12/10/2025
Subject: Thank You for Making Christmas Magic Happen!
Dear Friends,
As we approach Christmas, our hearts are full as we reflect on another incredible year of the Good Sam Christmas Families Ministry. Because of your generosity, 2025 was a tremendous success: 26 families, 87 children, 175 Walmart/Target/fuel/food gift cards, and over 1,000 donated items were provided to students and families in Fayetteville Public Schools. None of this would have been possible without you—our faithful, compassionate supporters. And thank you for helping us get everything done so early this year!
We wish we could list every one of you by name. You truly are angels among us. Your kindness brought joy, dignity, and hope to families facing some of the hardest seasons of their lives. Here are just a few examples of the love you shared:
• A donor noticed several children wished for Barbies and handmade dozens of beautiful Barbie outfits for each child.
• One family wished only for a working garbage disposal. A donor not only bought it, but is installing it personally as well.
• When we learned that a new baby would be sleeping in a broken crib, a volunteer immediately stepped up and delivered a brand-new one today.
• A donor shared that Good Sam changed how he approaches giving—he now shops for these families with the same care and heart as he does for his own.
Today we gathered at Central United Methodist Church, where your generosity came to life. Families were overwhelmed—in the best way—with gifts, clothing, food, toiletries, and essentials that far exceeded their expectations.
A special thank you to Central UMC’s youth, who sorted supplies, assisted with drop-offs, and showed such genuine hearts for service. One young volunteer said, “Gosh, I’m going to be really grateful Christmas morning. This makes me realize I have so much, and so many don’t.” Moments like this remind us of both the deep need and the deep goodness in our community.
Thank you to Ozark Appraisal Services, who help us every single year with loading and delivering gifts—we absolutely could not do this without them.
We were also blessed to have a representative from Camp War Eagle return this year to offer free summer camp opportunities to our Good Sam families. And thanks to your generosity, we provided 65 gift cards to students at Woodland and Ramay, completing their angel baskets with love and care.
This year’s stories were heartbreaking—homelessness, illness, loss, and families trying their hardest to get back on their feet:
• One mother is working and attending school, doing everything she can to build a better future for her family. She told us how grateful she is for people stepping in during what feels like an impossible stretch.
• Another left a difficult marriage and hoped she’d be in a better position by now. She tearfully shared that, because of you, her children will have a Christmas they “deserve.”
• One parent told us her family has had “bad day after bad day,” but today was finally a good day. Her kids simply want to have what other kids have—Nike Jordans and new clothes, and nice body products—and today, they’ll have just that.
• A mom arrived via city bus, hoping she could carry everything home. She was overwhelmed by the number of gifts—and relieved when we told her we would deliver everything directly to her home.
Several families asked us again and again, “Who can we thank for all of this? Please let us thank someone!”
So on behalf of them—THANK YOU.
To our school counselors: Your tireless advocacy for these students and families is the backbone of this ministry. Thank you for trusting us with their stories and needs.
To our donors: You are the heart of everything we do. In a season filled with so many demands, you continue to show up with open hands and open hearts. Because of you, 87 children will experience not just gifts, but the comfort of knowing their community cares for them deeply.
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for making Christmas dreams come true. We wish you and your loved ones a joyful, peaceful, and blessed Christmas season.
With gratitude,
Beth Storey Bryan, Katy Hunt, and Jenny Sachs — Co-Chairs
Kate Akins, Erica Baker, Claire Bittle, Sandra Cooper, Mary Kate Daugherty, Polly Garton, Amanda Gunther, Lindsey Gearhart, Kirsten Morman, Bek Phelan, and Molly Puryear
Good Sam Christmas Families Ministry Committee
“Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.” — Hebrews 13:2
