This is an announcement that may surprise some but shouldn’t. Our Charity Committee has received an offer of a gift of several thousand dollars. There is a stipulation the donor remains anonymous and that the money be used to help children only. We have been in contact with several hospitals. We recently visited the Children’s hospice here in San Jose. This hospice is a short walk from our office. Earl, Terry, Jose, Attilio , Carolina and I visited several weeks ago. What we saw would give even the most hardened individuals a tug at their heartstrings. Here was a structure that I believe only had eight rooms. Each room was designed for four children in each room. What touched you were seeing these children, some couldn’t walk being comforted by the nurses, and some by their parents. Nurses and Staff told us that they treated many children, who ranged in age from toddlers who couldn’t walk to children in their teens. Many that were here would need the touch of God to see their next birthday. Before we went to the hospice we heard from some of the nurses that what the children would like was a CD player so that they could hear music and stories. Needless to say with the help of Attilio we managed to obtain a top grade CD player. Caroline Reilly had a contact from which we obtained CD’s at a reasonable price. It is nice to know that the kids are now having some pleasurable moments thanks to a small effort on our part. As soon as we see the monies from our charity efforts come in we will be able to do much more for these children. Now you readers can help by contributing to our Charity Fund. Remember 100% of all monies raised go to those in need. Also we have decided to have a Christmas Present Drive to obtain gifts for these terminally ill children, as indicated in the following list. Gifts to our charities are tax deductible, Please give.
******* Just before publication we received word of the passing of Helen Marek, long-time Board member. She will be sorely missed by the ARCR and those who knew her.
El Residente
ARCR CHRISTMAS GIFT DRIVE FOR TERMINALLY ILL CHILDREN Apart from other items the hospice has requested for daily use, such as clothing or shoes of all sizes, the following list are the gifts hoped for by the 262 terminally ill children at the hospice. Please help us fill their Christmas Wishes. (List of names available at the office with Bob Miller) Animal shape pillows Cap & sport clothes Hanging musical toy Material for oil painting Musical toy Dancing or speaking doll Large remote control car Set of Lego’s Teenagers clothing Children’s clothing Cloth dolls Dolls of all sorts, Barbie’s, etc. Electronic handheld games Book of fairy tales Three-dimensional puzzles Radio walkmans Educational games Toy kitchen utensils Children’s lamps Cd’s for teens or children Bedclothes for babies Colorful bedclothes for kids Big teddy bear Hand Puppets Drums or musical toys Children’s (non-toxic) plasticine Sport shoes (40, trainers) Girls beauty sets Pajamas for children Bath sets Heredia Team memorabilia Funny decorative bedroom items Hanging musical toy/baby clothes CD/taperecorder with headphones Animal toys (teddy bears, cow, giraffes, etc.) Super hero toys (spiderman, batman)
Please help us fill their Christmas Wishes. 4