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January 17, 2024In the spirit of giving, Stacy Kurtz, director of the Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City Enid Regional Office, works to brighten the lives of families in need during the holiday season.
A tradition that started 22 years ago, A Very Giving Christmas, spearheaded every year by Kurtz and her co-worker Laura Maixner, has tried to become a beacon of hope for many people in Enid.
Each year, the Enid Regional Office collaborates with the community to provide Christmas gifts for school-age children. Donors contribute either monetarily or by fulfilling a child's wish list, including one clothing outfit, three toys, a pair of shoes and a grocery gift card.
This year, the program impacted 78 children, with the largest family having five children.
Catholic Charities in Oklahoma City conducts a similar program each year, showcasing the collective efforts of numerous individuals who come together to make a difference.
To orchestrate this initiative, Kurtz and Maixner coordinate with Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Bison, which has supported the program since its inception by putting some of the children’s names on an angel tree in their parish.
In addition, they advertise in the Saint Gregory Catholic Church and Saint Francis Catholic Church in Enid where they can obtain donors, while additional donors come from around the community. This year, families lined up outside the Catholic Charities office on Oct. 24 to secure spots, showcasing the immense need for such a program in the community. Slots filled up the next day.
“We had families lined up at the front door first thing in the morning, all the way through the parking lot,” Kurtz said.
Kurtz initiated A Very Giving Christmas in 2001 when she volunteered to chair the Enid Area Christmas Coalition, an organization that worked with the Church Resource Council to help eliminate duplicate community resources. She modeled the program after the Catholic Charities Oklahoma City Christmas program, but “tweaks” it every year according to community needs.
To encourage community engagement, families participating in the program are required to give back through volunteer service, promoting a spirit of reciprocity and gratitude.
“We also like to make sure the families who sign up for the program find a way to give back to their community,” Maixner said. “The families who sign up for the Christmas gifts are encouraged to do an hour of volunteer service per child.”
Maixner and Kurtz shared a joy in preparing for the event, shopping year-round for gifts. Despite occasional friendly banter over a surplus of remote-control cars, their enthusiasm underscores the dedication that makes A Very Giving Christmas a tradition they cherish.
“We really like to shop year-round so when we see something that looks like something the kids would like, we go ahead and buy it,” Maixner said.
For them, the rewards of bringing joy to families in need during the holidays reinforce the significance of their year-round commitment to serving those facing hardship. Amid their day-to-day responsibilities, managing counseling, casework and utility bill assistance with just a two-woman team, Kurtz and Maixner say A Very Giving Christmas is just the icing on the cake.
“It’s actually our favorite time of the year because it’s so rewarding,” Maixner said. “We’ve had families tell us that if it weren’t for what we do, they probably would not have a Christmas.”
The program primarily supports individuals living paycheck to paycheck, yet A Very Giving Christmas extends its aid to diverse needs, encompassing single moms, mothers on maternity leave, families in shelters, and those facing a sudden loss of income, all seeking assistance during the holidays.
As Catholic Charities works year-round to provide essential services, the holiday season becomes a poignant reminder of the urgency of charitable holiday programs. In the true spirit of Christmas, Kurtz and Maixner work to spread joy, hope and blessings, making A Very Giving Christmas a cherished tradition for the Enid community.