The Story Behind Jay’s Christmas Party for Kids

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My name is Robin (Lefebvre) Danaher, and together with my sister, Debbie Purcell, we are honored to share the story behind Jay’s Christmas Party for Kids — an event that began as a tribute to our incredible mother, Jeannette “Jay” Lefebvre.

Our mom was a kind, hardworking woman who spent most of her life caring for others. She worked as a caregiver for the Pomerleau Family and their ten children for over forty years. Over time, she became so much more than a caregiver — she became part of their family, adopted and loved as one of their own.

Jay passed away from lung cancer in 2006, but her legacy of love, giving, and joy continues to shine. Shortly after her passing, Mr. Pomerleau — whom our mother deeply respected and adored — met with Debbie, me, and two of his daughters. He said, “I really want to do something special in Jay’s memory. Why don’t you girls toss around some ideas and get back to me?”

We thought about a soup kitchen, because she loved to cook. Maybe a food pantry, because she loved grocery shopping for the family. But what Jay truly loved most was Christmas — and kids.

Even with very little of her own, she always found joy in giving. Every year, she’d buy small gifts like pens and notepads for the Pomerleau children. Her home was tiny, but her Christmas spirit was huge — she even kept a ten-foot Christmas tree up all year long in her little bedroom!

And so, the idea for Jay’s Christmas Party for Kids was born — a celebration for our community that captures her love for children and the magic of Christmas. With the full support of Community Bible Church (now Vibrant Church), what started as a small tribute quickly grew into one of the church’s biggest and most joyful community outreach events. Each year, countless volunteers come together to create a magical experience for local children and families.

The Pomerleau Foundation has generously sponsored this event every year, making it possible for us to continue spreading Jay’s joy and kindness to others.

In 2022, we launched a second event — Starry Night, a Christmas celebration designed especially for children with learning and social disabilities. The Pomerleau family immediately said “yes,” and now we are blessed to host two heartwarming parties each year.

Both events are living tributes to Jay’s spirit — her love for Christmas, her love for children, and her belief that giving, no matter how small, can make the world a brighter place.