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The Mission Attempt holds 4th annual Hope for the Holidays event in North St. Louis County
On Saturday, Dec. 16, The Mission Attempt will hold its fourth annual Hope for the Holidays event, which helps wishes come true for more than 40 North St. Louis County families who need assistance this winter. This local charity has raised more than $25,000 this year for its work in the community, thanks to generous donors, including Laura Cohen, Kitasha Crawford’s Laced Taxes, County Councilwoman Rita Heard Days, Paraquad, Margie Simon, Regina Starks, and Trudy Busch Valentine.
The Mission Attempt is grateful to City of Northwoods Mayor Sharon Pace for hosting the event at Northwoods City Hall from noon to 3 p.m. Mayor Pace has been a steadfast supporter of The Mission Attempt and the work it is trying to do in the community. Families will be able to share in a meal and celebrate the holidays with community members and volunteers, as well as receive holiday gifts from their wish lists.
The first holiday gift-giving event was held during the pandemic in 2020. In the years since then, the families have changed, but the need has been persistent. “Our slogan is ‘To love is to help’, and we mean it. We founded this charity to take direct action in our community. Too often charities come in from the outside and don’t really know the people they are serving. We are home-grown.” said Daneika Irving, co-founder and President of The Mission Attempt Board of Directors.
“What makes us different is that we hope the families we help this year will be in a position to help other families next year. We have faith in their futures. We have been in their shoes at points in our own lives, and we know how much difference a kindness can make when things seem their darkest,” said Teona McGhaw, co-founder and Executive Director of The Mission Attempt.
Originally formed under the umbrella of the L.I.F.E. Foundation, The Mission Attempt received its own 501(c)(3) status in 2023. “We are proud to be able to stand on our own and serve North St. Louis County,” said Vice President Thomasina Sargent. Work in the community includes the annual Jolly July Gala, which celebrates local businesses and individuals who are making a difference in North St. Louis County; a back-to-school drive to help students have what they needed to get their school year off to a good start; assistance with disconnected utility bills in the heat of summer; and regular food delivery to families.
