A Bright Start to Christmas

Sixty-six Bright Start families attended the 15th annual Christmas party last Thursday, December 5, at Central Baptist Church in Sioux Falls. Along with getting photos taken with Santa, Bright Start clients enjoyed a Christmas feast from Tony’s catering. Families with children could do a foot painting craft and expecting parents could make ornaments for their new babies. For some kiddos, the sugar cookies were the highlight of the evening.

“I think Liam’s favorite part of tonight is getting to eat the star cookies. He’s obsessed with stars and moons at the moment,” laughed Rainy Decker. Rainy enrolled in Bright Start shortly after she found out she was pregnant with her now two-year-old son, Liam. This is their third and final Bright Start Christmas party since Liam will be graduating from the Bright Start program soon.

“My favorite part of tonight is the footprint craft we do. I love to see the transformation of how he is growing,” said Rainy. “With activities like this, you can tell the Bright Start staff put so much time, effort and thought into everything they do.”

“Rainy is pure goodness,” said Bright Start Nurse Amanda Tilberg. Amanda has been with Rainy since she enrolled in the program.

“I feel like you make a friendship with your clients and having an event like this allows us to enjoy each other's company and focus on those relationships outside of the job.”

Kathy Schneider is the Assistant Program Director of Bright Start. She enjoys seeing her staff building close relationships with their clients.

“Having the opportunity to interact with clients outside of visits is so rewarding. For me to see how meaningful the relationship is between each nurse and their clients never ceases to amaze me,” said Kathy. “The nurses pour their hearts into these families, often building a relationship that lasts for years past when a client leaves the Bright Start program.”

“I don’t know where we would be without Bright Start because it’s helped in so many different ways. I’m trying hard not to think about this being our last year,” said Rainy. “It’s just really helpful to have Amanda in my corner. She’s not just my bright start nurse; she’s my mentor, my counselor, my friend. She’s everything.”