CHRISTMAS CONTEST (LAST DAY TODAY!)

[twinny4]

I love hearing about stories like Lane's too. That's just awesome! We've donated to The Tree of Hope every yearsince Janaya was 2. I want to raise my kids to understand that they need to appreciate everything that they have and realize that there are kids in this worldwho have absolutely nothing. Two Christmases ago I talked to my kids about giving up their big "mum and dad" Christmas present that they get eachyear and instead putting the money towards buying necessities for Basics for Babies. They not only agreed to it but were very excited about it. We wentshopping and bought more than $200 worth of food, formula, diapers, sippy cups, bottles, etc for needy babies. What a great feeling it was to put all ourpurchases inside the playpen on our way out the door.


~Karen

[redlinejohnny6872]

Excellent idea Karen, i'm glad i was an inspiration for you to do this contest.........

Here's a pic of all of the toys i bought, to donate on Sunday, Dec. 2nd, at the Toys 4 Tots/Countrywide Home Mortgage Car Show that's being held intheir parking lot in the Newbury Park/Thousand Oaks area just North of the 101.......

Some of you SoCal'ers should try to make the show, and bring those toys to donate!

Should inclement weather prevent the show, the toys will be dropped off at my local L.A.F.D. Station, 2 minutes from my home........

Karen, i'm choosing to sit this contest out, to allow another person that donates a chance to win, so keep my name out of the hat!

Good luck to all.........

[spectrakid]

wow jonny! WTG

[HD DON]

Great Contest! We should be doing a Toys for Tots collection at my job....Count me in.

DON

[rallyrose]

Hi! Karen...i dig this contest...a Great! way to give something for the Kids...

count me in...

[witechoklit77]

Great idea Karen....and some good stories and morals throughout the thread (Lane & Johnny in particular).
This has inspired me to arrange a toys-for-tots collection here in my own office. Everyone here has kids and I'm sure they'd be glad to donate if theyonly had to bring an item to work with them so I'll offer up a donation and my time to submit their donations as well....only an office of 20-25 ppl butthat will be a decent help to the cause. Thank you for getting me into the spirit as this is my own sons first real Christmas and I needed a little boost toget going!
I'll post on the result of my efforts here at work later on...

[bigdaddykarz]

Hola Karen,
You know i am all about giving so when i get back from the Thanksgiving holiday i will send you something nice for the old prize pot as well.
This is a very cool thing you are doing Karen. Kudos to you sweetie!!!!!!!

Mark

[deputyrob]

Took the jaunt to Walmart to donate my toy to Toys For Tots...here I am in the parking lot...

Here I am making my selection in my favorite place, the toy aisle, a Cars rip "Rip Stick Racers" Sheriff car of course...

And now me walking up to the Toys For Tots box, gettin some funny looks I might add...

Me placing the my donation in the box...

And the donation in the bottom of the box...I sure feel good!

[twinny4]

Awesome Rob. Your name is on the list.


~Karen

[PeepingScott]

This is very cool! Props to K for getting this all started! And the added prizes, what awesome people!
Lane's story...wow...WTG my man!!
And those that have already bought, very cool. I like the idea of getting your offices involved too, looks like this post is going to make a difference...
Here's what I've been doing for years and years. The idea popped into my head one day. I call it "Change for Families". We basically putall of our pocket change in a coffee can all year, and cash it in in November and buy where the need currently is. One year we went to Target and asked themanager if they could discount a bulk purchase of gloves and socks for the homeless(besides food, that is what they need the most), he hooked us up, and webought over 90 pairs! We usually have $200 to $300 in the change can, which gives us a lot of money to help people with. We really like to buy for a familywho's father is incarcerated in Prison. We enjoy getting the kids gifts, and taking good care of the mother. Most people think about the kids only, butmom is there too, and is more than likely not too thrilled about her situation, so we like to hopefully make her day.
So hopefully I'll get that can in soon to see what kind of play money we have this year. I know it won't be as much as in the past because of our verytight budget, but we'll still have some fun with it.
Thanks for the heart warmers!

You all make a difference, thanks for making this little planet a better place for many