Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Give Back this Holiday Season!


 "To laugh often and much; 
To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; 
To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends;
To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others;  
To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded."

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

 


Help me to give back this holiday season by donating time or money, or adopting a family in need.  


This is a rare charitable opportunity where your gifts will be given directly to a family.  

If money is an issue, you can help with 
organizing donations, wrapping, and dropping off. 


Please read this through... even a small donation can be put towards an outfit for a child.  

My good friend Ann began this Holiday program several years back; this will be my fifth year helping her.  These families have no basics (food, clothing) and certainly no gifts.  The names come Valley High School, one of the poorest districts in the state. Typically there are several children and sometimes one parent, and rarely two.  Once their amount of need is determined, we help as many families as we can, with the neediest families getting “adopted” first.   Every year is a different but very moving experience. Last year we adopted seventeen families; this year we have committed to 20.   

Without us, these families would 
not have a Christmas at all. 

These families are living in extreme poverty, and we try to see that they get just the basics, first.  If we have extra, it will go towards gifts for the children. 

Here is how it works:


  • We try to get a pair of pants, a shirt, a sweater or jacket and a pair of shoes for each kid.  
  •  We like to get them things they can return easily with a gift receipt.  Target is always a good option. 
  • We also like to get each child a book and one toy/game/fun, and have the same number of gifts for each child. 
  • The gifts will be delivered to the families on Christmas Eve.  
  •  I will also need to find $200 for a grocery gift certificate for each family. 


Please let me know if you can make a contribution, or take a child, or even adopt a family!

Also, if you have any gently used blankets that you would like to donate please let me know. 
If you are able to, there are still several families that need a team captain, so please let me know if you are up for that!  
Seeing the look on the children’s faces when you deliver the gifts is priceless. 
I know that times are tough, so anything that you can do to help is greatly appreciated.  
Every donation helps!
Please contact me with any questions at all!

Happy Holiday's to everyone!
lizfitness@gmail.com
949-573-0378