Thank you for saving Christmas
Every day we experience the harshness of the world around us and seldom are reminded of the miracles that feed the human spirit. As many of you know on Dec. 14 the facility that stored the holiday gifts the Larkin Center distributes to our clients was broken into and many of the gifts were stolen. The realization that something like this could have occurred was devastating.
How could anyone take away the spirit of Christmas from those who have often awakened on Christmas morning with nothing to open?
The news coverage we received from ABC News, The Courier and the Daily Herald spread the word of our despair. We were reminded just how supportive and loving the human spirit could be as numerous phone calls and email messages from many individuals and organizations started to flood in with one common message stated loud and clear: “How can I help?”
Many Individuals and businesses organized their own toy drives or made a monetary donation, while other struggling nonprofit organizations shared some of their own donations. Elementary and high school students created coin, toy or bedding drives and special Larkin staffers provided personal ways to raise additional funding — all sharing the same miracle, which was to make a difference in the lives of those who are less fortunate.
To all you special people, we thank you for the reminder that miracles do exist and are possible under extreme adversity and loss of human spirit.
Thank you for sharing our mission.
Claudia VanDelinder, clients, board of directors and staff
The Larkin Center
Elgin