Let It Be Us Welcomes Children Through Foster Care and Adoption at a Family-Friendly Holiday Event

Let It Be Us, together with staff, volunteers, and sponsors, welcomed families through foster care and adoption to a family-friendly holiday event of decorating gingerbread houses with lunch.  For those attending the ‘Candy Cottage for a Cause’ Gingerbread Fundraiser for Foster Care and Adoption, families were greeted at the front door of Barrington’s White House in Barrington, Illinois and started their experience by visiting with Santa by the Community Christmas Tree. 

Families were served a kid-friendly lunch as foster and adoptive parents worked with children to create their own individual gingerbread house masterpieces. “This event served children and families,” said Susan McConnell, Founder and Executive Director. “I am very thankful to the sponsors of this event. Giving children access to events like this, while surrounded by a community, is a beautiful thing to see. Meeting with families who received their placements through Let It Be Us was the most heartwarming part of the whole day. To watch someone hold their child and thank you for making it happen is most humbling and will remain with me forever.” 

Carolyne Osterhues, a member of the Board of Directors from Let It Be Us, said, “Seeing children and families having such a great time decorating gingerbread houses brought me so much joy. What a great way to start the holiday season!” 

Kaycee Coles, another member of the Board of Directors from Let It Be Us, said, “There is nothing better than seeing the smiling faces and hearing the little giggles of children. I look forward to helping Let It Be Us with this heartwarming event in the future and I hope the community continues to support Let It Be Us and the ‘Candy Cottage for a Cause’ event!” 

The event featured a local gingerbread expert, Gail Parmenter, of Wauconda, Illinois. Gail has designed and decorated gingerbread houses for generations. Her expertise for this event was welcomed by the children and her gifts of experience, time and patience made the day extra special. 

Some of the ‘Candy for a Cause’ Committee: Carolyne Osterhues, Suzy Patno, Kyla Marabella, and Gail Parmenter. Gail is a gingerbread house expert. 

Two gingerbread houses are on display with raffle tickets, and the winner will be drawn on December 15,  at the following locations:

Phillips Men’s Wear (Gingerbread house by Kate Marker) (Raffle has ended)

123 East Station Street

Barrington, Illinois 60010

Long & Company Jewelers (Gingerbread house by Gail Parmenter) (Raffle continues thru December 22) 

105 East Main Street

Barrington, Illinois 60010

The event was sponsored by many individuals and companies who made the day possible for the children: 

Phillips Men’s Wear

Kate Marker

The Barn Nursery 

Kyla Marabella

Berger Excavation

Barsati Foundation

Peter Schenck 

Jaclyn and Jeffrey Kapcheck 

Union One Benefits Administration 

Liisa and Justin Gent 

Dorothy and Brian McManus 

Susan Patno and Family 

CWF Restoration

Barrington Bath & Body 

Thomas Kusmerz 

Maureen Wood 

To the upcoming Let It Be Us Toy Drive  which takes place later in December, please contact:

Susan McConnell
Executive Director
Let It Be Us
susanmcconnell@letitbeus.org
847-528-2044

To see more photos of the day please visit the Let It Be Us Facebook Page.