Noyes Home for Children prepare for upcoming holidays with fundraisers

By Leah Rainwater

As the holiday season approached, the Noyes Home for Children shared their plans to fundraise throughout the season.

In the past, donations, monetary or otherwise that were collected during the holiday season typically went toward helping with operational costs, food and the needs of families.

“We have our annual Holiday Open House on December 3rd, but we also have our annual Appeals Campaign, and we do that every year,” said Chelsea Howlett, Executive Director of the Noyes Home for Children.

“It is truly one of our biggest moneymakers for the Noyes Home to have operational expenses covered,” Howlett said. The Executive Director shared that the St. Joseph community has helped the children at the Noyes Home a lot already.

“We are very blessed that we have several groups in our community that make things possible for our kids during the holidays,” Howlett said. “We just recently celebrated and kicked off the holiday season with Freedom of the Road Riders.”

The Noyes Home is looking forward to one “big” upcoming fundraiser, The Joe Town Fundraiser.

“They actually collect presents from a variety of different folks who are wanting to give,” Howlett said. “It benefits, not only the Noyes Home, but also children who are in foster care as well as the YWCA. It’s lovely to see that other kids who are in need are also getting present given through that toy drive.”

Ms. Howlett stated that the Noyes Home also has a few different ways in which the the community can help during this holiday season.

“Every Thursday we have an emerging need that we post…”said Howlett. “They can request our needs and wish lists. We have those printed and available for everyone. And if they want to just find out if there’s any projects that we have that are maybe capital improvement based.”

Howlett also shared that there are a lot of projects around the Noyes Home in which both individuals and local businesses can participate to help meet the organization’s needs. Additionally, the Noyes Home is always in need of volunteers.

Howlett stated that the kindness and help from the community doesn’t go unnoticed by the staff and families of the Noyes Home.

“It means the world,” Howlett said. “We have a $2.8 million budget, and every year we have to fundraise the majority of that.”

Ms. Howlett stated that she is grateful to the St. Joseph community which has helped keep the Noyes Home open for 130 years along with the community’s support for both children and families in need.