Kelsey’s Christmas Experience

It’s 2020 and the year has not been great for anyone. My family has continued to go to work through the whole pandemic as essential workers and eventually we all ended up with Covid. We survived but still, it’s been a rough year to say the least. And I know it’s been an extremely tough year for many others! As December was approaching some of my friends started putting up their Christmas decorations extra early to bring Christmas cheer. It’s 2020, the rules are out the window right? You want to put your Christmas lights up before Thanksgiving? Go for it. Before Halloween? Whatever you want. 

(This is me)

I admire the effort to bring the cheer! But it wasn’t working for me. I’m an extrovert and I miss my friends and I miss my family. I was scowling my way into the Christmas season. But I had signed up to do Light Up Hope’s first online only fundraiser. It was a 12 Days of Christmas Run. A different theme each day and two miles of walking/running each day while we try to raise money for Light Up Hope. I decided I would make it a daily activity with my kids (what else are we going to do in a pandemic?) We would do our walk and take pictures to go along with the theme. At least it would get us out of the house. But my expectations were low. 

(Aciro and Onen day one theme for the fundraiser: wear a Christmas Sweater!)

I posted online so my friends and family could follow along. We made it a friendly competition between my husband and I. We posted a little bit about why we believe in Light Up Hope. We believe that talent is equally distributed but opportunity is not. That means we need to give students in Kenya the opportunity that so many Americans take for granted, an education. It costs money to attend school in Kenya, especially a quality boarding school, and there is absolutely no guarantee a young person will get to go to school if they come from a challenging economic background. 

(The students)

As we posted each day the donations started rolling in from my friends and family and wouldn’t you know it my frown started to turn upside down! My heart grew like the grinch’s heart. This is what I needed for Christmas this year. My community gave me the greatest gift. They came together to support a cause I truly believe in. They opened up their hearts and opened up their wallets and I am thankful. Thank You for giving me my Christmas spirit this year! My friends and family raised enough to send two high school students to a high quality boarding school and pay their living expenses for the entire year. 

(Christmas cheer obtained)

As we wrap up 2020 please don’t forget to support Light Up Hope in your year end giving. GIVE HERE to support our holistic programs working to help students and families in Kenya. And get yourself some Christmas cheer 😉