Sunshine

vide for each and every child living at MCH,” Tom said. “I could
not see how every child would be accounted for and felt the
financial burden would be too great, but I was over ruled and
so the tradition began in earnest. Remarkably, every child was
spoken for and provided for, either through our neighborhood
or through our church. It has been this way since that time.”
Starting in September for the past 11 years, Pam Gregory
and Denise Ondrey, student activities coordinator at MCH,
begin to gather wish lists and coordinate efforts. Even up until
the last day before the Carols and Candles service, they compare
notes to make sure no one is unaccounted for. Pam then
takes the lists back to Rockwall to rally the generous troops,
which include First UMC Rockwall clergy, staff, Sunday school
classes, United Methodist Women and the Gregorys’ neighbors
and other friends.
“It is a big event when the angel tree comes out after
Thanksgiving. There’s actually some good-hearted pushing
and shoving going on amongst church members to get to the
angel tree first!” Tom said.
In their support of MCH, First UMC Rockwall went from
a consistent giving church to one of the top giving churches
in Texas, according to Trey Oakley, vice president for development.
He said they are showing MCH youth that they care
during a crucial time of year.
“Christmas is such a special time of year but for some of
our children it is a very challenging time of year. What Rockwall
Tom Gregory (front row) and his wife Pam (back row, third from
right) celebrate the Christmas season with MCH and other friends
from First United Methodist Church in Rockwall.
and many of our benefactors provide is an opportunity for our
young people to celebrate and experience the joy of opening
special presents purchased just for them,” Oakley said.
The Gregorys along with several other members of the
group celebrate with MCH each year during Carols and Candles.
This sentiment really speaks to the youth living at MCH.
“The girls absolutely loved having them here,” said Christina
Gerhardt, unit manager for the Prothro home. “The one thing
that was said over and over by the girls was that they felt special
that the Rockwall folks wanted to spend time with them and
were so generous with Christmas gifts. One of my girls said she
couldn’t believe they took time to come down from Rockwall to
spend time with them for the Christmas celebration.”
This relationship has grown throughout the years, and
First UMC Rockwall and the Gregorys have become special
friends of MCH. Pam treats the Prothro girls to an annual trip
to Rockwall for church and lunch. The group also sends birthday
cards, Easter gifts and some Valentine’s Day presents.
“We have decided Christmas is great and we will continue
our Christmas endeavors with MCH, but there’s also a tremendous
opportunity to touch a child’s life the other 364 days of
the year,” Tom said. “It is a blessing for me and Pam to have
gotten involved so deeply with MCH.”
“The one thing that was said over and over by the girls was that
they felt special that the Rockwall folks wanted to spend time with
them and were so generous with Christmas gifts.”
— Christina Gerhardt, MCH Unit Manager
Sunshine I Winter 2013
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