Yolo Crisis Nursery: Tiny tots in need all year

By Becky Heard

It’s official. The holiday season is in full swing. Nearly everywhere we look, festivities abound.

The Yolo Crisis Nursery is no different. As this column goes to print, supporters will have already procured and wrapped Christmas gifts for 25 of our most disadvantaged families. Without this support, our clients simply would go without. Restoring hope by meeting basic needs makes this an especially joyous time.

As we immerse ourselves in the annual hustle and bustle, however, we must also turn our attention to the new year. After all, December is but one of 12 months.

Every day, the nursery welcomes little ones and their families facing intense chaos. The bottom simply falls out with no regard to calendar convenience.

It is not uncommon, then, for some of these days to occur on another special occasion, such as a child’s birthday.

As hard as it is to imagine, many children will celebrate milestones away from their families in the temporary, loving care of nursery staff.

Without a doubt, safety and peace are the most important gifts we offer, but it’s also nice to deliver a special gift, brightly wrapped and tied in a bow.

From the earliest beginnings of the nursery, Alphabet Moon Toys & Treasures served as the perfect conduit for such generosity. Every December, a giving tree would take residence at the store. Customers would purchase a toy for a specified age and gender, and the staff would forward it to the nursery. Once all holiday needs were met, leftovers would be stored, and birthdays would be properly acknowledged.

Regrettably, as we all know, Alphabet Moon didn’t survive the recession. Consequently, we no longer have a one-stop resource to serve our children.

A child’s security is the most important gift we provide, but we are saddened by the loss birthday presents — a simple luxury that meant so much to tiny tots with vulnerable hearts.

As you conclude your holiday preparations, perhaps you’ll discover a little extra in your budget. If you do, please consider purchasing a small toy for a boy or girl ages 0-5, and call 530-758-6680 for delivery times and information.

On behalf of the Yolo Crisis Nursery, I wish you a peaceful conclusion to 2012 and an abundance of reasons to celebrate in the new year.

— Becky Heard is president of Friends of the Yolo Crisis Nursery. Her column is published monthly.