LOS ANGELES, California — November 23, 2002
Coordinators: Karen Cicero, Patti Rayner, Melissa Ward
The L.A. Thanksgiving service project was a glorious event in every way. Heartfelt received such abundance from God and His messengers, that we were able to provide overflowing baskets of food and gifts for more than 1500 hungry people (about 410 families).
Our loving volunteer force burst at the seams at 200+, and every hand and heart was kept joyously busy throughout the day. Along with the baskets and boxes of food each family received, we distributed donations of thousands of tortillas, rolls, cookies, coffee cakes, and canned goods.
The party for the children consisted of a petting zoo, ponies, moon bounce, face painting, clowns with balloon hats for everyone, and lunch. Volunteers were one with the families and the loving service went back and forth among them. At one point there was no separation but only loving hearts sharing.
That is the purpose of Heartfelt’s extension into the world. That at some point in the process of what we do — there remains only One. And that One is Love.
Here is a note from the Director of the family center where we served:
“Thank you for a wonderful gathering and celebration for our families. It felt perfect in every way–from the moon bounce to the ponies to the baby piglets–to the face painting, clowns, balloons and of course the amazing gift baskets. When I walked down from 3rd St. – joy and calm met me. It seemed flawless–which means all the good and careful pre-planning paid off. I hope you felt pleased also. Please give my thanks to Karen Cicero too. I hope you both have a wonderful Thanksgiving with a moment to feel grateful for all you did for our families.”
MIAMI, Florida — November 23, 2002
Coordinator: Teri Wunderman, Heartfelt Co-Rep
Our Miami Thanksgiving Heartfelt Project was filled with giggles, hugs, live music and a delicious, homemade feast! Joyful noises filled our hearts as we gathered on Thanksgiving Day at the Family Resource Center’s Crisis Shelter — a facility for children who have been removed from their homes due to abuse and neglect. We arrived with the best, most organized plans to calmly join hands, serenely center ourselves, and in a most holy way, acknowledging the sacredness of the moment. With a group of excited boys and girls barreling at us and more babies in the shelter than usual; instead of having a centering process, we were instantly blessed with calls from these bundles of light to reach out, pick them up and play. So we did – letting love lead us throughout the evening.
We found the blessings as our arms were filled with grateful, cuddly souls, and our hearts were overflowing with gratitude for the Light they shined on us. A most divine moment for me happened when I picked up a two-year old girl who had been crying inconsolably for “Mama” since before we arrived. Rubbing her back, I whispered in her ear, “Mama’s not here, but I am.” She quieted down, melted onto my shoulder, and stayed glued there for the better part of an hour. Then she ate dinner and joyfully played with me and her shelter family for the rest of the evening. Service is its own reward!
The shelter staff prepared a huge Thanksgiving feast with turkey, stuffing, pumpkin pie, and a few Miami touches — black beans and rice and collard greens. A most special moment was when a good-sized eleven year old young man, who has the clear intention to one day be defensive linebacker for the Dolphins, insisted on leading us in the blessing before dinner. In his best church voice, he proclaimed, “God is good. God is great. Thank you for what is on my plate! Amen.” Amen, little brother!
We played ball outside, made Indian headbands, soared on the swings, wiped noses, gave piggyback rides, filled juice cups, emptied juice from shoes (one little girl had the creative idea to see how red punch looks inside sneakers), fed babies, rocked babies, talked in our silliest baby voices, argued over which baby liked which volunteer more, and wondered when bedtime would come (not for the children, for the volunteers).
One Heartfelt volunteer serenaded us throughout the evening with his lovely guitar, culminating after dinner in a sing and dance-a-long for everyone amidst the cribs, teddy bears, and rocking chairs. We said our goodbyes with long, giggly hugs and heartfelt promises to be back for more – not just for the children, for us!
LONDON, England — November 23, 2002
Coordinators: Ginny Fraser and Stacey Medalyer – Heartfelt Co-Reps
We spent the day cleaning and decorating the home of an elderly learning-disabled lady called Veronica. She lives alone, has no family, and is very isolated socially. She had no personal possessions in her flat. We had a great day, worked hard and got so much accomplished. Two people have already expressed how they began the day in a negative frame of mind (due to problems at home, etc), but noticed how their attitude shifted through the day, and we all finished the day in great spirits, joyful and grateful. We felt blessed and honored to be part of making a difference to Veronica and by her eagerness to get back into her flat, we think she was excited and happy by what we had done! Here is a letter of the coordinator of the housing unit where she lives:
“Thank you so much for all your efforts to help Veronica on Saturday. Veronica was absolutely thrilled with what you had achieved. She really was quite animated about the difference you had all made and that she was really pleased to have the flat looking “so lovely” for Christmas. She was so smiley, so happy and so grateful for all your hard work. She said that it looks so different when you first walk in and that…it is so warm and bright and so much cleaner…! Veronica said that you were all very very friendly and that she felt totally comfortable leaving you in the flat on your own. She was very surprised that you had managed to get everything done in the day and leave everything really tidy and back in its position. This was a weight off her mind. She also told me proudly that you gave her a really big poinsettia plant for Christmas, which she thinks is gorgeous. Basically she was over the moon with everything you did and said that she was so grateful to you all for your hard work and for giving up your Saturday. I hope you all enjoyed the day and that you didn’t ache too much afterwards! Thank you again, it has made such a difference to Veronica. Best wishes,”
Alise Trendall
ITATIBA, Brazil — November 10, 2002
Coordinator: Carmen Vera — Heartfelt Co-Rep
For the second time in a year, the Heartfelt volunteers gave haircuts and nail cuts for the children at Creche Nosso Lar.
We also prepared a lunch for this community. Other groups of volunteers played and sang with the children while they waited their turn for haircuts. Everyone had a wonderful time.
We also collected food and toy donations to prepare Christmas presents.
ALAMOGORDO, New Mexico — November 21-22, 2002
Coordinators: Susan Shyne and Mary Ellen Agolia — Heartfelt Rep
CHINS, Children In Need of Services, was the focal point of our project this year. Jake Meyer is the Director. CHINS provides many services to the community of Alamogordo and the surrounding area. They work with families, as well as children. A Thanksgiving dinner was provided to 30 families in need of assistance in the area. Many of the families are CHINS clients. Additional food was given in the gift boxes delivered to each family to help them with meals after Thanksgiving. Several volunteers worked on the project. Susan Shyne headed the project, bought the food, collected boxes and worked with others to pack the boxes for delivery by staff of CHINS. The project was an uplifting experience for all who participated in it. The families who received the holiday food were happy and grateful.
