“The holidays may change, but the reason we show up stays the same.”

On April 1, Native Land Cares headed to the Mastic Community Center with one simple purpose: to wish our adopted family through Colonial Youth a Happy Easter and bring a little extra holiday joy to the children.

It was another moment in a relationship that has grown far beyond one holiday.

Through our partnership with Colonial Youth, we have had the opportunity to be there for our adopted family throughout the year — celebrating the occasions children look forward to and helping make those moments a little more special.

More Than Christmas

Our relationship with Colonial Youth began with the idea of helping a family during the Christmas season.

Christmas gifts and food are an important part of that tradition, but we never wanted our support to begin and end in December.

Children look forward to special moments throughout the entire year.

Halloween means choosing a costume and getting excited for Halloween night.

Easter means baskets, treats, and another holiday to look forward to.

These traditions may seem simple, but they are part of childhood.

Being able to help make sure our adopted family can enjoy them is one of the reasons this relationship has become meaningful to Native Land Cares.

Continuing to Show Up

Over time, our support for the family has included Christmas gifts and food, Halloween costumes, and Easter baskets.

Each occasion is different, but the idea behind it is the same.

We want the family to know that our support is not limited to one day on the calendar.

For us, adopting a family means building a relationship and continuing to show up when there is an opportunity to make one of those moments a little brighter.

“Sometimes caring for your community is simply making sure people know you are still there.”

Why Colonial Youth Matters

Colonial Youth has spent years helping families throughout our local community.

Their work has provided support, comfort, and assistance to people during times when they needed it, and our partnership gives Native Land Cares an opportunity to support an organization that has done so much for others.

That is what makes this relationship important to us.

It is not simply about delivering an Easter basket, buying a Halloween costume, or placing presents under a Christmas tree.

Those are the individual moments.

The larger story is about organizations within a community working together to help families and making sure that support continues throughout the year.

A Happy Easter from Native Land Cares

This Easter visit was a simple one, but that is part of what makes traditions like this meaningful.

Another holiday.

Another opportunity to show up.

Another chance to give the children something to be excited about and remind a family that people in their community are thinking about them.

We are grateful to Colonial Youth for allowing Native Land Cares to continue being part of our adopted family's special moments, and we look forward to continuing the tradition throughout the year.

Carry the Culture and Care for the Community.

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