The giving season began early for the Mahomet United Methodist Church (MUMC) as they collected over $2600 in monetary donations and gift cards for the Cunningham Children’s Home during their annual fundraising event, Cunningham Connection on Nov. 15.
The United Methodist Women of the Illinois Great Rivers Conference (UMW) support the Cunningham Children’s Home.
“They bring in kids from all over the state,” Janet Thompson said. “A lot of these kids have been in multiple foster homes, or they are in a family situation where they feel they aren’t in a good environment so they need to be in a safer environment.”
MUMC began to support Cunningham through providing supplies on their donation wish list. Six years ago, they decided to host the Cunningham Connection fundraiser to get the community more involved with the organization.
T
his year, they rolled out the red carpet, and served horderves, desserts and entertainment provided by the MUMC worship team for guests. Alongside monetary donations, MUMC collected backpacks and cooking pans for the on-campus homes the children live in.
United Methodist Women also make quilts for the children who come into Cunningham.
“They have a garbage bag full of stuff when they arrive,” Cindy Dodd said. “They don’t have a sense of belonging anywhere, so this quilt is theirs.”
President and CEO of Cunningham Children’s Home Marlin Livingston visits MUMC once a year. He’s told the church that the quilt picks out the child. When someone donates a quilt, he says the quilt is already picked out for somebody.
“There’s a lot of thought and time that goes into a quilt,” Thompson said. “That helps the kids realize that somebody out there does care.”
UMW also provides starter kits which include blankets, sheets and towels for the children.
Livingston said six teenagers were adopted from Cunningham this year. The six children had been in over a combined 100 foster homes.
“It makes it more personal,” Thompson said. “I’ve lived in other areas, and have been involved with UMW and supported Cunningham, but I feel so much closer by living this close, and doing something like this rather than just sending a check.”
A representative from Cunningham visits the event each year. Dodd specifically enjoyed listening to a dynamic woman who had graduated from the Cunningham program, and has come back to work there. She said listening to her personal story helped her be more thankful for the life she has.
“It brings an awareness to Cunningham,” she said. “This event brings people together. I think when you’re working with people on a different level, for a common goal, it helps bring people together.”
