Church and Corporate Partners Give Back to Kinship Families

Staff from Westport Homes deliver a refrigerator the company donated to a Kinship family at The Villages.

As we recognize September’s National Kinship Care Month, it’s important to not only honor the commitment of our families at The Villages who are caring for young relatives who need a safe home through the Family Connection Network, but also recognize the support and generosity of our partners. Westport Homes, a D.R. Horton Company, staff and a fellowship group at Cornerstone Lutheran Church in Carmel are two of many examples of how our partners give back to meet the critical needs of kinship families.

When two Villages’ kinship families had a need for a dryer and refrigerator, both responded in a big way. Cornerstone’s fellowship group purchased and installed a new dryer for the family and had the old one removed. Another kinship family’s refrigerator stopped working shortly after taking in a newborn grandchild. Westport Homes donated a new refrigerator from their design room and their staff stepped up and delivered it to the family.

For Westport Homes, supporting children and families at The Villages is a commitment shared company-wide. Westport Homes has partnered with The Villages for eight years.

“Our team really enjoys the big impact small donations and in-kind gifts can provide to The Villages families,” said Matt Dunn, Westport Homes Division President and Villages board member.

It’s been more than nine months since Cornerstone’s fellowship group began a partnership with The Villages. Hollie Nicholson, one of the Cornerstone’s group members, is proud that the group is making an impact beyond giving money and items, but establishing an ongoing relationship with a kinship family.

“It didn’t take much convincing to get our group excited to help one of The Villages’ kinship families. It was a no brainer,” said Nicholson “We not only wanted to help these three children, but we also wanted to be a blessing to the grandparents who were taking care of the children. Our group plans to do some kind of project three or four times a year with this same family.”

We are grateful for these and all of our partners at The Villages who are committed to enriching the lives of the children and families we serve.

If your business or organization is interested in partnering with The Villages, email Abbi Achterberg, Director of Community Engagement.