Help Us Bring Christmas Joy to Families in Need

Families Forward Community Service Holiday Event

Every year, our Scouts partner with Families Forward – New Directions Shelter in Des Moines to bring warmth, joy, and dignity to families experiencing homelessness. On December 18th, 2025, our Pack will once again host a Christmas-themed Holiday Party filled with gifts, food, laughter, and a moment of peace for parents and children who are going through incredibly difficult times.

This year, we are asking for your help.

Your donation—no matter the amount—directly supports families who need it most.

About the Families We Serve

Families Forward provides emergency shelter to up to 8 families at a time, including infants, older children, and parents working hard to rebuild their lives. The space is small, the resources are limited, and needs change often. Many families arrive with almost nothing.

Our Scouts work closely with shelter staff—including Associate Director Kelsie Pinegar, Senior Case Manager Bryann Sullivan, and Volunteer Coordinator Missy Reams—to ensure we meet the real needs of families staying at the shelter during the holidays.

Last year, the shelter housed 8 families and 26 children at Christmastime.

What This Fundraiser Supports

Your generosity allows us to provide essentials AND moments of joy, including:

Christmas Gifts for Kids

We purchase age-appropriate gifts for every child staying at the shelter.

️ A Catered Warm Meal

We partner with a local business to provide a full meal for families before the party.

Holiday Party Supplies

Festive tableware, drinks, wrapping supplies, and decorations to transform a small shelter space into a warm, welcoming holiday celebration.

Shelter Necessities

The shelter has urgent needs year-round.

The Event We Host

On December 18th, our Scouts will host a one-hour holiday party with simple crafts, music, treats, and a surprise visit from Santa. Families come and go as they are able, and we keep the environment flexible, respectful, and welcoming.

With tight space and varying family situations, simplicity and warmth guide everything we do.

Why This Matters

Homelessness is incredibly hard on families—especially during the holidays.

Your donation helps us:

✔️ Ensure every child receives a gift

✔️ Provide a warm, home-style meal

✔️ Support the shelter’s most urgent needs

✔️ Give parents a moment to breathe, smile, and enjoy their kids

✔️ Teach Scouts the value of service, kindness, and giving back

This event is often emotional—in the best possible way. It reminds all of us that community is built by ordinary people choosing to do something good together.

How You Can Help

Donate — Every dollar goes directly toward gifts, meals, and supplies for Families Forward.

Share — The more people who see this, the more families we can help.

Together, we can give these families a Christmas filled with hope, dignity, and kindness.

Thank you for supporting our Scouts and Families Forward Shelter.

Thank you for caring.

And thank you for helping make the holidays brighter for families who need it most.