Don protégé
Have you ever wanted to do more for the holidays than just write a check? I did, eight years ago, and said as much to my wife. What happened next was nothing short of amazing ...
... I told her I wanted to help people in a way other than just donating to a big faceless cause -- one where I had little knowledge of where the money went after I contributed.
She felt the same way. You need to realize, Sherry has the biggest heart of anyone I've ever met, and possesses drive that I'll admit can be exhausting at times. (When you look in a dictionary for the word dynamo, you see her picture!) So she did some research and found out this surprising fact: Most Head Start programs don't have any way to throw a holiday celebration, at a time of year when a warm meal and the help of others could be needed the most.
Long story short, we "adopted" a Head Start program to provide this event. From that very first year, Sherry organized a grassroots "party" that was way more than that. It provided more than a hot meal and some treats. It provided the parents with much needed staples through gift baskets that were given out, much-needed educational supplies and educational toys for the kids, and the opportunity to participate in fun activities put on by caring adults (the volunteers started with nothing more than a half-dozen family members and friends).
This year's event will do even more good for more 3- and 4-year olds, and their families, than in past years. But with this growth has come the need to find additional donors.
By supporting this event, you can be assured that your dollars are going to real people doing real good.
My wife, and her daughter Shannon, are educators; They understand the developmental needs of the children we serve every year, and it shows —- both in the activities we give the kids, and the toys that they take home from the event. Here’s an example:
Last year the event included 142 pre-school children and their families, through the Rock-Walworth Comprehensive Family Services Head Start Program. That year's event, like this one, is held in Beloit, Wisconsin, one of the most hard-hit cities in the Midwest from the devastating 2008 recession.
It happens just days from now, on Friday, December 18.
Won’t you consider contributing to this important cause? Here are some of the things your money will be providing these under-served children and their parents:
- A hot delicious meal. In recent past years it’s been mostaccioli, with or without meat sauce, plus corn, rolls and fresh fruit
- Each child gets a colorful bag, with the child’s name written across the front. It’s big enough to be used later as a school bag. It comes stuffed with goodies, including:
- A warm fleece scarf and warm knit mittens
- A fleece hat (here's a post showing the type of hat we make, along with my excellent tutu-making skills !)
- Educational activities, including a lace-up kit to help with manual dexterity (we started assembling them last weekend — see the photo to the right)
- Crayons, pencils and a 16-page coloring book
- Healthy snacks
- Educational toys (here's a post about the amazing building blocks our friend makes ... we buy the wood with donated money, and he volunteers his time to work his magic !)
A variety of play stations for the kids and their families, such as the following:
- An opportunity for the children to decorate their own holiday treat
- Face-painting station, run by my step-daughter and her assistant
- A child-sized bowling game (every child receives a prize!)
- Photo booth: Family pictures are taken and printed on the spot. The parents will go home with something for their refrigerator!
For the families: We give away food baskets overflowing with healthy staples to every family. Last year's baskets provided such staples as:
- Flour
- Canned goods of all sorts
- Rice
- Beans
- Pancake mix
- Household items, such as detergent and toilet paper
Here's why your contribution will go farther: I'll match your gift! For every dollar you donate, up to the first $1,500 of accumulated donations, I will match your money. Your $25 dollar gift will really be worth $50. Your $100 gift will really be worth $200.
I am blessed with a good job that pays well, and I can't think of a better way to give back for the holidays.
You may be wondering if this is real ... If I am real. One advantage I have is I am easily "googled." Look me up and you'll see my personal blog, www.JeffLarche.com , along with other social media accounts. On that blog you can get more details about past years, and read more about why this is such a worthy cause for your consideration. Please donate today.
Thank you!
... I told her I wanted to help people in a way other than just donating to a big faceless cause -- one where I had little knowledge of where the money went after I contributed.
She felt the same way. You need to realize, Sherry has the biggest heart of anyone I've ever met, and possesses drive that I'll admit can be exhausting at times. (When you look in a dictionary for the word dynamo, you see her picture!) So she did some research and found out this surprising fact: Most Head Start programs don't have any way to throw a holiday celebration, at a time of year when a warm meal and the help of others could be needed the most.
Long story short, we "adopted" a Head Start program to provide this event. From that very first year, Sherry organized a grassroots "party" that was way more than that. It provided more than a hot meal and some treats. It provided the parents with much needed staples through gift baskets that were given out, much-needed educational supplies and educational toys for the kids, and the opportunity to participate in fun activities put on by caring adults (the volunteers started with nothing more than a half-dozen family members and friends).
This year's event will do even more good for more 3- and 4-year olds, and their families, than in past years. But with this growth has come the need to find additional donors.
By supporting this event, you can be assured that your dollars are going to real people doing real good.
My wife, and her daughter Shannon, are educators; They understand the developmental needs of the children we serve every year, and it shows —- both in the activities we give the kids, and the toys that they take home from the event. Here’s an example:
Last year the event included 142 pre-school children and their families, through the Rock-Walworth Comprehensive Family Services Head Start Program. That year's event, like this one, is held in Beloit, Wisconsin, one of the most hard-hit cities in the Midwest from the devastating 2008 recession.
It happens just days from now, on Friday, December 18.
Won’t you consider contributing to this important cause? Here are some of the things your money will be providing these under-served children and their parents:
- A hot delicious meal. In recent past years it’s been mostaccioli, with or without meat sauce, plus corn, rolls and fresh fruit
- Each child gets a colorful bag, with the child’s name written across the front. It’s big enough to be used later as a school bag. It comes stuffed with goodies, including:
- A warm fleece scarf and warm knit mittens
- A fleece hat (here's a post showing the type of hat we make, along with my excellent tutu-making skills !)
- Educational activities, including a lace-up kit to help with manual dexterity (we started assembling them last weekend — see the photo to the right)
- Crayons, pencils and a 16-page coloring book
- Healthy snacks
- Educational toys (here's a post about the amazing building blocks our friend makes ... we buy the wood with donated money, and he volunteers his time to work his magic !)
A variety of play stations for the kids and their families, such as the following:
- An opportunity for the children to decorate their own holiday treat
- Face-painting station, run by my step-daughter and her assistant
- A child-sized bowling game (every child receives a prize!)
- Photo booth: Family pictures are taken and printed on the spot. The parents will go home with something for their refrigerator!
For the families: We give away food baskets overflowing with healthy staples to every family. Last year's baskets provided such staples as:
- Flour
- Canned goods of all sorts
- Rice
- Beans
- Pancake mix
- Household items, such as detergent and toilet paper
Here's why your contribution will go farther: I'll match your gift! For every dollar you donate, up to the first $1,500 of accumulated donations, I will match your money. Your $25 dollar gift will really be worth $50. Your $100 gift will really be worth $200.
I am blessed with a good job that pays well, and I can't think of a better way to give back for the holidays.
You may be wondering if this is real ... If I am real. One advantage I have is I am easily "googled." Look me up and you'll see my personal blog, www.JeffLarche.com , along with other social media accounts. On that blog you can get more details about past years, and read more about why this is such a worthy cause for your consideration. Please donate today.
Thank you!
Organisateur
Jeff Larche
Organisateur
Chicago, IL