**Dear Friends,**

Christmas morning is a cherished tradition in our country and many others around the world, bringing back memories that warm our hearts. Like many of you, I have my own fond memories of Christmases past. But for some children in group homes, the holiday season doesn’t look quite the same. Instead of waking up with family, they’re often sharing the day with 8-9 other kids in similar circumstances—children who haven’t chosen these difficult situations.

For the past 13 Christmases, my wife and I have been dedicated to creating a new kind of Christmas memory for kids living in group homes. This tradition began in 2011 when I learned that four of my students, whom I taught in elementary school, had no family or home to visit on Christmas. Since then, we have made it our mission to ensure that kids in similar situations feel remembered and celebrated.

This Christmas morning, we will host 300 children for breakfast at our local Denny’s in Glendale, Arizona. We’ll be welcoming them in four seatings of about 70-80 kids each. Ages range from infants to 18-year-olds, and sadly, some have been with us for multiple Christmases. One story stands out: one Sunday, as I greeted a group from a local group home at church, one child introduced me to another by saying, “This is the ‘Christmas Dude’ I was telling you about.” I’ll happily carry that title for the rest of my life.

To make this Christmas as special as possible, we need your support. Please consider donating to our charity, *Gift of Memories, Inc.*, a 501(c)(3) organization. With your help, we can create joyful memories for these children to carry with them for years to come.

Warm regards,

David Levesque

*The Christmas Dude*