Do you have enough sponsors? I would like to be one, but I'd have to check around to see if we have any program like that around here (I'm sure we do, but I'd just have to find out the details). If you do not have enough sponsors, please let me know.

Also, if you do need another sponsor, I don't want the $100 for myself for being a sponsor, I would want the entire amount to be donated for the families.I'll be a sponsor for nothing. It's an amazing idea. less

I am so excited to introduce you to a program that is very near and dear to my heart. I am in charge of a local program that I started with my parents. The Tremont/Southwest Secret Santa program will be providing gifts to 67 children this year. You can read all about it, and see why it is such a labor of love for me here. The people we like to help are the people that would never ask for help. These are people who, for one reason or another have found themselves facing hard times. I would love to tell you about a couple of the families on the list this year.

I have a couple who are only 21 and 22 years old. They both are hard workers. Recently one of their relatives was sent to jail. She had two little boys and a girl. The couple stepped up and took custody of the children so they would not be put into care of the state. Because the children were not in the custody of the state the couple receive no help for the children. They are making ends meet but just barely. As you can imagine Christmas would put a huge strain on them financially.

Another one is a couple who have a 1 year old boy. Because of problems in pregnancy the mom has been unable to work since the birth of the boy. 4 months ago the dad was at work when he had a heart attack. With both of them unexpectedly out of work bills got behind. They are now faced with a foreclosure on their home. Christmas will be very bleak for them this year without some help.

As you can see these are not lazy people who are looking for a handout. I am so excited that you are able to help make their holidays brighter. less

The Christmas Cheer Board is a local volunteer based charity that I’ve been familiar with for a long time. It was started in 1919, and provides hampers to low income families every Christmas. My own family has received a wonderful hampers from them and I owe them many thanks for the meals and gifts they have given us.

This year, my financial situation wasn’t any better but all I could think about was wanting to do something different. This year, I wanted to give my kids the gift of giving. Allow them the opportunity to see the joy in another families eyes, knowing that they helped cause it.

A few days ago, just after I sent off my email to Sam about signing up as a volunteer, I found out that I was a victim of fraud over the weekend. Someone that I was told I could trust deposited bad checks and withdrew cash out of my already overdrawn bank account. Leaving me with less than nothing, rent to pay, and no groceries.

The thing that I was most worried about? Thinking that I would no longer be able to work on this Hamper because I wouldn’t be able to use my bank account to withdraw the donation money. I realized that I couldn’t let this stop me, and thanks to the generosity of Edenfantasys and the Eden community, the gift of giving won’t be taken from us! This community serves as a constant reminder that there are good people in this world, and I’m proud to be a part of it.

I’ll be updating as soon as I get more information about the family! less

The Christmas Cheer Board is a local volunteer based charity that I’ve been familiar with for a long time. It was started in 1919, and provides hampers to low income families every Christmas. My own family has received a wonderful hampers from them and I owe them many thanks for the meals and gifts they have given us.

This year, my financial situation wasn’t any better but all I could think about was wanting to do something different. This year, I wanted to give my kids the gift of giving. Allow them the opportunity to see the joy in another families eyes, knowing that they helped cause it.

A few days ago, just after I sent off my email to Sam about signing up as a volunteer, I found out that I was a victim of fraud over the weekend. Someone that I was told I could trust deposited bad checks and withdrew cash out of my already overdrawn bank account. Leaving me with less than nothing, rent to pay, and no groceries.

The thing that I was most worried about? Thinking that I would no longer be able to work on this Hamper because I wouldn’t be able to use my bank account to withdraw the donation money. I realized that I couldn’t let this stop me, and thanks to the generosity of Edenfantasys and the Eden community, the gift of giving won’t be taken from us! This community serves as a constant reminder that there are good people in this world, and I’m proud to be a part of it.

I’ll be updating as soon as I get more information about the family! less