Group Home Christmas 2016
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I am teacher in a Glendale Arizona school district. I have had several of my students who live in group homes. Several years ago I became aware that some of them did not get to spend Christmas with any of their families and spent Christmas day at the group home.
This project started with my wife, few teachers, and a couple from my Life group at church, who wished to help out. Last Chrstmas we shared Christmas with two boys group homes and two girls home, one of which was a "Girls in crisis home". We were able to have Christmas for 20 boys and 20 girls last Christmas. We are adding another girls group home and two boys group home this Christmas season for a total of 70 kids.
Between GoFundMe and some off line donations last year we were able to afford to buy each kid a personal gift, movie money in the form of a gift card that covered a movie, drink, and popcorn, plus an additional card for the workers to buys "extras" at the theater. Additionally we purchase items such as footballs, basketballs, soccer balls, writing and painting supplies. Plus, we take them out to breakfast at Denney's on Christmas morning. Breakfast is the big deal to the boys and girls. Last year, one girl, whom had hardly spoke at all during the meal, told my wife, Susan, "that this was the best Christmas ever." She then told her, "she had never been given a gift that was gift wrapped or had ever eaten in a resturant." Needless to say Susan was shedding some serious tears. This was not the first time we have heard such comments from the kids.
For several of the boys this is becoming their Christmas tradition, as I have seen several of them the last couple of years at Christmas and they tell the others what to expect. I overheard one of the boys who also one of my students at the school I teach at, introducing me to one of the new boys as the "Christmas Dude". That in itself would make it worth the effort. For some of these kids from my first group home I started with five years ago, this will be their fourth Christmas with me on Christmas day.
You generous donations make this effort available to more kids each year. Thank you so very much. #GoBeyondGiving
This project started with my wife, few teachers, and a couple from my Life group at church, who wished to help out. Last Chrstmas we shared Christmas with two boys group homes and two girls home, one of which was a "Girls in crisis home". We were able to have Christmas for 20 boys and 20 girls last Christmas. We are adding another girls group home and two boys group home this Christmas season for a total of 70 kids.
Between GoFundMe and some off line donations last year we were able to afford to buy each kid a personal gift, movie money in the form of a gift card that covered a movie, drink, and popcorn, plus an additional card for the workers to buys "extras" at the theater. Additionally we purchase items such as footballs, basketballs, soccer balls, writing and painting supplies. Plus, we take them out to breakfast at Denney's on Christmas morning. Breakfast is the big deal to the boys and girls. Last year, one girl, whom had hardly spoke at all during the meal, told my wife, Susan, "that this was the best Christmas ever." She then told her, "she had never been given a gift that was gift wrapped or had ever eaten in a resturant." Needless to say Susan was shedding some serious tears. This was not the first time we have heard such comments from the kids.
For several of the boys this is becoming their Christmas tradition, as I have seen several of them the last couple of years at Christmas and they tell the others what to expect. I overheard one of the boys who also one of my students at the school I teach at, introducing me to one of the new boys as the "Christmas Dude". That in itself would make it worth the effort. For some of these kids from my first group home I started with five years ago, this will be their fourth Christmas with me on Christmas day.
You generous donations make this effort available to more kids each year. Thank you so very much. #GoBeyondGiving
Organizer
David Levesque
Organizer
Glendale, AZ
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