Gleason Family Christmas

Dec 25, 2022

Colleen frequently suggested that the family serve dinner at the Ronald McDonald House near Lurie Children’s (RMHC-CNI) on Christmas Day. Colleen and the Gleason family themselves spent several Christmas holidays at Lurie Children’s hospital. The holiday is a time to share and be generous. The Gleason family decided together to help serve a feast to families, sharing time together that also gives back to others stuck at the hospital on a holiday.

Colleen’s parents, brothers, uncles and aunts spent hours to prepare this delicious menu!

“We are here tonight to honor Colleen’s legacy by bringing the families of the Lurie House together tonight for a moment of holiday love and care. Family time together meant everything to Colleen and she always wanted to give to others.” - Mike Gleason

Meals were made from scratch. Everyone had a specialty to focus on. Soon delicious aromas filled the air as we hustled and bustled until dinner was done.

The Gleason family funded the dinner and enjoyed working together to prepare the feast. The family then, on behalf of the Colleen Cares Organization, made a monetary donation to the RMHC-CNI and donated many Target gift cards to be gifted to families at the Lurie House over the holidays for whatever they might need to brighten their celebrations!

The Gleason family wishes each of you a wonderful holiday with peace and health in the new year.

Here is a poem called ‘Christmas Recipe’ by Gay Dowling. We imagine Colleen would have liked it and led us to finding it - her goodness and love being reflected through her family’s actions sure made the day fun!

A pound of fun
And a pound of joy
Make a nice present
For a girl or boy.

A cup of goodness
And a cup of love
Really are gifts
From heaven above.

A pinch of holly
And a pinch of pine -
Now, we know
It's Christmas time.