KID'S BEST CHRISTMAS EVER!!!!!
Donation protected
UPDATE:
The contributions we have received are so inspiring!!!! We have surpassed our goal!!!!!! We still have time before Christmas eve (when I give the presents to Jose's mom), so I am increasing the goal to $1600. Crazy I know. This will ensure that we get presents for Jose, Jose's brother (12 years old), Jose's sister (15 years old) and give money to Jose's mom.
Let's do this!!!!!
CONTEXT:
I volunteered at an event put on by the Hope Leadership Foundation, which is an awesome org in San Diego that does outreach in low income neighborhoods, primarily targeted towards kids from broken homes. The purpose of the event is to give a toy and a meal to kids that come from low income families. For those of you that know me, you know I don't sit on the sidelines and spectate. I have the heart of a little kid and a heart for little kids!!! I LOVE spending time w/ them and playing w/ them and encouraging them. The event was AWESOME!!! They had go karts and bounce houses and face painting!!!! They gave away 20 bikes. The kids LOVED it!!!! I LOVED IT!!!!!
WHO I WANT TO HELP:
At the event I met a little 10 year old boy named Jose. We had a simple 2 minute conversation, but his responses were touching to the point that I knew I had to do something for him to make Christmas 2015 his BEST CHRISTMAS EVER!!!!! I asked if he likes his school and he said it is his "number 1 school". He made a comment that he recently had to switch schools and it sounded like this was a common occurrence, but regardless he really liked his new school. I asked if he is having fun today at the event, and he said it is the "best day of his life". I asked if he lives in the area and he said that he just moved into a hotel. He didn't say it w/ shame. He said it very mater-of-factly. While he was talking you could see that it didn't phase him (or didn't appear to phase him) at all. He had this beautiful joy radiating from him the WHOLE time. That joy never lessened even while he was talking about living in a hotel. I looked at the pain in his mom's eyes and I knew that the present he received at the event that day was likely the only present he would receive for Christmas.
JOSE'S CHRISTMAS WISH:
The boy has expensive taste. I can respect that about him. ;-) obviously an easier goal is to say either a Hoverboard or an Xbox, but I am stepping out in faith to raise money not just for the Hoverboard and the Xbox but also money for Jose's mom too. I want to see something AMAZING happen.
Hoverboard - $500
Xbox - $300
Money for Jose's mom - $300
Total: $1100
WHY I WANT TO HELP:
In short b/c I believe LOVE is a verb, love is doing. I want to love people and do things to make people happy. Also b/c I believe that to whom much is given, much is required. I helped clean up after the event where I met Jose and my beautiful wife (I am so lucky to have found love) and kids (I am so fortunate to have 2 amazing kids) went back to our beautiful house (I am so blessed to own a home in Southern CA), w/ our beautiful Christmas tree, and our fun decorations. I keep thinking of that little boy - Jose, in his hotel room. We have been given so much. We all have. I want to use what we have been given to help other people. To be clear we are in no way monetarily "rich", which is why we need your help. We are however rich in love. The love that we have abundantly received we want to give back to others. I also want to stop being so selfish and just thinking about myself. This isn't going to be a gift from me. This will be something that Jose's mom can give him.
WHY NOT JUST PAY THE MONEY MYSELF:
Mark Zuckerberg said it best, if we are more vocal about acts of kindness and generosity other people will be inspired to act generously as well. This world needs more stories of people LOVING each other. Hopefully this will be one of them. Hopefully this will help inspire other to give generously as well.
WHY AN XBOX AND HOVERBOARD WHEN HIS FAMILY IS LIVING IN A HOTEL:
Yes, his family has serious needs. I get that and I can hear voices asking that question. If we exceed our goal any extra money will go to them. Let's make it happen. When I asked Jose what he wanted for Christmas he didn't hesitate. He knew EXACTLY what he wanted. I want to reward him for daring to dream, and not only dream, but he dreamed big. This world needs more people that are NOT AFRAID TO DREAM!!!!!! He knows what he wants, and if you want something you have to ask for it. Jose did just that. I want to blow him away and make Christmas 2015 something that he will never forget!!!!!!
The contributions we have received are so inspiring!!!! We have surpassed our goal!!!!!! We still have time before Christmas eve (when I give the presents to Jose's mom), so I am increasing the goal to $1600. Crazy I know. This will ensure that we get presents for Jose, Jose's brother (12 years old), Jose's sister (15 years old) and give money to Jose's mom.
Let's do this!!!!!
CONTEXT:
I volunteered at an event put on by the Hope Leadership Foundation, which is an awesome org in San Diego that does outreach in low income neighborhoods, primarily targeted towards kids from broken homes. The purpose of the event is to give a toy and a meal to kids that come from low income families. For those of you that know me, you know I don't sit on the sidelines and spectate. I have the heart of a little kid and a heart for little kids!!! I LOVE spending time w/ them and playing w/ them and encouraging them. The event was AWESOME!!! They had go karts and bounce houses and face painting!!!! They gave away 20 bikes. The kids LOVED it!!!! I LOVED IT!!!!!
WHO I WANT TO HELP:
At the event I met a little 10 year old boy named Jose. We had a simple 2 minute conversation, but his responses were touching to the point that I knew I had to do something for him to make Christmas 2015 his BEST CHRISTMAS EVER!!!!! I asked if he likes his school and he said it is his "number 1 school". He made a comment that he recently had to switch schools and it sounded like this was a common occurrence, but regardless he really liked his new school. I asked if he is having fun today at the event, and he said it is the "best day of his life". I asked if he lives in the area and he said that he just moved into a hotel. He didn't say it w/ shame. He said it very mater-of-factly. While he was talking you could see that it didn't phase him (or didn't appear to phase him) at all. He had this beautiful joy radiating from him the WHOLE time. That joy never lessened even while he was talking about living in a hotel. I looked at the pain in his mom's eyes and I knew that the present he received at the event that day was likely the only present he would receive for Christmas.
JOSE'S CHRISTMAS WISH:
The boy has expensive taste. I can respect that about him. ;-) obviously an easier goal is to say either a Hoverboard or an Xbox, but I am stepping out in faith to raise money not just for the Hoverboard and the Xbox but also money for Jose's mom too. I want to see something AMAZING happen.
Hoverboard - $500
Xbox - $300
Money for Jose's mom - $300
Total: $1100
WHY I WANT TO HELP:
In short b/c I believe LOVE is a verb, love is doing. I want to love people and do things to make people happy. Also b/c I believe that to whom much is given, much is required. I helped clean up after the event where I met Jose and my beautiful wife (I am so lucky to have found love) and kids (I am so fortunate to have 2 amazing kids) went back to our beautiful house (I am so blessed to own a home in Southern CA), w/ our beautiful Christmas tree, and our fun decorations. I keep thinking of that little boy - Jose, in his hotel room. We have been given so much. We all have. I want to use what we have been given to help other people. To be clear we are in no way monetarily "rich", which is why we need your help. We are however rich in love. The love that we have abundantly received we want to give back to others. I also want to stop being so selfish and just thinking about myself. This isn't going to be a gift from me. This will be something that Jose's mom can give him.
WHY NOT JUST PAY THE MONEY MYSELF:
Mark Zuckerberg said it best, if we are more vocal about acts of kindness and generosity other people will be inspired to act generously as well. This world needs more stories of people LOVING each other. Hopefully this will be one of them. Hopefully this will help inspire other to give generously as well.
WHY AN XBOX AND HOVERBOARD WHEN HIS FAMILY IS LIVING IN A HOTEL:
Yes, his family has serious needs. I get that and I can hear voices asking that question. If we exceed our goal any extra money will go to them. Let's make it happen. When I asked Jose what he wanted for Christmas he didn't hesitate. He knew EXACTLY what he wanted. I want to reward him for daring to dream, and not only dream, but he dreamed big. This world needs more people that are NOT AFRAID TO DREAM!!!!!! He knows what he wants, and if you want something you have to ask for it. Jose did just that. I want to blow him away and make Christmas 2015 something that he will never forget!!!!!!
Organizer and beneficiary
Ryan Kam O'Connor
Organizer
Carlsbad, CA
Melissa Strauss O'Connor
Beneficiary
