Madison Academy’s gymnastic team throw Christmas program for foster families, women in-need

On the weekend of December 11 and 12, Madison Academy, Tenn., welcomed community members to its annual Foster Family Party and Nashville Rescue Mission Banquet. The Christmas celebration included a special meal, gifts, and a show performed by the school’s gymnastic team.

The Foster Family Party was held on Saturday night, Dec. 11, where more than 20 kids and their families attended. Along with dinner, the guests got to participate in a cookie decorating activity and take pictures with Santa Claus. The following day, more than 50 ladies from Nashville Rescue Mission also got to experience a similar program.

Entertainment was provided by Madison Academy’s gymnastic team, Acros. On Saturday, they worked in collaboration with Acros Hawks and on Sunday they were joined by Gymnix – Madison Campus Elementary and Highland Academy’ gymnastic team, respectively.   

“I hope that the visitors experienced joy in the gifts we offered them and that they saw God’s love through that,” Madison Academy Freshman Joshua Taylor said.

The student gymnasts also helped set up, clean up and acted as severs during the meal.

“As teenagers, of course they love the applause they receive [during their performance],” said Kris Fuentes, Madison Academy principal. “But they also love serving a plate, filling up somebody's cup with juice, handing out an apple pie, hugging the children and sharing a smile.”

These Christmas celebrations were made possible through the donations of various organizations, including Walmart, Publix, Olive Garden and Nourish Christian Market Place. Madison Academy parents also made monetary donations to purchase gifts for the visitors and some even assisted during the event.

“I believe that you should take any opportunity you have to serve,” said Jennifer Downs, mother of a senior student at Madison Academy. Downs and her husband, Brandon, served food during the Sunday program. “That’s what I want to teach my son: It’s so much fun to give. It's actually more fun than Christmas itself because you're just getting to give Christmas to somebody else.”

This is the fifth year Madison Academy hosts the Nashville Rescue Mission Banquet and the second year it prepares the Foster Family Party. On December 3, 2021, the school was awarded the Volunteer Tennessee Award of Excellence – a recognition given to K-12 schools actively engaged in public service.