Well, it's that time again. Christmas is right around the corner and we are starting Operation Green Santa again this year.
For those newbies on the board, I will explain what Operation Green Santa is.
We know that families with Lyme have a difficult time trying to meet all their medical expenses, work, and take care of their sick ones.
Christmas is the time for giving, helping, sharing, caring and opening up our hearts and our wallets to others in need.
For the last few years we have helped our LymeNet families that were strapped financially with Christmas for their children. This will be our 7th year of assisting LymeNet families so they can enjoy the holidays and have presents under the tree for their kids. The past two years we have been able to help some adults as well.
We have had FANTASTIC turnouts over the last few years! The spirit of Christmas was certainly in the air on Lymenet. We had many, many secret Santas behind the scenes shopping and shipping those special items to the families in need of some extra help.
Here is how this program works - For those who have fallen on hard times because of this disease, and who are part of the LymeNet family, please don't feel bashful or awkward asking for our help. That's why we developed this project. We are here to help each other!
FAMILIES NEEDING HELP
For families in need, here is the information I need from you when you e-mail me. First, in the subject header let me know it has something to do with Operation Green Santa; otherwise, I may not open the mail. Please include your LymeNet screen name. My e-mail address is: [email protected].
The information you give me is confidential and will only be shared with the Santa that is helping to shop for your child/children/teen. I know it is scary giving this information out to me, but, so far we have not had any problems and I will do my best to ensure we don't have any problems in the future.
1. I need the parents' first and last name and shipping address.
2. I need the child/children's/teenagers first name, age, male or female, favorite color, hobbies, interests, and clothes sizes (ex. Sm. Med. Lg. XL or sz. 8/10/12/14 depending on top/shirt/pant size). The more information you give me regarding your child, the better we can shop. If your child has a special request of a particular item, we will try to fill it.
3. We will NOT wrap the gifts, so, parents can look the items over and make sure they are appropriate for their child/children/teen. Parents will be responsible for wrapping the gifts. The packages will come in the parents' name to the shipping address they provided to me.
4. If I should e-mail you needing more information, please get back to me as soon as possible, as our Santas usually can't wait to get started shopping. We had a lot of shop-a-holics last year!!! (GRIN)
5. The only thing we ask from you is PLEASE send a thank-you card to the Santas that shop for your child. The return address will be on the packages you receive. A small note of thanks to our Secret Santas gives them that warm and fuzzy feeling, and helps to keep this volunteer project running.
6. You don't ever need to tell your children that you didn't buy the gifts. They will never know unless you chose to tell them.
7. THE CUT OFF DATE FOR REQUESTING OUR HELP IS DECEMBER 7th. That way we have time to complete all needs and have time to ship before the holidays.
TO THE SECRECT SANTAS
Those of you that helped last year or prior years, I thank you again for all of your assistance and help. You guys made this project the success it has become!!!
Okay, here is what I need from the Secret Santas -
Each year we give each child one large to medium size gift as well as a shoe- box filled with goodies (like stocking stuffers). Remember to put something in the subject heading, so I know it has to do with Operation Green Santa/Christmas. Please include your email address and screen name so we have two different ways to contact you.
IDEAS FOR THE SHOE BOX (stocking stuffers) - dependent upon age of child/teen of course. Hair accessories, jewelry, Barbie dolls, trucks/cars/ candy, gum, hair brushes, make-up, small books, watches, nail polish, bath n-body sample bottles, stickers, small bottles of cologne, trading cards, CD's, gift certificates etc. I think you get the idea. Put as many things as you can in your shoe- box. Make sure the items are appropriate for the age of the child/teenager.
MEDIUM TO LARGE GIFT - This gift should be between $15.00 - $25.00 item. Ideas may be given by parent as well as size, hobbies, interests etc. This item could be clothing, CD, stuffed animal, books, gift certificates, etc. Over the years, we have been able to give several medium to large items to the kids because of the overwhelming response of our generous Santas. Hopefully this year we will be able to do the same.
Secret Santas you can go ahead and e-mail me. Let me know if you prefer to fill a shoe- box or buy a larger item. REMEMBER - Don't wrap your gifts. Make sure to put your return address on the boxes.
When I have a parent with a child/teen request, I will contact you and give you a child/teen to buy for. After you shop and have sent the package, ***** Please let me know it was shipped, so I can mark the child/teen off my list and know they have been taken care of. Ho Ho Ho and Merry Christmas!! Remember, we are spreading Holiday Cheer!!
From the Green Santa
Posted by merrygirl (Member # 12041) on :
Thank you to everyone who helps with this project!!
Happy holidays!!
Posted by lymeinhell (Member # 4622) on :
Thanks for once again stepping up to the plate.
Your help makes Christmas a happy day for many families. Posted by GraceT (Member # 16558) on :
Hi - We have played Secret Santa and found it to be very rewarding in all the states we have lived.
May the Almond leaf blow your way as a blessing.
My Best to You, ~Grace~
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Count me in!!
Posted by feelfit (Member # 12770) on :
count me in. I can only do a money donation,unable to shop.
Let me know how to do this.
feelfit
Posted by Julie2763 (Member # 2841) on :
pm coming your way.......
Ho HO HO
Posted by Andie333 (Member # 7370) on :
I came on here tonight in hopes of finding this happening again. Count me in!!!
And thanks so much for coordinating it again.
Andie
Posted by Julie2763 (Member # 2841) on :
Thank you Andie. You are on the list as a Green Santa!!
I will be matching children with Santas very, very soon.
Ho Ho HO Julie
Posted by sometimesdilly (Member # 9982) on :
Julie- we're flat broke and can't help this year-- sorry.
Posted by map1131 (Member # 2022) on :
Julie, I'd like to help again this year.
Pam
Posted by Julie2763 (Member # 2841) on :
sometimesdilly - that's ok, it's a tough economy right now. Hope things get better for you.
map1131 - thank you! pm coming your way.
To everyone who offered to help - I will be matching up some families with Santa's this weekend.
Ho Ho HO
Julie
Posted by randibear (Member # 11290) on :
julie, can't remember if i told you to include me, i think i did.
you know i can afford a gift card for the parents and maybe that way they could enjoy getting the things the kids want themselves.
if you have anybody who would want to do that, i could go to wally world and get gift cards.
i know the families would enjoy shopping themselves.
Posted by JKM03 (Member # 17788) on :
I'd like to help out, if I can. Preferably a female child... (Mother of 4 girls Posted by Julie2763 (Member # 2841) on :
randibear - you are on my list and I will be contacting you shortly.
JKM03 - pm coming your way.
Julie
Posted by carly (Member # 14810) on :
Julie,
I'd like to help too. I look forward to hearing from you.
Carly
Posted by carly (Member # 14810) on :
Julie,
I'd like to help too. I look forward to hearing from you.
Carly
Posted by Kreynolds (Member # 15117) on :
To Lymenet....
You guys are great!! It's nice to see people helping eachother out.... What a great way to spread the holiday cheer! This is what Christmas is REALLY about! Happy Holidays to everyone!
Posted by djf2005 (Member # 11449) on :
im in again
please send me the info of who/where/when/what
cheers
derek
Posted by Julie2763 (Member # 2841) on :
More pm's going out!!
Wow, thanks to all the people offering to help.
Ho Ho Ho
Julie
Posted by stymielymie (Member # 10044) on :
julie 7 adults done send me two children please. docdave
Posted by lymemomtooo (Member # 5396) on :
Julie, I have contacted the family and will be shopping soon...Please continue to keep these families in our prayers. Thanks..lymemomtooo
Posted by Julie2763 (Member # 2841) on :
Thanks for letting me know Lymemomtooo. Have fun shopping.
Ho Ho Ho
Posted by troutscout (Member # 3121) on :
Gimme the family with biggest need and the biggest family.
Please.
I have been unable to afford to buy gifts for my own girls the past 7 years.....and now I can afford gifts for more than just my family.
Ready.....set....Ho, Ho, Ho!!!!!
Trout Posted by troutscout (Member # 3121) on :
Gimme at least 5 families.......I got givers coming left and right....GURL I LOVE GIVING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ho, Ho, Ho
Trout's got the time...you got the list?
Posted by feelfit (Member # 12770) on :
This is just way too cool! thanks for coordinating this Julie.
And thank you Trout for your exuberance and giving heart!
Received my 4 kids and will be blessed to help.
Feelfit
Posted by Julie2763 (Member # 2841) on :
StJohn - pm coming your way. Thanks again to all who make this possible. As always, we are helping many, many families this year.
It's fun to spread Christmas Cheer!!
Julie
Posted by GraceT (Member # 16558) on :
Got my shopping list all done. Will be mailing it this coming week. Thanks for your work in coordinating this effort. Grace
Posted by lucecaboose (Member # 13058) on :
Things are bad for us but worse for others so I will do what I can.
Posted by randibear (Member # 11290) on :
has everyone been assigned? the kids all taken care of?
Posted by Julie2763 (Member # 2841) on :
Looks like all the children have been taken care of. I have one child that I haven't heard from their Green Santa yet, but I have someone ready to take him if I don't hear today.
So, job well done Santa's. It is amazing how many people are willing to help.
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