My name is Sandra and I live in Marina, CA. As an educator, I have been lucky enough to be an active part of supplying our local needier students with backpacks filled with school supplies throughout the years I've worked in Salinas, CA, but this year, I really want to serve the homeless in the same way.

On Thanksgiving this year, I drove around with my husband, dropping off containers of turkey dinners with all the trimmings to anyone we could find who was homeless (living on the streets), and witnessed people living in squalor, while so many of us have a warm place to live and food to eat on a daily basis. They were sooooo grateful, and that got me thinking…

 

I have a vision for this Christmas - I want to get as many people involved who have a heart for those living on the streets to join in if possible. I have never done anything like this before outside of work, but I would love to create care packages containing a sleeping bag, backpack, thick socks, a beanie, warm gloves, a weather proof reusable poncho, a utility blanket for outdoor use, and hygiene products such as bar soap, toothpaste, and a toothbrush for each homeless person.

 

Sleeping outside is brutal, especially during the winter time. Without basic necessities like these, life is even more miserable. Although these items do not change the overall circumstances for these unfortunate and oftentimes abandoned individuals, they may make each person feel cared for during Christmas time. I am setting a goal of $1,250 to create as many care packages as possible, but if I receive more donations than the goal, I will be using 100% of all monies toward making more care packages to serve even more people. None of this money will be used for anything else...only for the homeless and their care packages for Christmas time this year. There are homeless people living on the streets and in homeless camps here in Marina and Salinas.  I will be closing this out on December 17th to have enough time to purchase, assemble, and deliver these care packages to individuals around town here in Marina and Salinas by Christmas.

Parting thoughts - any of us could be homeless at any time without a steady paycheck or the blessings we have. To be in a position where we actually CAN give...that is awesome in itself and something to be grateful for. If your gratitude moves you to give, thank you!