Gifts from the Heart- The Sequel

We opened our hearts, and our gifts touched the lives of SO many people, near and far.  It was a far greater and more powerful experience than any of us expected!  The gifts touched our hearts completely at this special time of year.

• Linell filled a huge box of goodies (edible and fun items) to send to the son of a friend who works at her school.  The son is serving his third tour of duty in Iraq.  Linell wanted to let him know that he is in our thoughts this Christmastime.
• Lee contacted friends and added to his initial gift for a total of $60, which he donated to The V Foundation for Cancer Research.  The V Foundation was founded by ESPN and NC State basketball coach, Jim Valvano.
• Leslie, also, solicited friends, co-workers, neighbors, and relatives to donate.  Her $10 grew to $250 which she used to purchase toys for CHOC's (Children's Hospital of Orange County) hospitalized children.
• Kevin purchased toys, too, for our local Toys for Tots drive. 
• Kim, Scott, Matthew, and Courtney pooled their money and made a donation to the dog shelter where they rescued their newest member of the family, Casey.
• Jeff, Linda, and Madison pooled their money, too.  They purchased Christmas presents to give to eight and nine year old girls who call the Long Beach Rescue Mission "home".
• Laurie, Stu, Ben, and Nicholas were, also, a family who pooled their money.  They bought coats and jackets to give to a Sacramento charity, called "Coats for Kids".
• Meredith gave a donation to Sheepfold Shelter, which offers safe refuge for mothers and their children.
• Bob made a donation to SmileTrain, which provides free cleft palate surgery to children around the world.
• Karl asked friends to donate clothes, jackets, and shoes to give to Charlie Street Center, a men's 12 Step program and safe meeting place in Costa Mesa, CA.