Growing Up Together

We have started a tradition in three short years.  It began with four backpacks filled with necessities and has grown in to something so much bigger.  Have a look at the following links and you can see for yourself!

CLICK HERE 2007 Christmas Party, page 1  This gives a quick look at the great day we had.  The girls were blown away with all we were able to do for them.  From Santa Portraits, a hot Turkey lunch with all the trimmings, hand knit scarves and baby hats for everyone, festive decorations including a live tree and of course, the backpacks and gifts of necessities.  This year, almost all of the girls saved their presents to take home and open on Christmas morning.  For most of them, this is all that they will get for Christmas.  Some will share their gifts with other family members who are not as fortunate. 

CLICK HERE 2007 Christmas Party, page 2  There are so many people behind the scenes helping to provide a fabulous Christmas to the students.  These are just a few of the volunteers and the staff of CalSAFE Emeryville.  (If you are not on here…send me your photos!)

CLICK HERE 2007 Christmas Party, page 3  We put together a small collection of the photos we took that day just to let you see things a little more up-close.  These are just a few of the girls and their babies.  Their smiles say it all!

To Those Who Gave So Generously

There are so many things to share about this party.  The girls went crazy over the hand knit scarves and hats!  We had so many generous volunteers this year that each student got a scarf and with a few extras a few took home gifts for their moms or sisters.  They were all so thrilled and it was a big hit!  Thanks Jen(she did all the baby hats and several baby blankets), Erin, Greti and Doris and her band of knitting friends!

This year we receive the most amazing support from so many people.  But one individual was out of control, Miriam Smith, of Conestoga-Rovers.  Every time I turned around, she had another amazing idea or connection.  She has been responsible for so much and always with a smile.  You rock!

The food was incredible.  We had a professional nutritionist in charge and everything was hot and delicious.  Thanks Louise and Bill Walthers!  And, if it hadn’t been for Paul Smith’s mega truck, we would have had to make several trips to the school with all of the food and loot.  Our kids, Paul David, Juliana, Angela and Ian were gofers and wrappers and help us tremendously!

This year, Angelina Tomasitti made a huge commitment to fund raise for the Christmas program.  Thanks to her and all of her donors we were able to provide for 10 girls and their babies!  She is also our supplier of dental products for the girls and babies.  Way to go Angelina!

Joyce Edberg and her Spirit of Christmas Elves adopted 11 babies this year.  She hosted a wrap party where we all got to check out the adorable baby gifts.  They were super generous as always.  Thanks Elves!

One very special young lady liked our program so much that she decided to take it on as a Senior project.  Katie Gray is a student at Acalanes High School.  She did all the fundraising and shopping for four girls and their babies!  And when she arrive to drop off her presents, I was blown away with not only the generosity but with how beautifully and lovingly everything was wrapped.  I vote for an A+ on that Senior Project!!

Anne Mercer and the staff at the Orchard Nursery & Lazy K Gift Shop in Lafayette adopted three girls and four babies. The staff each picked items off the shopping lists.  They were all so very generous and took such great care in picking just the right things for each girl.  Jan donated a fresh Christmas tree for the school.  So many of the girls did not have a Christmas tree at home so it was great to have one at the school!  After the party, one lucky girls got to take it home to her family!

Other amazing donations were provided by:

Michelle and her friends at SBC, on top of everything else, one girl got a desperately needed new stroller;

Gaby MacLeod, of Conestoga-Rovers, who filled in many of the last minute items, stocked our food pantry and played Mrs Santa the day of the party;

Bob Foss, of Conestoga-Rovers, for being a great Santa again this year;

Lelia and the rest of the Chevron team at Conestoga-Rovers for their generous donation;

Brenda Carter, of Conestoga-Rovers, who was so very generous and had tons of fun shopping for the girls (she is also our Baby Shoe Fairy);

The staff of Coca-Cola Enterprise in Oakland(Christine, Lori, Joe, Jay, Kristin, Casey and Jessica) for adopting 3 girls and their babies and for all of their continuous support for “the girls”;

Peggy Deely for providing for two girls and babies;

Gracie Hernandez who help finish the last minute shopping, donated lots of great things, fed us and wrapped until the wee hours;

Nenagh Peters who donated three turkeys, ran so many errands, wrapped endless gifts and worked her butt off at the party;

And last but not least, Bill Lavis of Sitzman, Morris and Lavis who has always been supportive and very, very generous.

The problem with a list like this is I am sure that I am missing someone…Please let me know…