For the best 12 years I have with either a service club or with my friends adopted a family through the Orange County Child Abuse Prevention Center.
The center is an amazing place and really works to break the cycle of abuse. The believe in preventative education and not just putting a band-aid over a bullet wound.
The families receive donated items all year, but this is the one time of year they get gifted with all new things. If this speaks to you, please leave a comment to help.
Here is the family we have adopted for this Christmas:
Tammy is a single mother living with her son, Dang( 1.5). The maternal grandmother comes over to take care of Dang everyday while Tammy works during the day. Tammy's work hours recently were cut back due to the economy. Tammy had a miscarriage prior to Dang due to domestic violence with the father. Tammy was also pressured to get an abortion by father when pregnant with Dang, but she choose to not do it.Tammy currently doesn't get any financial or emotional support from the father. Tammy is struggling financially because she owes debt that the father owed before and can barely pay her bills. At the end of the month after paying for all the bills and the father's debt she only has $50 of cash left. Tammy is currently trying to get child support through family court. Despite Tammy's situation, Dang is a happy child and is learning how to speak. The family would greatly appreciate the help this holiday season.
Tammy Allucia
Who they are: Mother
Age: 38
Greatest Need: Sweater (M), turtle necks (M), Jeans (3), slacks( 3), blouse (M), bath towels, Tide detergent, shoes . Grocery coupon or gift card for organic whole milk and fruits.
Greatest Wish: Makeup , Macy’s Gift card, Target Gift Card, Guess watch
Grandmother Allucia
Who they are: Grandmother
Age: 65
Greatest Need: mini cupcake pan, bake ware, Non stick pot and pan set, Oscal (vitamin for bone) sweater. (L), scarf’s, winter hats, sweater (L), walking shoes (7). Grocery coupon or gift card for organic whole milk and fruits. non stick pot and pan set, Oscal (vitamin for bone) sweater. (L), scarves, winter hats,
Greatest Wish: DVD player, MP3 player or portable radio, Ross gift card. Wal-Mart or target gift card. Ross gift card. Wal-Mart or target gift card.
Dang Allucia
Who they are: Son
Age: 1.5
Greatest Need: Diapers (size 5 or 6). Wipes, Shoes and socks (size 6 or 61/2), Toddler hat, Storage cabinet with door for clothing. Johnson and Johnson Lavender shampoo. Books. Clothes- (2T-3T) for shirts, pants, jackets, sweaters, turtle neck. Grocery coupon or gift card for organic whole milk and fruits.
Greatest Wish: ABC floor mat, Leap Frog toys, toddler bike & helmet Toddler Christmas outfit (2-3T). Interactive toys. Imaginary 5-way giant bead maze cube (for manipulative skills), Wall paper or sticker (with animal), Little Tikes adjust and draw table. Imaginary 5-way giant bead maze cube (for manipulative skills), Wall paper or sticker (with animals), Little Tikes adjust and draw table.
If you can donate or want to just help wrap, anything is appreciated. We also can use wrapping paper, gifts bags, tissue, tape and boxes.
Best,
Darcy
Monday, November 15, 2010
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
The Reason Why Not
I have been thinking about reasoning a lot lately. Reasoning and the reasons why, we as people don't do certain things.
Hell, it's been a while since I've posted here, and I can give you a bunch of reasons, but the reality is I just didn't post, regardless of the "reason" it didn't get done. I can either chose to write on a daily basis or not. More than not I can find a reason not to. It's one of those things I can dismiss, even though I love to write and I'm passionate about it, it doesn't mean I always want to do it.
Now on the other hand, there are plenty of good reasons not to do something. When we are young, we are told not to touch the hot stove because it will burn us. But for some people, too many things become the hot stove and they don't touch anything for fear of getting burned.
We all know people who have the best intentions but no follow through. Usually they have a list of reasons why they cannot. And for every reason you list for why they can, they find more reasons why not.
I was talking to someone recently who has very clear visions of the things they want in life. But when I asked why this person was not actively pursuing those things, I was met with a slew of reasons why not. And granted, all the reasons sound and feel very valid. But the long and the short of it is that this person is not living in the present and is not truly participating in their life.
The key to it is not to have intention, but to move with real action. Move in a way that is taking you towards the things you want, not taking you in a circle.
You need to ask yourself, is this activity that I am concerning myself with really getting me closer to what I truly want or is it just keeping me busy until I can find enough courage to do what I really want?
And yes courage is part of it. Courage is required to face that which you are not sure of. If you wanna play it safe all the time more than likely you're not going to get want you really want.
This past summer I decided to go back to school to finish my degree. I have been talking about it for a long time, but was not being truly active in it. I had a lot of reasons why not for a long time, but then I ran out of reasons. Thank God. But I'm lucky in that sense, because some people never run out of reasons why not. Now I'm in school and I feel more free because I'm participating in my life. I'm doing something I wanted for so long and love it.
So what are your reasons why not? Is fear at the heart of them all? Do you surround yourself with others who keep feeding your reasons why not?
Yes you may fail, but then you can come at it in a different way. Then again, it may all be a wild success. However, every reason why not will continue to keep you from ever finding out.
So participate in your life. Get the reasons why not out of the way. I know it's hard to do it all at once, but the sooner you move the little reasons why not out of the way the sooner you can get to the big ones.
Hell, it's been a while since I've posted here, and I can give you a bunch of reasons, but the reality is I just didn't post, regardless of the "reason" it didn't get done. I can either chose to write on a daily basis or not. More than not I can find a reason not to. It's one of those things I can dismiss, even though I love to write and I'm passionate about it, it doesn't mean I always want to do it.
Now on the other hand, there are plenty of good reasons not to do something. When we are young, we are told not to touch the hot stove because it will burn us. But for some people, too many things become the hot stove and they don't touch anything for fear of getting burned.
We all know people who have the best intentions but no follow through. Usually they have a list of reasons why they cannot. And for every reason you list for why they can, they find more reasons why not.
I was talking to someone recently who has very clear visions of the things they want in life. But when I asked why this person was not actively pursuing those things, I was met with a slew of reasons why not. And granted, all the reasons sound and feel very valid. But the long and the short of it is that this person is not living in the present and is not truly participating in their life.
The key to it is not to have intention, but to move with real action. Move in a way that is taking you towards the things you want, not taking you in a circle.
You need to ask yourself, is this activity that I am concerning myself with really getting me closer to what I truly want or is it just keeping me busy until I can find enough courage to do what I really want?
And yes courage is part of it. Courage is required to face that which you are not sure of. If you wanna play it safe all the time more than likely you're not going to get want you really want.
This past summer I decided to go back to school to finish my degree. I have been talking about it for a long time, but was not being truly active in it. I had a lot of reasons why not for a long time, but then I ran out of reasons. Thank God. But I'm lucky in that sense, because some people never run out of reasons why not. Now I'm in school and I feel more free because I'm participating in my life. I'm doing something I wanted for so long and love it.
So what are your reasons why not? Is fear at the heart of them all? Do you surround yourself with others who keep feeding your reasons why not?
Yes you may fail, but then you can come at it in a different way. Then again, it may all be a wild success. However, every reason why not will continue to keep you from ever finding out.
So participate in your life. Get the reasons why not out of the way. I know it's hard to do it all at once, but the sooner you move the little reasons why not out of the way the sooner you can get to the big ones.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
