NovatoSpirit's Children Give Thanks

Sometimes the most important time for children to dance isn’t when they’re happy, but when they’re strained by sadness.

Sadness consumed many last month in the North Bay, where families lost their homes in fires that destroyed 8,900 structures and forced 100,000 people to evacuate, according to Sonoma County officials. Folks living in towns on the periphery of these fires—such as Novato—were on high alert, fearing the spread of the flames.

Several Novato residents, including me, had family members whose homes and livestock burned to the ground. And some lost loved ones forever.

Among those affected by loss and grief were NovatoSpirit’s children, who struggled to continue activities crucial to their resilience, such as attending school and exercising.

And yet, as ashes fell from the sky here, they danced.

These children showed their true spirit by focusing their minds and bodies in a positive way, and continued their activities despite adversity. During these times, it was heartwarming to see them smile.

These smiles were a miracle, and they happened because of you. Your generosity helps our children move through misfortune.

“Dance has been an amazing experience for me,” said one of our NovatoSpirit teens. “It doesn’t feel like I’m learning, it feels like I’m having fun. As I grow up, I realize that dance gets more difficult with technique, but I love it, because if it doesn’t challenge me, then it won’t change me.”

One of our taekwondo teens said, “I’m happy to tell you and anyone who asks how much I’ve grown through this class. I’m much more social with everyone and I’ve learned so much, starting with the ways to make peace and not violence.”

Her sister added, “My doctor also loves taekwondo for me, because with all the exercise I’m doing, my heart problems are going away.”

One of our newest students said that karate has helped her become less fearful. “I can defend myself in my nightmares and I feel more confident to sleep in my bed,” she said.

And one of our longtime karate students wrote, “My spirit has gotten stronger and now I’m not afraid to do things I was afraid of doing before. Next is my body. I have strengthened my muscles and I can do a lot more sporty things. Finally is my mind. I have gotten smarter is a lot of ways, like I can focus better and be more patient. You have helped me a lot by paying for this.”

NovatoSpirit’s children continue to be moved by your kindness, and by recent gifts from these outstanding individuals and charitable organizations: Peter & Ginnie Haas; Melanie & Peter Maier; the Kenneth A. Berg Living Trust; Unity in Marin; Ghirardo CPA; Ito’s White Tiger Karate School; and Wells Fargo Foundation.

In addition, Novato dentists McKell Perry & Eric Tyler have established a “Gold for Kids” program, which invites dental patients to donate the value of their crowns to NovatoSpirit.

We’re also grateful to staff at the City of Novato, who praised NovatoSpirit publicly through their “Novato Proud” campaign and celebrated us on “International Youth Day,” when children and their mentors are celebrated around the world for reducing conflict and promoting peace.

The City of Novato has enhanced its outreach to a multilingual audience. And for the first time, the Novato Police Department is hosting a Community Police Academy for Spanish speakers, and they’ve graciously allowed me to attend.

Unexpectedly, I’ve been honored recently with three nominations that I hope will benefit the NovatoSpirit kids:

• The Marin Women’s Hall of Fame
• The “Nonprofit Excellence Award” celebrated annually at the Heart of Marin Awards, presented by the Center for Volunteer and Nonprofit Leadership of Marin
• A leadership award from the North Bay Leadership Council

Several outstanding Marin leaders spent their precious time to nominate me and I’d like to thank them here: Jeff Hardy, founder and executive director of Care for Peace; Susan Santiago, a radio show host for KWMR; Assistant Novato City Manager Peggy Flynn; NovatoSpirit Board Member Suzanne Daggert, CPA; Jodi Weitz, acupuncturist; Tracey Hessel, lead pediatrician at Marin Community Clinics; and Ronda Gotti, CPA and a black belt instructor at Ito’s White Tiger Karate School.

NovatoSpirit has received an additional blessing from a group of health practitioners in Novato at The Body Song, who have offered to host a fundraiser to benefit our kids. Please come enjoy their Holistic Health Fair Sunday, December 3rd from 2-5:30 pm at 100 Professional Center Drive, Suite 112 in Novato. The practitioners will present free health seminars, and there will be a raffle drawing with fabulous prizes. Light appetizers, wine, beer and healthy drinks will also be served.

As the year draws to a close, please consider making a tax-deductible gift to NovatoSpirit to enable us to continue serving Novato’s children in need. Your gift has a direct, tangible and meaningful impact on their mental and physical lives—one that will last a lifetime.

NovatoSpirit is a 501c3 public charity aiming to improve the physical and mental health of Novato’s children in need through sports activities and dance. To donate, please send a check to: NovatoSpirit, 936 7th Street, Suite B, PMB 236, Novato, CA 94945.

My fellow Board Members Suzanne Daggert, CPA and Alison Moore, RN join me in wishing you a joyous and healthy Thanksgiving.