Creating traditions

Traditions are on everyone's mind this time of year. For Thrive!, it started with Halloween.

Thrive! families enjoyed an evening of costume-clad kids, candy-filled bags and sugar-induced fun as community volunteers ran Halloween-themed games. It marked the second year of what is becoming an annual gathering. 

Establishing holiday traditions is a Thrive! program goal. Why? Traditions bring people together.  Traditions build memories. And traditions build stability. 

“We like to provide a lot of experiences for our families, establish traditions, and model things that perhaps they hadn’t had in their life,” explains Susan Wendland, Thrive! Youth Program and Resource Development Coordinator. “It’s important to celebrate Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas. We continue to meet during holidays. If we miss a time, our families miss it.”

Intended to benefit Thrive! families, holiday celebrations also touch volunteers. Nicholle Scheibe volunteered with Thrive! as a K-State student and continues to volunteer as an alumna. “My heart is here. I love everybody here, and it really is like a family,” Nicholle warmly shares. “I’ve really grown attached to Thrive! and like seeing the outcomes of simply being with others.”

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