The Gifts of the Fayards

O. Henry’s beautiful little story, “The Gift of the Magi,” tells the tale of deep personal sacrifice some people will make to provide a gift to a loved one during Christmastime, believing earnestly that it is better to give than to receive. There’s a Slidell couple who wholeheartedly agrees with that sentiment....

Local Family Brings Christmas Cheer to ‘Adopted’ Family

By: Justin Redman 

Christmas is the time of the year when a child’s face lights up with excitement from every present she opens from Santa. A time when families come together and enjoy the company of each other exchange gifts, and eat delicious foods. Each family has its own tradition, be it Secret Santa, Dirty Santa or just exchanging names, but for one Slidell family their tradition is the embodiment of the Christmas Spirit.

Jack Fayard, his wife Angela, and a few members of their family have not exchanged gifts with

Angela and Jack Fayard

each other since 2007.  That was the year they started their “Adopt a Family for Christmas tradition.”  Every year for Christmas, the Fayarads will adopt a family that is struggling financially or who otherwise would  not  be able to experience this joyous time of year.

Christmas is a big deal for Jack and his family. Growing up, Jack’s parents would ensure that every Christmas was a merry one and it didn’t matter if his parents’ business was busy or slow throughout the year. This feeling that Jack experienced growing is what drives him and his family every year to adopt a family who for whatever reason cannot afford the simplest of things. 

Jack believes that every family should be able to experience a festive Christmas and with the aid of friends and families who help by donating items that are on the list of the adopted family.  The Fayards are not part of an organization, and they handle every aspect of organizing, collecting donations and delivering the gifts to the family themselves.  Jack and his family have friends at various churches that help them with the selection of the family.

Since Jack started Adopt a Family for Christmas in 2007, the Fayards have helped seven families and this year because of the huge offering of support from their friends they will be adopting two families.  Jack looks forward to this every year and says that this is a huge blessing for his family.   For Jack to see a family a joyous Christmas is an honor and hopes that this is a family tradition that will continue for years to come.

Slidell Little Theatre’s production of “The Gifts of the Magi” – a musical homage to O. Henry’s classic tale – is on stage weekend through December 15.

Make reservations online at www.SlidellLittleTheatre.org