A Message From Michelle Lavallee

Dear Children’s Home Society Team Members:

Happy New Year! I hope you had a lovely holiday season and are ready for 2025!

With the new year, we reflect on the successes and challenges of the past and look forward to the future. At Children’s Home Society, our future is a bright one indeed with many exciting initiatives underway. With these initiatives come some needed changes in our leadership structures to ensure we continue to be successful in our important mission. Click here to continue reading.

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The Christmas Card Project

Picture this—the year was 1843, and a gentleman by the name of Sir Henry Cole was so extremely busy during the holiday season that he didn’t know when he was going to have time to bake cookies, put up decorations, wrap gifts and continue to work. With so many tasks to complete—and not enough hours in the day—Cole needed a speedy solution. He decided to commission friend and well-known artist, John Calcott Horsley, to design a card that he could send to everyone so he wouldn’t have to write individual holiday letters.

Horsley, being a good friend, got to work on a design. The center of his drawing featured a family enjoying Christmas dinner and on the sides of the card were depictions of acts of service. At the bottom of the card it read, “A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to You.” Once Cole had the design, he rushed to the printer and had 1,000 copies made. The card saved an incredible amount of time for Cole because he only had to address who the card was being mailed to. And that is how the first commercial Christmas card was born.

Cole’s idea quickly became famous and is still a popular holiday tradition today. Sending holiday cards is a great way to keep in contact and pass along well wishes to friends and families—both near and far. According to Hallmark and the Greeting Card Association...Read more

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Happy Holidays

The holidays may be over, but the festivities continue! Click here to see the latest holiday highlights.

JANUARY CELEBRATIONS

Happy first full week of January! Check out this month’s staff birthdays and work anniversaries and help your coworkers celebrate their special day!

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CHS SCRAPBOOK

SFCH Preschool/Kindergarten Teacher Cheryl Lundin recently shared an update about her dog, Tyka. As you may recall, Tyka was our November Featured Pet and she has multiple show wins under her fluffy coat. Tyka is starting off this new year in style as she now holds the title of number one Owner-Handler Samoyed in the nation! Congratulations, Cheryl and Tyka!

OPEN FOR BUSINESS: CHS SWAG

A new year means a new wardrobe, right? If so, you’re in luck because the CHS Apparel store is officially open for business! Find your perfect shirt, pants, bag or hat. AND don’t forget to check out all the Stand for Good and school spirit wear. The store will only be open until Wednesday, January 15. Happy Shopping!

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BRING IT ON: FREE DOWNLOAD

Need inspiration on your path to success? Get your free download today of Bring It On, a new book authored by CHS Board Member and A&B Business Solutions Owner Dennis Annenson. Check it out.

EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT SURVEY

The employee engagement survey is now open! This is your opportunity to tell us what makes CHS a great place to work and
give suggestions on what can be improved. Watch for an email from Children’s Home Society via Culture Amp.

The survey is 100% confidential and will take 10-15 minutes to complete. It is only open until January 20. Don’t miss your
chance to make CHS’ work culture better! Click here to read the Q&A for more.

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