Christmas Call-To-Love: Let’s Support our Local Families in Need
Hey, Mamas! Grab a cup of whatever warms your heart, pull up a comfy chair, and lean in because I’ve got something important to share. You and I both know that we’re not just fighters, leaders, or community builders; we’re all that and a bag of chips! Plus, we have a whole heap of love for our neighbors. This Christmas, we have a chance to truly showcase that love!
We’d like to have everything for the families by the 17th, so we can wrap and drop off the packages before Christmas. You can find the full list of needs here.
There are two families in our local community who could use our sparkle right now
First up, we have a single mama warrior fighting a battle with ovarian cancer and her special needs son, who’s a silly and spirited boy of 10. If you’ve ever curled your daughter’s hair while she was asleep or perfectly cut the crusts off a PB&J sandwich, you know a bit about what it might feel like to fight a battle as a single mother. and you can multiply that by a billion when you throw cancer into the mix. We want to wrap this family in Christmas love and remind them they’re never alone.
Let’s start with our 10-year-old champ: hoodies, drawstring, or slim fit pants and shoes (size 10/12 boys clothes and 7 men’s shoes) would light up his world. And what about hopping around at Jumptime or rolling at Rollerdome Skating Rink (or even an adventure at Boise Zoo or Defy)? Those passes would probably make him jump around like a cookie hopped up on sugar!
Now, for our mama-strong! She could use a timing belt for her wheels, a cozy winter jacket (small size), and paraben-free shampoo and conditioner (trust me, she’s worth it!). To keep her rolling, we’re thinking gas gift cards for those doctor’s appointments on road trips. Oh, and for her budding business, how about some Michael’s or Hobby Lobby gift cards so she can shower the world with her painted treasures?
And in the quieter moments, let’s whisper a prayer for her name to rise to the top of that affordable housing list and keep some grocery gift cards handy as she transitions to her new place.
Our Second Family in Need
Our second family is bravely facing the reality of a last Christmas with their dear dad, a Navy veteran at only 34, diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer. They have three little munchkins (ages 5, 4, and 2), who are fiercely loved by all, especially by their local grannies and grandpas, who’ve got the toys covered for these kiddos. What they really could use are gift cards for food (daddy’s on a strict diet), grocery stores, Target, or Amazon. But above all, they need the power of our prayers.
So, my freshly-baked, right-out-of-the-oven call to you is this: If you’d like to help ensure these families have a special Christmas, whether through shopping for items on this wish list or making a monetary donation (don’t worry, our team of Santa’s helpers will play shoppers for you!), please lend a hand. Heck, we even have a wrapping party if you’d like to lend those hands to some fancy bows and curly ribbons!
This is our 6th year standing alongside local families in their times of need. We’ve got a bin on my porch (and yes, the property is camera-covered, so don’t get any ideas, naughty list aspirants!) in Star for drop-offs. Feel free to sneak by day or night, or simply mail your package. Address details are on request.
So, let’s jump into this, mamas! Let’s sprinkle the magic of this season into the lives of our friends and neighbors. Because, remember, at the end of the day, beneath the hustle and bustle, we’re not just mamas; we’re a community.
If You’d Like to Donate Time: Wrapping
We’ll be wrapping gifts for the families on the 18th at my house. It’s going to be a special day filled with love and Christmas spirit. We encourage you to join in and bring the kids along for a dose of the festive holiday season.
I would also like to thank everyone for their generous donations and amazing community spirit.
- A special thanks to those who’ve donated and made it possible for us to already order a winter coat for the mom and Nike shoes for the boy.
- Again, thank you to everyone who has contributed so far, including Mariana Pryhuber, Suzie Fore, Karen Christian, and Laurie Holm. Every little bit truly helps, and we are so grateful for this community’s support!
- Thank you to Yvette Wilde, Beth Brown, and Alison Karlonas Dunbar for their kind contributions.
- For those who wish to make a monetary contribution, you can reach Venmo at @randiowsley (last 4 4585).
Wrapping help is also greatly welcomed after the 17th! Special thanks to Beth Brown, Liz Valliere Johnson, and Jeannine Ross for their offer to help.
To those still eager to help, we are indeed looking for brand-new items. You can contact me directly for drop-off details. Remember, every small act of kindness can make a big difference in someone’s life.
So, come on, mamas, let’s keep the spirit strong and bring some Christmas magic into the lives of our neighbors!