Saint Louis Crisis Nursery Hosts Holiday Party for Ferguson Families

Santa and Mrs. Claus hand out presents at holiday party in Ferguson.
Santa and Mrs. Claus hand out presents at holiday party in Ferguson.

In celebration of the holidays, the Saint Louis Crisis Nursery held a holiday party for over 400 moms, dads and kids at the First Baptist Church of Ferguson on Saturday, Dec. 19 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Deaconess Foundation, Shop ‘N Save, Papa John’s and McDonald’s participated and supported the event.

Moms received gifts for themselves and were able to talk with Crisis Nursery social workers about how to cope with stress during the holidays. Children decorated cookies and made beautiful holiday ornaments. The Game Truck also came and gave older kids a chance to play during the event. Former NFL Football player Bernard Whittington attended as Santa Claus alongside Demetria Lightfoot as Mrs. Claus. The children were treated to toys donated by several different organizations and community donors.

“We’re so glad to bring holiday cheer to our families in this community. I had several parents tell me their family would have no Christmas without the help of the Crisis Nursery,” said DiAnne Mueller, CEO of St. Louis Crisis Nursery.

The Saint Louis Crisis Nursery has been in the North County community for 21 years and has been in Ferguson since the unrest in the summer of 2014. It is located on the campus of Christian Hospital and can care for up to 10 children. This independent, not-for-profit agency provides short-term, safe havens to 7,500 children a year, birth through age 12, when their families are faced with an emergency or crisis.

The Crisis Nursery provides care 24 hours a day, 365 days a year at five sites, serving families throughout the greater St. Louis, St. Charles, Southern Illinois and surrounding regions. For details, call 314-292-5770 or visit www.crisisnurserykids.org. For the Saint Louis Crisis Nursery 24-hour helpline, call 314-768-3201. In St. Charles County, call 636-947-0600.


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