Therapists Recount Stories of Thanks From Families who Received Toy Drive Donations
Whenever you dig deep and give big, our therapists hear about it. Clients often express thanks and celebrate the positive impact your generosity has on their lives. Here are some of the stories we heard after the 2017 Toy Drive.
Emily Rosengren and her father Ken played Santa with an early morning delivery of over $3,000 in toys and gift cards from BNI Clark County.
“Mom, why do other boys and girls get warm things and I can’t? Is God punishing me for being bad sometimes?”
Thank you from a single mother of two little boys who works two jobs, yet continues to struggle financially. She is a strong and determined woman and says that the love she has for her boys helps her get through hard times.
Her 7-year-old asked “Mom, why do other boys and girls get warm things and I can’t? Is God punishing me for being bad sometimes?” She said it breaks her heart to hear her children say they are cold, knowing she can’t provide them a coat or shoes without holes.
This year, the boys got brand new coats, boots, gloves, and scarves — plus a couple toys each, and mom got a gift card for groceries. When she received the gifts she was in disbelief at how the Children’s Center donors could be so loving and caring. She said, “Thank you” about 100 times, joking that each time was for an individual who helped make this year special for her boys.
“I never thought I would be able to help put a smile on my girls’ faces after they lost their dad — now they have something to smile about.”
Thank you from a recently widowed mother who didn’t know what she was going to do for their first Christmas without the kids’ father. He had dreamed of teaching the girls to ride bikes — but that day never came. The little money that was saved for bikes went towards funeral costs.
The mother cried when she learned her children would receive bikes and other gifts from Children Center donors. She couldn’t believe it and asked, “Is this real? Are these really for my girls? I never thought I would be able to help put a smile on my girls’ faces after they lost their dad — now they have something to smile about.”
“We are not a family that can want things, we just need things. This year we needed a home, and we got that.”
A giant thank you from a single mother of two sons and two daughters. Recently, this mother was able to secure a one bedroom apartment, which she told her children was their Christmas present. The children understood. In fact, all they had asked Santa for was a home.
When asked what was on her wishlist, the mother said, “Nothing. We are not a family that can want things, we just need things. This year we needed a home, and we got that.”
But toy drive donors went above and beyond and ensured the kids all received gifts that put smiles on their faces. Plus, mom received some self-care items and gift cards to help put some food in their cupboards.
“Dear Santa, I know I asked for things, but I think you should send it to another kid because mom is giving us rent and heat this year.”
A big warm thank you from a single mother of three children, one with special needs. The mother told the children having a home with heat and electricity was their gift this year. The children understood but were very sad. One of them wrote to Santa, “I know I asked for things but I think you should send it to another kid, because mom is giving us rent and heat this year.”
After she experienced about the generosity of our community, she was able to tell the children that Santa sent mom an email saying he would be bringing toys. Needless to say, it was their best Christmas ever.
We echo these thanks to you — our generous donors and volunteers — for making these moments happen!