A Season of Giving…

That’s a wrap folks! The fall semester has officially come to a close. With the help of good Wi-Fi, blue light glasses, a little patience, and a whole lot of grit we made it through. I suppose the impromptu dance breaks in the living room helped too… and the ones in the kitchen. 

We cut our Wednesday-Wednesday finals week in half with a lovely Christmas party on Sunday night; board members blessed our stoop with goody bags and other treats, and classes rounded out with a graceful bang.   

It was a week full of Thanksgiving, Christmas cheer, and the bittersweet closing of another chapter in AO House life. Thank goodness there is an exciting one ahead--starting today!
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5 Days of giving

​​In tandem with the global Giving Tuesday, Thanksgiving, and Christmas seasons, today launches our new fundraiser, 5 Days of Giving. Donations will be allocated to a different component of house life according to daily themes.

​Today, Tuesday the 1st of December, Facebook has agreed to match all donations made through their platform!

​The AO House was born and has been raised from the ground up, purely on the vision and support of people with giving hearts. The process never stops. Every year brings changes, poses unique challenges, and adds blessed memories to the photo album of AO life. But every year requires detailed care and flexibility from our leaders to cultivate an enriching experience. To do that well, both our leaders and our students need freedom from the financial burden that often comes with being a student or ministry worker. Every dollar helps, and as residents, we notice! We notice when our stockings are full at the Christmas party; we notice when we can go somewhere truly special for retreat; we notice when we can do activities as a house, like go bowling or just get ice cream without anyone feeling awkward and left out because they can’t afford to participate. We notice, and we are so grateful and lucky to have a community that cares about the quality of experience we have as university students. ​

So from one, on behalf of all, THANK YOU. You are making a difference in all the best ways.​

Follow the link on our home page or find us on social to donate!
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​Christmas Party

The holiday style ranged from posh to pajama, but all were equally as merry and bright as we sat down to a beautiful “Roast Beast” dinner prepared by AO staff. Jingle bells and laughter rang through the halls; the stockings were hung by the chimney with care, and we were each other’s Saint Nicholas… so there! The ensuing night of Guess That Lyric and Secret Santa-ing was a perfect respite of joy amid stress, a perfect practice of giving and Thanksgiving in preparation for the holiday that was actually to come… ​​
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​A Round of Thanks...

To all of our Board Members, Alumni Committee members, and to all the donors both this go around and the many before, we thank you. Life as we know it at the AO would not be possible without you! We move into the Holiday Season and the start of a new year with you in our hearts. Please don’t hesitate to reach out!

Go in peace, joy, and Christ’s light this Christmas,
AO House staff 

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written by Sarah Griffin, former resident.