Community Generosity Brings Holiday Joy to Childcare Resources Families

Childcare Resources School Program Committee members collect and organize donated gifts. (L-R) Carol Buhl, Sherry Waddell, Joyce Parent, Program Committee Chair Susan Donovan, Nancy Hebard, and Childcare Resources School Administrative Assistant Kim Martinez.

The holiday season brought an inspiring display of generosity to Childcare Resources of Indian River through its annual Holiday Wishlist Program. With the help of local businesses, organizations, and individual donors, more than 160 children enrolled in Childcare Resources programs received gifts, creating meaningful holiday moments for families throughout the community.

PNC Private Bank made a special drop off of toys for the Holiday Wishlist Program. (L-R) Childcare Resources Finance and HR Manager Allison Sullivan, PNC Bank Sr. Vice President & Sr. Banking Advisor Douglass Bailor, and Childcare Resources Finance and HR Director Michele Harr.

For more than a decade, the Holiday Wishlist Program has matched donors with children’s wish lists, easing the financial burden many families face during the holidays while creating moments of magic for young children. Gifts are collected and organized by the Childcare Resources Program Committee, then distributed to families during the third week of December.

Program parents picked up holiday gifts for their children, generously donated by local businesses and organizations.

Program Committee member and Childcare Resources co-founder Sherry Waddell shared her appreciation for the program’s continued success. “It has been such a pleasure over the years,” Waddell said. “The support from our community during the holiday season is truly overwhelming.”

Executive Director Shannon McGuire Bowman reflected on the program’s impact, noting, “This program is about more than gifts. It’s about reminding families that they are seen, supported, and valued by their community.”

Families felt that support firsthand. One program parent, whose daughter graduates this year, says, “Childcare Resources has been such a blessing to my family the last four years. The brightest part of the holidays are people like you for blessing my baby.”

Childcare Resources extends heartfelt thanks to this year’s Wishlist donors: Bent Pine Country Club, The Community Church of Vero Beach, First Service Residential, The Law Offices of Jennifer D. Peske, John’s Island Community Condominium Services, PNC Private Bank, Riomar Country Club, Treasure Coast Pilot Club, and the Vero Beach Country Club Ladies Golf members.

Childcare Resources’ offices were filled with gifts as Program Committee members carefully organized and fulfilled each child’s holiday wish list.