posted
Hello everyone! 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 6th year of assisting LymeNet families so they can enjoy the holidays and have presents under the tree for their kids.
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
Posts: 494 | From Michigan, USA | Registered: Jul 2002
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posted
Oh wow!!! I just happened to look up at the top and see this!!
yippeeeeee!!!!!
Sign me up!!
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96223 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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Tracy9
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7521
posted
Just my two cents....
I think if at all possible it is a nice gesture to include something for the parents as well. There are so many programs out there around Christmas, but they are all for the children. Parents never seem to get anything!!! Often they need things more than the children.
I just wanted to suggest if it is within your means, to include a gift certificate, candle, gloves, photo album, book, relaxtion CD, bath and beauty products, slipper socks, bathrobe, inspirational book, Christmas ornament, towel set....well, I could go on and on, as a shopaholic myself....
Last year I sent gifts for Mom and Dad and received response that their kids were so happy that the parents had gifts...so I just wanted to throw that out there!!!!
13 years Lyme & Co.; Small Fiber Neuropathy; Myasthenia Gravis, Adrenal Insufficiency. On chemo for 2 1/2 years as experimental treatment for MG. Posts: 4480 | From Northeastern Connecticut | Registered: Jun 2005
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map1131
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 2022
posted
Green Santa, my email to you from sent back because it could not be delivered within 3 hrs. Any idea what that means????? I want to be a Santa.
Pam
-------------------- "Never, never, never, never, never give up" Winston Churchill Posts: 6478 | From Louisville, Ky | Registered: Jan 2002
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quote:Originally posted by Tracy9: Just my two cents.... I think if at all possible it is a nice gesture to include something for the parents as well. There are so many programs out there around Christmas, but they are all for the children. Parents never seem to get anything!!! Often they need things more than the children.
Why don't you get together with Geneal? She was thinking that as well.
There are plenty of people who could use a gift and maybe they are single or don't have children.
Also...as you are suggesting, the parents of the children we help could probably use a nice gift too!!
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96223 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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I know that we did help some adults last year. If you are interested in helping an adult, just let me know when you IM or email me.
Thanks again everyone.
Ho Ho Ho Green Santa
Posts: 494 | From Michigan, USA | Registered: Jul 2002
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map1131
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 2022
posted
Julie, I'm so excited about my 15 yr old female I get to Christmas shop for.
Thanks again for taking on this task and giving others a chance to give.
Pam
-------------------- "Never, never, never, never, never give up" Winston Churchill Posts: 6478 | From Louisville, Ky | Registered: Jan 2002
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posted
I'm glad you are happy with your Green Santa Child!! Thank you and all other Green Santas for your big hearts and helping people in need.
Ho Ho Ho
Posts: 494 | From Michigan, USA | Registered: Jul 2002
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Cobweb
Unregistered
posted
I would just like to say our family participated in this project last Christmas-as recipients.
It was truly heartwarming and appreciated. I contemplated signing up again this year but I feel so fortunate just to be alive and able to feel the spirit of Christmas this year I do not want for anything more.
We are no better off financially, but I feel richer than ever.
Ho HO HO
Posts: 494 | From Michigan, USA | Registered: Jul 2002
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map1131
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 2022
posted
Julie, what date you do suggest we have the Santa gifts mailed to the parents by? I'm not used to mailing packages during the holidays, so I'm thought it might be good to have a date mailed by for all.
Or did I miss info on that?
Pam
-------------------- "Never, never, never, never, never give up" Winston Churchill Posts: 6478 | From Louisville, Ky | Registered: Jan 2002
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posted
Hi, Pam. Thanks for the reminder. I was actually planning on emailing the mods tomorrow and see if they would stick the shipping info at the top.
It would be nice if all packages could be shipped out by December 14th.
I do not recommend Parcel Post as a guaranteed shipping method during the holidays. There are many other ways to ship, USPS Priority Mail or First Class Mail, FedEx, or UPS.
It is possible to ship after this date, but you would have to check with the specific websites to find out when delivery would be.
Thanks again to all who have helped. We still have time to add you to the list. Just contact me at [email protected].
HO HO HO Julie
Posts: 494 | From Michigan, USA | Registered: Jul 2002
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