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 many years' past, we have helped our LymeNet families that were strapped financially with Christmas for their children. This will be our 10th 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 past years! The spirit of Christmas was certainly in the air on Lymenet. We had many, many Green 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. 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. 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 first name, age, male or female, favorite color, hobbies, interests, and clothing sizes. 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. 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. Unless your Green Santa wants to remain anonymous, the return address will be on the packages you receive. A small note of thanks to our Green 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 10th. 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 Green Santas - Each year we give each child one large to medium size gift as well as a shoe-box filled with goodies. 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 � dependent upon age of child/children 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, 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/children.
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, 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.
Green Santas you can go ahead and e-mail me. Let me know if you prefer to fill a shoe-box, a medium/large present, or both and if you would like 1 child or more. REMEMBER � Don�t wrap your gifts. Make sure to put your return address on the boxes, unless you would like to remain anonymous.
When I have a parent with a child/children request, I will contact you and give you a child/children to buy for. After you shop and have sent the package, please let me know it was shipped, so I can mark the child/children 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
This sounds like a lot of fun and such a good cause - we are a family here and prezzies for kids are so fun to shop for. Can't wait. I already sent you a message to sign up!
Posts: 22 | From North Carolina | Registered: Oct 2011
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-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96239 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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sammy
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 13952
posted
Thank you to everyone involved in Operation Green Santa!
We are blessed to have such a kind and giving group of people here on LN. It's wonderful to be able to see that in action here during Christmas.
Your generosity makes my heart happy. I look forward to the day when I will be able to join with you all in giving. Until then, i will join with you in spirit and pray for all the families in need.
Happy Holidays LymeNet friends Posts: 5237 | From here | Registered: Nov 2007
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posted
Please remember that the cut-off date for requesting a Green Santa is December 10th Posts: 494 | From Michigan, USA | Registered: Jul 2002
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