First of all I'd like to say thank you to the Charter Oak Community! The friends and Helpers Build-A-Backpack Charity event in July was once again a great success. The success was due, in part, to the generosity of the Charter Oak Family and I can't thank you enough.
We are all well aware that the holiday season is coming up soon. Unfortunately, for some this is not going to be the type of holiday season that one would like it to be. Fortunately for them the same amazing charity, friendsandhelpers.org does an Adopt-A-Family too!! This is a huge collective effort that gives Christmas presents and basic necessities to kids and their parents who are victims of an abusive situation. Many of these families left in the middle of the night with nothing but the clothes on their backs. This is a rare charity in that, 100% of every penny collected goes to the charity and the people in need.
If you want to be a part of it there's a few more options this year. In trying to make it so it's affordable and easy for everybody, we've changed things up a little. First of all, you can go to friendsandhelpers.org and actually adopt a single-family. The second option is to donate a $25 gift card or cards. Any card from Target, Vons, Stater Bros., Kohls, Walmart, or any of the big stores is perfect. Those allow the people in need to shop for food, soap, toothpaste, clothes and any of the basic necessities that they do not have right now. Another option is to donate an unwrapped kids toy. It's also as easy as going to freindsandhelpers.org or call (818) 757-1905 and donate $1 or $10 or $100, hatever you can afford. Please remember, every single penny goes to the charity and nothing is spent on overhead. Also this year we are excepting dry good, nonperishable food. So if you'd like to donate a bag of spaghetti and a jar of spaghetti sauce then we can take those things and put them together in a bag which will be a meal to feed a family.
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My son and I have adopted a family for the last four years. Trust me when I say, "it is very rewarding when you wake up Christmas morning and know that you've done something this special for another family in need!" Once again, every single solitary penny goes to those in need - EVERY PENNY!! The founders cover all of the overhead so each donation goes directly to those in need.
I will have a large cardboard box in the Maintenance and Operations office for you to drop off any of these items. Our shop is next door to the District Office. I am once again hosting the gift drop off site. This year it will be at our Sunflower Campus on the West side of the parking lot. It will be Friday, December 2nd. We will be there between the hours of 4pm to 8pm. Anybody who would like to volunteer is welcome. We are going to have some people in the cafeteria also, hand drawing greeting cards that we can pass on to each of the family members. You don't have to be an artist, you just have to be willing to give it a try. Just contact friendsandhelpers.org if you want to volunteer. Last year was our 3rd year hosting this event, and it continues to be a huge success! Why is that? It's because we have the greatest people with the biggest hearts here in the Charter Oak community!!!
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Even if you decide not to donate to friendandhelpers.org, I challenge you to find a way this holiday season to give to any charity you can. Donating a little bit of your time is also a great way to give back without it costing you any money. Trust me, it is very rewarding and a great way to stay humble!
Thank you for taking the time to read this. Have a great Christmas and Holiday Season. I truly appreciate all of you!!
From Jeffrey Rode
COUSD District Plumber
