Christmas on "The Hill"

As the Christmas season began on “the hill,” there was a true sense of magic and wonder felt in the community The official kickoff took place on November 28, when the second annual Twelve Days of Christmas contest began for staff and students. The contest launched with Christmas pajama day and continued for 11 fun-themed days The contest set the tone for an exciting and full holiday season ahead. For 2022, the staff winner of the Twelve Days of Christmas contest was Houseparent Jessica Rhine. The winning students tied between Nickolas Foday, Brian Blankson-Mills, David Blankson-Mills and Kelvin Blankson-Mills The holiday fun continued the evening of December 1 Students socialized and laughed to holiday music while decorating Christmas cookies and cards

Pastor Anne helped introduce the spiritual aspect of the season with a Eucharist chapel service to launch advent Following the service, all students participated in handcrafting advent wreaths for each cottage. As each Sunday passed in December, a new candle was lit in anticipation of honoring Jesus’s birth on Sunday, December 25 A special Christmas chapel service took place on December 12, reminding the students and all in attendance of the reason for the season.

The much-anticipated Christmas dinner and party occurred on December 12 Students, staff and guests gathered for a special dinner, a visit from Santa and exciting games. Once the games started, the Ingevity judges began their work for the annual cottage decorating contest The Boys Home tradition of decorating each cottage at Christmas dates back to 1966 We were delighted to welcome back judges from Ingevity, a local manufacturing plant and longtime supporter. Brown Cottage won best overall cottage with an impressive gingerbread bakery theme Additional winners were 1st place Christmas tree decorations – Green Cottage, 1st place inside decorations – Brown Cottage and 1st place outside decorations – Sam’s Cottage.

On December 14, Executive Director Doyle and his wife Katherine hosted a Christmas open house The evening included food, drinks and an announcement of the winners of the campus Christmas competitions To conclude the holiday celebrations, a Christmas staff luncheon took place on December 20 The event included socializing, appetizers, a delicious lunch, dessert and an expression of gratitude by Executive Director Chris Doyle The staff is crucial to making this mission possible 365 days a year To all the supporters who helped make 2022 a magical holiday season, we are thankful!