December December 2016
www.MoonValleyTattler.com
VOL 36 No. 12
Ever Thought About the POWER of a Pair of Shoes?
B Y N AT H A N C L I N E
Nathan has collected 173 pairs of shoes so far!
During the months of November and December, I collected over 100 pairs of gently worn and new shoes, in partnership with Soles4Souls, as part of my National Jr Honor Society service project for the 2016-2017 school year. My goal was to collect 50 pairs of shoes, but with the help of family, friends, neighbors and community members, I was able to double my collection goal. A special thank you to everyone that donated pairs of shoes. It was a humbling experience to see the generosity of a community coming together for a common purpose. Since 2006, Soles4Souls has collected and distributed over 26 million pairs of shoes to those in need in 127 countries around the world and all 50 states in the U.S. But EVERY SINGLE ONE of those pairs makes a difference in people’s lives. Every day adults are unable to work. Walking becomes unbearable. A new pair of shoes provides relief in many developing nations around the globe, in times of disaster, and helps bridge the economic gap in the United States and Canada. In many developing nations, walking is the primary mode of transportation. Every day millions are exposed to unsanitary conditions that lead to diseases. These diseases may lead to sickness, even death. They also keep children out of school leaving them without an education and continuing the cycle of poverty. With your help, we can provide a life-changing solution: a good pair of shoes. Because…everyone deserves a good pair of shoes!
SANTA CLAUS IS ALIVE AND WELL; LET'S BELIEVE
BY SUSAN MERCER HINRICHS, REPORTER Taking a quote from Macy’s Department stores, “Yes, Virginia, there really is a Santa Claus.” In this instance though, I’ll have to say, “Yes, Susan, there really is a Santa Claus.” I’m Susan. And I saw Santa Claus. I did. Really, I did. I know I wasn’t dreaming this. Even the proverbial pinch test verified my alertness that particular day. I’d already been awake for an hour or so and was driving to work on a very cold a.m. -- very cold for Arizona, that is -- we’re talking low 30’s at 5:30 in the morning -- just a few days away from that annual Christian ceremony called Christmas. Yes; I do believe in Santa Claus or a Being full of overwhelming love, kindness and magnanimity who somehow does keep the world in a bit of a balance. And I’m filled with a happy, joyful, spirit this time of year myself. Christmas and the holidays celebrated by those of different faiths annually around December, lift everyone’s spirits, making the season merry and bright.
I’m glad it does, because we humans need that uplifting after whatever trials and tribulations the year nearly passed has rained upon us. At any rate, I’m driving to work within the speed limits. You see, I know where the radar traps or speedmonitoring lawenforcement vehicles routinely are planted. Drive, drive, drive. It’s the usual morning dark, late-December push to get to work on time. I come to a stop at one of the traffic signals dotting the winding concourse leading to my workplace. It’s in a semirural part of the Valley, with hills and wildlife and the keepings of things that do go on in remote places. Anyway, I’ve stopped at a traffic signal. With the boredom coming from being planted at a ...Continued on page 3
Jaydie Lynn Foundation Spreads Cheer B Y C A M I K I N G , J AY D I E ' S M O M The Jaydie Lynn King Foundation, Team Jaydie, partners with Phoenix children's Hospital Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders to find donors and provide the holidays for families who seek. Great need and have a child in active treatment for cancer or a blood disorder. This year the Foundation was able to adopt 103 families!!! This is a HUGE celebration as this is not your typical program but one that allows the family to receive a Christmas along with brand new warm clothing, groceries, household items, and toys. Donors are so generous that beds are helped for those in need- it amazes me every year when the warehouse starts as just boxes with numbers on the floor. These boxes become a patients name and then a family that will be blessed this holiday season! My heart is filled with so much love and appreciation knowing that these families will have food to eat, warm clothing, blankets, new sheets and so much more! Maybe the first bike that they have always wanted! Some would never have with out the generous donors we find. Thank you for always helping provide HOPE for these families! Thank you for giving these parents the sense of happy and more HOPE as most feel at ...Continued on page 3