Partners in Kind recently completed its annual holiday event, known as “Remember the Magic”, which is geared towards children and families that have dealt with a traumatic event or suffered a loss within the past year.

“It’s about presence, not presents,” said Melissa Pietrkiewicz, Founder of Partners in Kind.

Partners in Kind launched Remember the Magic roughly seven years ago to support children and families in the community dealing with hardships. Pietrkiewicz wanted to come up with a way to support members of the community who might not fall under the same parameters in terms of needs that other community programs support.

“We want to make sure the kids have gifts to open on Christmas, but what about the families who may have the means, but dad is undergoing chemo, so there’s no time to shop,” Pietrkiewicz said.

The Partners in Kind leadership team, including Mrs. Claus, surprised 37 children at their doors with presents and a reminder that they are loved despite the hardship their family is facing.

Remember the Magic began as an in-person event with music and pancakes.

After the pandemic, it became harder to get families together around the holidays, especially with some of the children or family members dealing with illnesses. Instead, the event became what Pietrkiewicz referred to as “Mrs. Claus’ traveling road show.” Partners in Kind fixes up a truck with decorations and music, then drives around town to deliver gifts to families in need of a pick-me-up during the holiday season.

“For five or 10 minutes, Mrs. Claus’ attention is just on them. We visit in the driveway or on the porch and then we’re on our way,” Pietrkiewicz said.

Remember the Magic serves a wide variety of families, from children who have suffered from traumatic events and severe hardships themselves, to children who have family members dealing with hardships such as a severe illness or death, to families victimized by a house fire or other life-changing events. Partners in Kind also works with families connected with the Child Advocacy Program, as well as children impacted by the justice system or foster care.

Pietrkiewicz stressed the importance of supporting the entire family through trauma, including caretakers and family members who are indirectly impacted. Pietrkiewicz said, “What about the grandma that now has custody of her grandchildren? Who is taking care of her? Well, we are.”

Pietrkiewicz dressed up as Mrs. Claus again this year, and with the help of the Partners in Kind leadership team, they delivered gifts to 37 children in Chautauqua County. Everyone in the family, including pets, were given gifts for the holidays. The gifts vary from presents on a child’s wish list to practical gifts such as cookie kits, gift cards for a meal out, or even covering the cost of utilities for the family.

The families were referred to Partners in Kind by social workers, teachers, nurses, and other agencies. Pietrkiewicz is a social worker herself, while Partners in Kind is made up of community members of various occupations. The organization is focused on “creating a community” within Chautauqua County, and the Remember the Magic event is one of the most impactful ways they have found to do just that.

“It’s just a really beautiful expression of love. I love watching all the people at Partners in Kind come together,” Pietrkiewicz said. “… It’s a great way to round off our year of giving.”

Pietrkiewicz said many of the events Partners in Kind holds each year evolves with the needs of the community, but for better or worse, Remember the Magic is not going anywhere.

“This is one that we won’t ever let go of,” she said.