By Maddy Cooper
December marks the beginning of the most wonderful time of the year.
Snowfall, sweets, Santa.
It’s the season of all that’s merry and bright.
But more importantly, it is also the season of giving.
Giving more than you need, volunteering your time, and donating to those who need it.
This is what the Secret Families Christmas charity is built upon.
Since the charity’s organization in 2004, founder Al Holdren has hosted the event that has sponsored more than 3,000 families throughout Delaware county.
“Sponsoring” includes gifts for each member of the family, a Christmas tree, a Bible, and a Meijer gift card to purchase a Christmas dinner.
Mrs. Lauren Griffis, a resource teacher at Delta High School, has been a part of Secret Families for more than 10 years.
“From [Secret Families], [families] get just a moment of happiness or joy because they have something that’s nice.” she says.
In the decade she has been a part of this charity, Griffis has taken on numerous roles within the charity.
She started as a shopper and gift wrapper but has recently moved to being what she calls “Al’s personal assistant.”
She spends her time answering urgent phone calls and making sure everything runs smoothly throughout the day.
This change in responsibilities means she doesn’t spend as much time dealing with the sponsored families.
When she was a shopper, she occasionally shopped for families from the Delaware Community Schools district.
“Although it is sometimes awkward, it’s a good thing to know that it brings happiness and joy to those students,” Griffis says.
She says that being a part of Secret Families allows her to pray for and with the families she meets.
Not only do many DHS teachers volunteer with Secret Families, many students do as well.
Sophomore Chloe Oliver is a wrapper for Secret Families and has been for three years.
She spends her early morning wrapping each individual present for the members of the families.
She initially got involved through Delta Middle School’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes in eighth grade.
Now, she says it’s a way for her and her grandma to spend time together and serve in the community.
“I think that everyone deserves the joy that Christmas brings, and I love to make that happen for other people who maybe can’t do that for themselves.” Oliver says.
She says it is a good reminder that Christmas is about giving, rather than receiving.
The Delta cheerleading team also volunteers every year.
Junior Aubrey Thomas has been a part of the team’s wrapping group for three years. She wraps in a group with teammates sophomore Alexa Bratton and seniors Brylee Beckley and Lindsey Lynch. Other cheerleaders also wrap together.
“Knowing that being able to simply wrap gifts for those in need can make such an impact is such an amazing feeling,” Thomas says.
The cheer team’s annual volunteer work at Secret Families has helped the charity expand its reach throughout the community.
As the need in the community grows, so does the Secret Families Christmas charity.
Each year, the charity aims to sponsor more families than the year before.
This year’s event, which was on Dec. 7, 2024, sponsored more than 360 families, allowing them to experience the joy of the Christmas season with the help of community donations.
Whether those contributions are from churches, businesses or individual families across Delaware County, the money raised makes it possible to spread holiday cheer.
Through the volunteering and donations of Secret Families, the most wonderful time of the year becomes a reality for the families who need it the most.
