The Ruth Project
December 2023
2023 Fundraiser at The Farm
The Ruth Project welcomed nearly 200 guests to The Farm for our annual fundraiser on November 4. Led by our very own tour guides, guests meandered through six barns and farm paths lined with twinkling lights. Each barn offered a unique activity and message to communicate the impact of The Ruth Project on the 180 families and their 516 children we serve.
Guests were also treated to a progressive meal as they went from barn to barn. The biggest hit was Chick-fil-A, provided by our treasured community partner Elgin Chick-fil-A. Owner Phil Tuttle was on hand with his team to serve as well as share how being involved with our monthly Dash and Dine is a blessing to him as dad and business owner. “It’s inspiring to see how much these foster parents sacrifice. They have chosen a life to care for the vulnerable, and I’m honored to be able to help in such a practical way.”
The interactive tour began at the Hangout Barn, then wound through the Animal Barn, Grandpa’s Workshop, the Play Barn, the Greenhouse, and finally the Event Barn. Guests had “Passports” stamped at each stop, earning their way to a raffle ticket and a chance to win one of the prizes representing each tour stop. Congratulations to our raffle winners, who included (with prizes) Mindy Swanson (Farmhouse Meal for 12), Emily and Sergio Velazquez (adorable life-sized stuffed sheep), Patty Sugel (Thanksgiving centerpiece), Jessica Oltmanns (a trip through our monthly Dash and Dine), and Steve Phelps (gardening toolkit).
A final and very special thanks goes to DeKalb Lowe’s, another treasured community partner who graciously allowed us to use their parking lot for guest parking and tour bus boarding! Thank you, Lowe’s!
A Special Christmas Mom’s Night Out
Last week The Ruth Project hosted an extra-special Christmas “Mom’s Night Out” at The Farm for over 25 women.
“I feel like royalty,” one foster mom tearfully shared. “You have no idea what The Ruth Project means to us because of all the different ways you care for us!”
Guests arrived at The Farm and gathered in the Great Room for appetizers and cider, then around two Farmhouse tables meticulously decorated for the holiday season. A delicious beef stroganoff meal was served, ending with a trio dessert plate of fruit, chocolate, and peppermint. Four of our volunteer men waited on and cared for each individual mom, blessing these sweet women who normally do so much meal-serving at home!
The conversation was both lively and very meaningful. Intentional discussion questions and a fun game created a sense of camaraderie and closeness among the entire group. Foster moms were meeting one another, sharing their hearts, and developing new friendships that will hopefully continue beyond the night at The Farm.
Nights like these reinforce how precious these Support Events are and how they continue to be lifelines for all involved – foster families, volunteers, and donors…and the staff at The Ruth Project, too! We praise the Lord for the space and resources to provide these opportunities.
Annual Christmas Tree Initiative is Launched
This Christmas season, The Ruth Project is launching its Christmas Tree Initiative. We are so excited to see a forest of Christmas trees across our communities supporting our Ruth Project families!
Our prayer is for big impact in a simple way. Individuals, families, churches, and businesses are ordering artificial trees for delivery to set up in their homes, entryways, and lobbies. It takes only minutes to set up and decorate with the provided lights, information tags, and ornaments. Throughout the season, family members, co-workers, congregations, and friends are simply grabbing an ornament, scanning its QR Code to make a $25 donation, and hanging the ornament on their own tree to remember to pray for Ruth Project families and children. Virtual trees are appearing online, too – anyone can post a Ruth Project Christmas tree for all their contacts to “grab” an ornament and donate!
Each tree’s 60 ornaments total $1500, which is the cost to care for one Ruth Project family for an entire year.
One tree – one family – one year.
If you weren’t able to order a tree this year, no worries! This will be an annual event, so start planning for 2024!
Upcoming Events
> Christmas Fun at The Farm – Friday, Dec. 22 (10:30-1pm and 5:30-8pm); Saturday Dec. 23 (10:30-1pm)
Hosted at The Farm
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Dash & Dine Meals
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Abundantly Loved
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