A Christmas Blessing

disability services
February 3, 2026
Disability services enhance mobility and independence by providing wheelchairs, advocating for accessibility, and supporting innovative solutions.
Show More
A group of people are playing instruments on a stage in front of a crowd.
By Hope Haven October 24, 2025
February 13, 7:00 PM - 11:00 PM
A large group of people are sitting at long tables in a large room.
By nicole.andree October 6, 2025
March 27, 2026
More Posts →

This year at Christmastime Brody Lauritsen had a unique idea to help spread holiday cheer. Brody’s mother Nicole works with Hope Haven’s My Day program in Estherville Iowa and that connection got Brody thinking about the children that Hope Havens serves at nearby Faith Hope & Charity (FHC) in Storm Lake Iowa.

With some help from his family Brody obtained and wrapped 108 Christmas gifts for the children at FHC – four presents for each child served at this location.

Hope Haven Spiritual Associate Jim Hudzinski recounts “I have the joy of spending time with Hope Haven’s My Day groups in the Iowa Lakes Corridor and this month we had decided to write notes and create handmade Christmas ornaments for the kids served by Hope Haven at Faith Hope and Charity (FHC) in Storm Lake. When Nicole “Nikki” Lauritsen (My Day staff member) let me know that her son Brody wanted to get gifts for the kids at FHC I couldn’t have felt more grateful.”

“Brody said that he so glad to make sure the kids have a Merry Christmas ” remarks Brody’s mom Nicole.

FHC is licensed as an ICF/ID (Intermediate Care Facility for individuals with Intellectual Disability) home for children ages 2-21. ICF/ID is a 24 hour a day total care service providing housing meals activities nursing recreation skill building community interaction and many other services needed by the children served.

“I was so impressed by this young man ” adds Hudzinski.  “What Brody did was an incredibly generous gesture and one that truly exemplifies what it looks like to give of oneself to others.” 

The post A Christmas Blessing appeared first on Hope Haven.