Bold Construction and Domicile Realty partnered with Chatham County Schools for a “Holiday Cheer” program, providing gifts this Christmas to children from low-income homes.
Working through The Learning Trail — a nonprofit in northeast Chatham which provides low-income children through grade 8 and their families with needed academic and social support for children to reach their full academic potential — the companies, with financial assistance from Governors Club, purchased gifts from Christmas wish lists from children in the program and celebrated the season with them.
This year marked Bold/Domicile’s fourth year in the initiative. Working with volunteers from the Governors Club neighborhood and staff from North Chatham Elementary, Bold and Domicile employees shopped for 180 children and their families, purchasing items from toys to warm winter clothes.
“The Holiday Cheer program is one of our favorite activities of the year,” said Bold co-owner Chris Ehrenfeld. “Our team loves shopping for the specific items on each child’s wish list. I think we all imagine the joy on the faces of these children when they receive their gifts. We are happy to help make the holiday season a little brighter for these children in our community.”
Ehrenfeld, who is part-owner of the News + Record, said his team looks forward to purchasing these gifts each year and was proud to help children in the local school program.
“It’s a privilege to add a little joy to families in the community this holiday season,” he said.
The program reached 136 children last year, which had been a record. The gift-giving project started a few years ago, but those involved were able only to purchase gifts for 30 of the 87 children. Bold Construction picked up the tab for the rest of the group and has been involved ever since, specifically by handling management of “Holiday Cheer.”
Wish lists for the students and siblings involved typically include winter coats, blankets, warm clothing, toys and outdoor recreational equipment.
Thomas Brinson, the director of golf at Governors Club,said the club had been involved in a prior version of the program. For the last two years, though, they’ve assisted Bold and Domicile by sponsoring a “Santa Open” golf event at the club, raising more than $10,000 each of the last two years to help foot the bill for the gifts.
“The club has gotten behind this initiative because it’s helping kids in our own backyard,” Brinson said. “Everybody wants to give and be a part of it, to tangibly be a part of something that’s making a big impact for these kids.”