Sharing HOPE
I have a bunch of updates about Christmas Crazy coming very soon. First, though, I wanted to share something from Alle-Kiski Area HOPE Center.
If you'll recall, Crazy Scary, the Christmas Crazy fundraiser held at ScareHouse, happened back in October. Together we raised $3,000 for the Christmas Crazy fund. Every penny of that money was sent directly to Alle-Kiski Area HOPE Center so that they can provide a better Christmas for the children who benefit from the services they provide. That piece of Christmas Crazy was "broken off" for a lot of reasons, but what I don't want to lose in that separation is the impact that $3,000 will have.
There's just one thing--safety concerns and privacy issues have to come first when it comes to kids who are affected by domestic violence. Period.
It's precisely those safety and privacy concerns that make it hard to show you how enormous of a difference your money makes. I can't post photos of kids opening their gifts on Christmas morning. I can't share their detailed stories. I can't provide any sort of potentially identifying information because it is literally dangerous to do so. So, I asked HOPE Center to write a little something so that I could post it here. This comes from Michelle, the Director of HOPE Center, and it's an example of how what you do makes a difference.
Imagine….
It was two days before Christmas. A mother and her three young boys (6, 3, and 2 years old) arrived at shelter. They began their journey nearly three months ago in Arkansas and had stayed at four shelters along the way. They were just trying to get “closer to home”. As mom settled their few things into their small room, her six-year-old son played with one of the shelter advocates. He told her that he didn’t think Santa would be able to find them in shelter. He said that Santa hadn’t found them in “a long time”. His mother confirmed that they hadn’t had Christmas for the past two years.
On Christmas morning, the mother entered the living room with her sons. There were several presents for each of them beneath the tree. When the boy opened the first package, he loudly yelled, “Socks! Socks! New Socks for ME!!!” Then, each of his brothers opened a present. When he opened his next present – Legos – He told his brothers, “Santa found us! Santa found us! I told you he would this time!” After they all opened their presents, the young boy returned to the tree. He ran back to his mother beaming his delight – "Look, Mommy – Look! Santa found you too!"
It was the beginning of their stay at HOPE – but the gifts under the tree…were the beginning of their hope. Thank you for sharing HOPE!
You guys, this little thing we do here every Christmas matters. It matters a lot.
Thanks for letting me be a part of it.
Christmas Crazy
Reader Comments (9)
Way to make me cry first thing in the morning!
This is a beautiful reminder of why Christmas Crazy is necessary. I am fortunate to know that Santa will find my boys this year and just knowing that Christmas Crazy will help Santa find some very deserving boys and girls just makes my day. Good work yinz guys!
The tears first thing in the morning... Our kids have it so good and they have never known any different. Thank you for starting this and making a difference for all of those families.
magnificent. thank you for proving an easy way for all of us to make a major difference in the lives of others.
Aaaand, I'm a blubbering mess.
Thank you for doing this every year. It's so wonderful.
I love you. That's all. Keep giving HOPE. YOU make a difference - your readers just help fund it. Awesome.
It is your fault if people at work think I am crazy because I cry at my computer,
And now I'm bawling at 6:30 in the morning. Thank you for sharing.
how can I get in on Christmas Crazy?? Not just get in by donating, but really get IN??? I've been wanting to find something to DO besides just giving money.