Author |
Message |
Native_texan
Member
08-24-2004
| Friday, December 23, 2005 - 7:52 pm
I'm looking for Twinkie, too. I got her name.
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Native_texan
Member
08-24-2004
| Friday, December 23, 2005 - 7:55 pm
Wendo thanks for the donation. I have no doubt there's a very appreciative soldier out there.
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Costacat
Member
07-15-2000
| Saturday, December 24, 2005 - 8:51 pm
I made at $25.00 donation to Bugles Across America (http://www.buglesacrossamerica.org/welcome.php) in Whoami's name. Happy holidays!!!!
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Costacat
Member
07-15-2000
| Saturday, December 24, 2005 - 8:51 pm
Native, I sent her a PM and she responded today. You may wanna ping her that way.
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Lancecrossfire
Animoderator
07-13-2000
| Monday, December 26, 2005 - 12:05 pm
Well, it’s after Christmas and it’s time to report on what I did. Kearie is the person I got. She wrote to me with the most original idea! I believe her request was a true suggestion of a random act of kindness. Here is what she requested: “I would like you to go to a store and buy a stuffed animal...(seasonal)... Then I'd like you to walk around until you find a child (a stranger) who is unhappy, looks poor, wants a toy and mom can't get it. I'd like you to offer the toy to the child...smile and say happy holidays when you find that child who can take it. I'd like to hear about it.” Well, I didn’t hold to the exact letter of the request, although I do believe I held to the meaning. As to why I didn’t hold to the exact letter: I first asked if I could get more than one animal as these days it seems there is usually at least 2 kids. She said yes. So, Lotta happened to be making a trip to Fred Meyer (those of us in the Pacific Northwest will know about this chain of stores). Lotta licked up two nice, soft and seasonal stuffed animals. I was talking to a work mate who has a part time job that puts him in direct contact to folks having a tough time. I asked him for any suggestions, and he had one right off the bat. A couple he know had just gotten two foster kids—a baby who’s mother was not bright enough to stop using crack while she was pregnant, and a 2 year old that was given up for adoption because her mother had just decide she didn’t want her any more. I was given the contact information, however in talking to the woman who was the foster provider; she said the kids would be having a very nice Christmas. So, I decide to move on so I could meet Kearie’s request. It just so happens this year we “adopted” a family for Christmas. Lotta had called a shelter to see if they had anyone who was in need. We adopted a woman and her three kids, ages five, three and one and a half. She was in Wenatchee, which is about two hours from here in Richland. She is in the middle of going through a divorce, and was also raped. The doorbell rang; she opened the door, and was raped. Lotta said that she indicated that she has a bad problem with doorbells now—so when people come to see her she is frightened to death, even if she knows they are coming. The mom works, but either works part time or has a low paying job, because she was not able to have any extra funds for gifts—she doesn’t even have the funds to a tank of gas to come to Richland when her sister has her baby—which should be any day now. We had previously gone shopping for the kids—the mom asked Joelle to not get her anything—she wanted to be sure the kids had a nice Christmas. Well, I thought to myself that these three kids met Kearie’s request. So I had Joelle get another animal when she was out on one of her shopping trips, and suggested she could give the animals to them when she took their toys to them Saturday. I didn’t go with Lotta and the girls to Wenatchee Saturday because of her resent experience. Lotta (and I) though that by me being there she would not feel at ease with a man in there living space. This is where Kearie’s request is not met to the letter. Lotta took my place in giving out the stuffed animals. As relayed by Lotta, she did indeed hand each child a stuffed animal and said merry Christmas. The 5 year old was appreciative, although didn’t have a lot of emotion with his response. He did say thank you. It seems for some reason he has become very detached and doesn’t show a lot of emotion to anything. He loved his other gifts too, yet showed little emotion. Lotta thought it was clear he did like his soft stuffed animal. The 3 year old girl though was a bit more animated according to Lotta. She hugged the animal and was quite happy to have a new soft stuffed friend that she carried around. The one and a half year old baby isn’t speaking English yet, but I think Lotta was convinced by a huge smile and the way the baby clung to it that thee was much appreciation for her new friend. The great thing about babies is that without words in is often easy to know what they are feeling. I appreciate the creativity of Kearie’s request. I also appreciate Lotta for helping out with making it happen. How fortuitous that we had already been paired up with a family who wasn’t going to be able to have a Christmas at all. Lotta’s girls had the opportunity to feel what giving is like. What it’s like to make other people feel better when they are in situations that suck. Oh, and we (Lotta picked it up) have the mom a $30 gas card so she could make the trip to Richland and back when her sister has her baby. Kearie, I hope it is ok with you concerning how this was carried out. (given that Lotta actually did it since we thought it best for the mom’s comfort). Thanks much for such a thoughtful idea Kearie.
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Ketchuplover
Member
08-30-2000
| Monday, December 26, 2005 - 12:51 pm
Bravo Lance 
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Costacat
Member
07-15-2000
| Monday, December 26, 2005 - 2:33 pm
Lance, I do think you carried out the *spirit* of Kearie's request! How cool, too!
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Pamy
Member
01-02-2002
| Monday, December 26, 2005 - 5:54 pm
Great story Lance!!! That is what Christmas is all about!
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Skootz
Member
07-23-2003
| Monday, December 26, 2005 - 6:36 pm
ditto to what Pamy said..wtg Lance & Lotta
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Kearie
Member
07-21-2005
| Monday, December 26, 2005 - 6:44 pm
Wonderful Lance. Thank you so much. Sounds like you and Lotta made a wonderful choice. Thank you for sharing the story with everyone. I also appreciate your sensitive side in understanding this woman would prefer a woman go visit her. Thank you for making this Christmas special. Aly.
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Mameblanche
Member
04-13-2005
| Monday, December 26, 2005 - 8:54 pm
Having a rough evening, with a sick mom, and your story really picked up my spirits and made me smile. Lance you are one in a million. Lottaluv certainly lived up to her name, eh? Kearie, that was a real, spirit of Christmas request. Others have said this and I must concur. Wonderful stuff. Simply wonderful.
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Mameblanche
Member
04-13-2005
| Thursday, December 29, 2005 - 8:47 am
I was so happy that the name I got in the gift exchange is my cyberpal Skootz. We discussed some options and came up with a donation to the Salvation Army. Well I have great news... the other day, while I was at the store getting my last minute party groceries, I noticed that they also had a rack of sweaters and jackets for kids, adults, and teens, on sale at approx. 10.00 each. So I bought 4 of them, (2 kids sweaters, 1 teen jacket, and 1 adult jacket), and I gave them to the Salvation Army Lady who was stationed in the mall, outside the store. She gave me her boss' business card, and promised they would be given to him later that day wheen he came on his shift. I told her they were a donation from a friend, not from me. I was only the go-between. LOL. Skootz tells me she's very pleased, so I am quite happy too. This was my first time doing this gift exchange, and it was a fabulous experience!
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Skootz
Member
07-23-2003
| Thursday, December 29, 2005 - 10:08 am
Thanks Mames for sharing your wonderful donation story with everyone..it is such a wonderful thing that you did. Thanks again

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Lancecrossfire
Animoderator
07-13-2000
| Thursday, December 29, 2005 - 10:20 am
Mame, great donation story! Heck, any of them shared are great to hear. I think you get to know someone a bit better when you donate to a cause that is important to that other person.
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Whoami
Member
08-03-2001
| Thursday, December 29, 2005 - 2:57 pm
I made a donation in Seamonkey's name (and her Angelina) to Second Chance Pet Adoptions, specifically for some eye surgeries that three very special kitties need (see bottom of linked page). Thank you also to Costacat for her donation to Bugles Across America. For those who don't know of this organization, its a non-profit organization that provides live buglers to play TAPS at military funerals. It was started by a friend of mine (Tom Day), who decided a tape recording of TAPS was not enough to honor our veterans. I totally agree!
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Seamonkey
Moderator
09-07-2000
| Thursday, December 29, 2005 - 5:27 pm
I thank Whoami so much!! Angelina came from that same rescue. I have nothing (yet) to report for my donation in Wappy's name. I want to find the right place or organization and am still researching. That's a wonderful organization, Who, that you had Costa give to..
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Lottaluv
Member
10-16-2004
| Sunday, January 01, 2006 - 1:01 am
CCgal, I dropped off your donation of $100 to POPP today. I'm sure it will be put to good use. 
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Vacanick
Member
07-12-2004
| Tuesday, January 03, 2006 - 6:14 pm
I want to let Lance know that as soon as my son comes home on Sunday we will be dropping off dog & cat food, toys and kitty litter to our local "no kill" SPCA shelter on behalf of you. I will try to get a picture of my son with our donation. BTW ... 2 of our now passed cats were rescued from this shelter to live a long, wonderful life with us. It holds a place dear in our heart! 
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Wapland
Member
08-01-2000
| Tuesday, January 03, 2006 - 7:45 pm
Bookie, I haven't forgotten you. I'm still working on it. Mine will have to be a NEW YEARS EXCHANGE. Fondly Wappy
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Costacat
Member
07-15-2000
| Wednesday, January 04, 2006 - 9:36 am
I wanted to pop in to thank Twinkie for her donation to the Helen Woodward Center. Located in our Rancho Santa Fe area, they do great work with all animals, especially those with cancer. Two of our "family members" have been treated there; one of whom is still surviving! They also took in quite a few of the animals who were stranded after Katrina (they took the animals who had been in shelters, so that there would be room for those who'd been left behind; this would allow the folks in NO to look locally for their "family members").
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Wapland
Member
08-01-2000
| Thursday, January 05, 2006 - 9:59 am
Well Bookworm, you have mail. Mission accomplished. Thanks once again for the opportunity to remember those things which are really important in life. Happy New Year my new friend. Fondly Wappy
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Citruscitygal
Member
08-07-2003
| Friday, January 06, 2006 - 4:05 am
Lottaluv~ Thank you for your very generous donation to POPP on my behalf. It sounds like a wonderful organization. They are lucky that you and Lance give so much of yourselves by opening your home to dogs waiting to be adopted. Thanks again to Lance for leaving pictures of your foster pups in my folder. Happy New Year!
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Lottaluv
Member
10-16-2004
| Monday, January 09, 2006 - 5:15 pm
And thanks to Ophiliasgrandma for making a donation to POPP as well!
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