To fundraise and kick off the holiday season, the Convent of the Sacred Heart community united members of all ages in its annual Come Home For Christmas event.
The Board of Trustees, the Greenwich-Maplehurst Alumnae Association, and the Parents’ Association co-hosted the event’s festivities Friday December 5 and Sunday December 7. Proceeds from the event contributed to Sacred Heart’s Faculty and Staff Development Fund.
Come Home For Christmas debuted last year with warm praise. New features were not added to the event, but the schedule was rearranged.
“A change that was made for this year was to move the Christmas Boutique to Sunday, thereby focusing the Friday night event on the silent and live auction items,” Mrs. Debra McLaughlin, committee member and mother of Sacred Heart junior Kelly McLaughlin said.
Items sold during the auction ranged from a trip around New York City landmarks, like the Plaza Hotel, to handmade crafts made by the Sacred Heart community. Lower School, fifth grade, and sixth grade students made Christmas wreaths while Upper School students decorated Christmas trees with snowflake ornaments that hold wildflower seeds, and can be planted once winter ends.
Sacred Heart faculty members also decorated and filled cookie jars for the silent auction. Ms. Erica Bogin, Lower and Middle School Art Teacher and Gallery Director, created a Georgia O’Keeffe-themed jar and Ms. Erin Ramirez, Director of College Guidance, created a Family Fortune cookie jar filled with lottery scratch cards and chocolate gold coins.
Sunday marked the return of popular programs from last year’s event such as the Family Mass and the Gingerbread House decorating activity. Students and family members adorned over 300 gingerbread houses. Santa’s Secret Shop, another returning feature, offered guests the opportunity to purchase gift-wrapped items for their friends and family.
Come Home For Christmas has become a festive tradition that not only celebrates the holiday but also brings together members from all division of the school.
“It’s not just about making money for the school’s Endowment, but it’s a great chance to share in the holiday openly,” Mrs. McLaughlin said. “It’s at the beginning of the Christmas season and it’s a great way to support the school.”
– Izzy Sio, Staff Writer