Every year, when The Home holds its Big Wishes Gift Drive, we receive a few unexpected gifts. Occasionally, someone dropping off toys for youth in our care reveals that they, too, were served by The Home. Some remember receiving our special holiday deliveries and how much they appreciated the kindness of our community; others share their stories.
Photographer and videographer Megan Farretta, who manages the bridal department at Anthropologie in Chestnut Hill, is a recent example. As a child, she worked with one of our clinicians during her transition from foster care to adoption. Through play and art therapy, she learned how to manage the swirl of emotions she was feeling, as her journey, which was rooted in pain and loss, bloomed into a new life filled with stability, possibility and love.
Megan credits that support with helping her build the foundation, tools and relationships that allowed her to heal and thrive. Twenty years later, she has returned to The Home on her terms, spearheading toy drives for our organization through her store’s community relations efforts.
When collecting gifts, Megan is open about why she has chosen to give back. Colleagues and customers are moved by her experiences and courage. When they see her—a model of kindness, talent and success—they see thousands of other children deserving of the same opportunity. So they give.
Those efforts were just the beginning. Last spring, Megan shared her story on a larger stage in a video premiere at Voices & Visions, The Home’s signature fundraiser.
In shining a light on the journeys of foster care adoptees, Megan captured the hearts of everyone in The Fairmont Copley Plaza ballroom. Her contribution helped to inspire a remarkable $1.2 million raised for The Home.
That kind of impact goes beyond spreading holiday joy. It is the spark that lights transformative change to be felt for generations.
