in three years, since their dad’s cancer diagnosis. “We just didn’t have the energy to get the fake tree out of the basement! It was just another thing we didn’t have time for. So to have a beautiful tree arrive, be set up, and strung with lights – it truly felt magical.”

This example of one family making a difference for others really tells the story of what Breathing Room is all about – lifting up the burdens of every day life, and specifically making sure that kids in homes affected by cancer still get to experience regular childhood things, including the magic of the holiday season.

We are so grateful to all the Breathing Room supporters and donors who make our holiday program possible – and to sponsors like Kehoe Construction and Dave’s Trees, who allow creative individuals like Rachael to dream big and make magic for local families affected by cancer. Your support is MAGIC.