Girls in the Bolles Residential Life program hosted and organized a holiday party for the families served by Florida Baptist Children’s Home, the students’ next door neighbors. Held Friday, December 13, the gathering was an opportunity to share the holiday and Bolles spirit with others in a meaningful way.

Florida Baptist Children’s Home families manage households and lives for children served by the nonprofit organization. They live adjacent to the Bolles Middle School Bartram Campus on sprawling property that includes multiple homes and facilities. The home is one of six campuses Florida Baptist Children’s Home operates across Florida that provides residential care to children in difficult circumstances. The campus serves school-age boys and girls in family-style homes, referred to as cottages.

Families in the cottages provided Bartram organizers with “wish lists.” With the support of a Bolles Parent Association grant, girls in the Bolles boarding program, parents and Bolles friends, all items on the wish list were filled. The families were then invited to the Bolles Middle School Bartram Campus for a holiday party and to present their gifts.  Even Santa was there to take photos with children in a photobooth. Bartram organizers surprised their guests with a bounce house in the dining hall, as well as booths for face-painting, carnival games, food and an array of sweet treats.

The wish list gifts – which included everything from Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens memberships to haircuts, toys and clothes – were wrapped under the Christmas tree and later distributed. Happy Holidays to all!