Amid the craziness that is 2020, there are so many ways to help the kiddos at Crisis Nursery this holiday season.
- Take a Peak at the Kindness Catalog for Monetary Giving Options
On average, Crisis Nursery serves 750 unduplicated children and 450 different families annually. For families to thrive, they need the tools and resources to succeed. Each family is different, meaning they all have their own specific needs. Monetary gifts allow Crisis Nursery staff to be a helping hand to aide families’ needs and to walk alongside them as they strive to meet their goals.
The Crisis Nursery team created the Kindness Catalog, which is featured on the Crisis Nursery’s Holiday Giving page. Here, site visitors will find a variety of options of monetary giving, with real examples of what a donation will cover—from one hour of child care to supporting an entire day at the Nursery.
All gifts are pertinent to keeping children of Champaign County safe and helping area families succeed. Comfort a child. Empower a family.
HELPING HAND— A $15 gift covers the hour of care for children like Camryn, while her mother attends an appointment. During this hour, Camryn is fed a healthy snack and participates in educational activities and games with trained Lead Children’s Specialists.
BABY BUNDLE– Babies go through a lot of diapers—A LOT of diapers. Alexander’s dad brought him to the Nursery while he was searching for permanent housing in 
Champaign-Urbana. While dad was working and seeking to secure safe housing, Alexander was at the Nursery being cared for and fed by trained staff. A $250 gift would help diaper, feed and care for a baby like Alexander for an entire month.
SPONSOR A SHIFT—Libby is at Crisis Nursery playing dress-up, while mom is in a Crisis Nursery support group for postpartum depression, Beyond Blue. Jackson is at the Nursery while his caregiver is in surgery. A mom new to the area is expecting to give birth any day now. Mom brought her two-year-old daughter Jada to Crisis Nursery for play 
time, food and safe care while she welcomed her new baby into the world. Lexi’s mom called the Nursery after three nights of restlessness. Lexi was diagnosed with colic, and mom really needed time to take a breath and catch up on sleep. A gift of $700 would cover an eight-hour shift providing safe care, food and playtime for children like Libby, Jackson, Lexi, and Jada.
A DAY AT THE NURSERY— A $2,100 gift ensures kiddos like 
Camryn, Alexander, Libby, Jackson, Lexi and Jada are well fed, cared for, kept safe, bathed and have clean diapers and clothing for a full 24 hours.
*The stories above are just a few examples of how your gift helps prevent child abuse & neglect throughout Champaign County. Names have been changed for confidentiality.
HELP US GROW— If you want to spread cheer all year to children at the Nursery, you can give a H.U.G and Help Us Grow with a recurring monthly gift at any amount!
THIRD-PARTY FUNDRAISERS— A fun part about giving and donating is the ability to get creative in how the funds are raised. Third-party fundraisers can be entertaining ways to raise money while having fun and giving back!
- Attend Santa’s Drive-Thru Workshop
The Annual Children’s Holiday Shop is a beloved tradition that brought in nearly $30,000 last year for Crisis Nursery programs and services. Although we are unable to host the Holiday Shop this year, we are excited to introduce a new event we know the community— especially kiddos— will love!
Mark the weekend of Dec. 11 to 13th off of your schedule, get ready to bundle up the little ones and head to the Champaign County Fairgrounds for a brand new holiday event. Just like the services at Crisis Nursery, Santa’s Drive-Thru Workshop will be FREE and open to the entire community!
Santa and Mrs. Claus will be making a trip all the way from the North Pole to Champaign for this event! The couple may even bring some of their elves—If there is room on the sleigh!
As your family drives through the workshop, there will be a few stations along the path. Your kiddos will receive cookies, cocoa and goodies. Maybe your little one will even win the golden ticket, good to swap for a surprise! Santa’s helpers have hidden a couple of them for a lucky few to find throughout the weekend. Crisis Nursery Family Specialists will be on-site to share information about our services. A suggested donation of $15 or a wish list item is suggested at the Giving Tree station at the event.
There will be much more in store, and lots of fun for your family!
Are you part of an organization or business that may be interested in becoming a sponsor of this inclusive, joyful event? Give Ashley a call, 217-337-2731, or shoot her an email amorgan@crisisnursery.net!
- Make a Donation from Our Wish List
We know it feels good giving tangible items, and Crisis Nursery always needs supplies to give to kiddos and families.
Here is Crisis Nursery’s Holiday Wish List:
CLEANING SUPPLIES
Disinfectant Wipes and Spray, aerosol disinfectant spray, hand sanitizer, hand soap
DIAPERS— Open packages are okay
Sizes 4 to 6
PULL UPS— Open packages are okay
Any size
WINTER CLOTHING— New or gently used
Size 2T to 5 pants and shirts for boys and girls
SOCKS & UNDERWEAR— Must be new
For children ages 2 to 6
SNACKS—Individualized preferred
Fruit snacks, Goldfish, granola bars, pretzels, animal crackers
If you aren’t nearby to drop off goods, the Amazon Wish List or Walmart Registry for Good are both convenient options where goods are delivered straight to the Nursery.
If you like to online shop, why not link your Amazon account to Amazon Smile? A percentage of your purchase is donated back to the Nursery.
- Share Crisis Nursery’s Message and Mission
Sharing events on social media or sharing our mission through word of mouth are both excellent ways of supporting Crisis Nursery. Letting a friend know about our services is more helpful than you think.
Check in on your friends, family and loved ones. Let them know about our services, and let them know you care. Crisis Nursery is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and we are always here for you!
