14th Annual Report
By Karen & Bill Brown
The time passes all too quickly and it seems we find ourselves writing this report at the same time we are busily getting ready for another phase of Kristi’s Christmas.
A great BIG belated THANK YOU to all of you who have supported Kristi’s Christmas this past year. Whether it be your donation of time in helping in December, gifts of clothing, monetary contribution, or support with kind words for this project, we are indeed very grateful. Of course the real beneficiaries, the needy children in Fairfax County, are very happy you thought about them. All we can do in relaying their thanks is to share excerpts from letters we received from the schools and the children and a couple of pictures.
This year we were fortunate to make arrangements for a storage facility, thus allowing us to have a place to put items other than our home. When there is a really good sale on school supplies or clothing we would like to take advantage of it, as it never fails, requests for school supplies come in throughout the year, and unless you buy in Aug, you pay full price. We have always pledged to you that we will get the most out of every dollar. And by the way, your contributions are not paying for this storage facility. As always each penny given is used for the children.
The school year began with helping schools with supplies. It seems each school has different levels of needs. Some have very supportive PTAs and business relationships while others have nothing. Back packs, crayons, paper etc and clothing items are always a big help to these children trying to get off to a good start.
In December we spent over 10,000. The one day shopping trip was enjoyed by 46 students from 7 schools. The enthusiastic, though sleepy, high school buddies were waiting at the elem school on the Sat morning at 7:30. As the children arrived, the big buddies made them feel very special from the start. It usually takes a little time for the children to warm up to their new buddy, but before long, to see the bond which is forming is worth more than words could ever express. K Mart was once again an important part of the day. We purchased breakfast sandwiches and pizzas from them and had our breakfast at a school across the street which worked out very well. Pizza for these children was the big winner. Following breakfast we went to Kmart where each child was allowed to spend $100 on clothing for him/herself. It is always a joy to witness these children trying on new clothes and shoes, because so often they have never had that experience. The Rotarians who help that morning are always so pleased to see the well behaved and enthusiastic children.
Words just can’t begin to describe seeing these children riding in their cart being pushed by their buddy, or being carried by their buddy, smiling from ear to ear with excitement that they will have new clothes. When you see a child excited about a package of underwear, you know this opportunity for each of them is special. When everyone has checked out, we went back over to the school for the party with Santa’s annual visit. As in years past Santa makes each child feel very special and gives lots of encouragement and always a big hug. A bag full of goodies (back pack, sleeping bag, school supplies, toothbrush, toothpaste, play doh, a lap desk) and a huge cuddly bear are given to each child plus a $20 food certificate for each family. In addition to that shopping each counselor/principal was allowed to shop for other needy children in their school. Of course there was lots of other shopping during that month to fill other requests for specific “stuff”. We have had calls from 37 elementary schools since September.
There were offices which had toy drives and brought them to Kristi’s Christmas. We wish that each of you could realize the “above and beyond” these principals, teachers and counselors go to make sure their children are given some joy during the holidays that they would not otherwise experience.
It seems like so little to just say Thank You, but hopefully you will picture the smiles on these little faces and understand that there is such need in this County. There are so many people moving here and yes many from foreign countries. The children don’t get a vote on their circumstance, but all of us working together can make a difference in their lives, if just for a brief time.
We are reminded of the saying, “God Gave Us Memories so that we would have Roses in December” Just maybe we have given all of these children a rose.
Gallery
