We know that the holidays are not all about toys. But for kids with few happy childhood memories, it can be especially thrilling to see a wish fulfilled. Some heroic adults will do whatever it takes to avoid disappointing a child at the holidays. Here are just a few examples from our dedicated donors:
Each year for the past several years, Sandra Castillo-Meza and her husband Ricardo Meza have donated more than $1,000 worth of toys from Hephzibah’s wish list. They are owners of On-Line Communications, a family business Ricardo started when he came to the U.S. Each year in November, Sandra contacts Marissa Grott, Hephzibah’s Donor Relations Manager, to get a wish list of specific items.
This year Sandra searched high and low for a Barbie Malibu House, only to find it on the Toys R Us website for in-store pick up only. Only 4 states offered the in-store option and Illinois was not one of them. Sandra saw Colorado had in-store pick up and called her big brother. “How far away is this Toys R Us from you?” she asked.
Her brother, Adrian Castillo, was happy to help. He bought the Barbie house in Colorado over the weekend and shipped it to Sandra on Monday.
“I’m so excited and relieved,” Sandra said. “I would have been heartbroken if we could not have given this little girl her gift.”
Long time donor, Debbie King, from David King and Associates in Oak Park, is known for her ability to procure hard-to-find items. Over the years she has searched high and low for special requests; this year she ordered a basketball shirt from Japan to fulfill one child’s wish!
Last season one toy was requested by five separate boys in the Group Home. This toy was so popular, it quickly sold out across the country. Donors who shopped early were able to get it, but several were not. A volunteer told some friends about the problem, and they decided to chip in, paying twice the retail price on Amazon to make sure that three of the boys were not left out of the gift-opening glee.
Sometimes our donors are so passionate in their support of Hephzibah, they spark generosity in others without realizing it. This happened last week to Jim VanVliet, a long-time Hephzibah supporter. He was driving a customer at O’Hare airport and began discussing weather. The man said Wednesday’s forecast was for snow.
Jim said, “I hope not, I have a special party to go to that night.”
Jim told the man about the Bring-A-Gift party Hephzibah hosts each year to provide toys for children and families in need. Before they parted ways, the man pressed two hundred-dollar bills in Jim’s hand and told him to share it with Hephzibah.
“I asked for a business card so we could send a thank you and he told me ‘no, it’s really not about that,’” Jim said.
Thank you to everyone who helped make 2016 a wonderful year for the children of Hephzibah. This generosity is the type that spreads from one person to another. For that, we are truly grateful. We couldn’t do it without your heart-felt commitment. Do you have a true tale of generosity you’d like to share? Email Gina Donlin with your story.
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