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 families that were strapped financially with Christmas for their children. This will be our 5th year of assisting 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, 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. 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 8th. 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. Remember to put something in the subject heading, so I know it has to do with Operation Green Santa/Christmas.
IDEAS FOR THE SHOE BOX - 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
[ 11. November 2006, 04:19 PM: Message edited by: Julie2763 ]
Posts: 494 | From Michigan, USA | Registered: Jul 2002
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posted
Thanks to all that have offered to help so far!!
Green Santa
Posts: 494 | From Michigan, USA | Registered: Jul 2002
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bg2711
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 1865
posted
Hi Julie,
Glad to see you are up and running, if you run into problems don't hesitate to give a yell, if you need more shoppers let me know. Barb
Posts: 1131 | From Ohio | Registered: Nov 2001
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bg2711
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 1865
posted
Hi Julie,
Glad to see you are up and running, if you run into problems don't hesitate to give a yell, if you need more shoppers let me know. Barb
Posts: 1131 | From Ohio | Registered: Nov 2001
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posted
Thank you Barb. I do have one question. Is it okay for me to post a short reply to this post once in awhile to keep it on the first page? I'm not sure what is the correct way to do this.
Green Santa
Posts: 494 | From Michigan, USA | Registered: Jul 2002
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lymeinhell
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 4622
posted
Up to the top!!!
Count me in. Will PM you.
-------------------- Julie _ _ ___ _ _ lymeinhell
Blessed are those who expect nothing, for they shall not be disappointed. Posts: 2258 | From a better place than I was 11 yrs ago | Registered: Sep 2003
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bg2711
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 1865
posted
Julie,
YES YES, have fun with it, post away and get everyone involved in the Holiday Spirit! Good job! Barb
Posts: 1131 | From Ohio | Registered: Nov 2001
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posted
Love this idea! I wasn't around last christmast but cant wait to help. One thought is to ask dr. j's secty to get involved. Maybe some needy children with lyme who we could connect with...
Kim
-------------------- We are spiritual beings on a human journey...
posted
Email sent to humanbeing. If anyone more familiar with Dr. J could contact him about this or let me know how to go about this, I would appreciate it.
Ho Ho Ho
Green Santa
Posts: 494 | From Michigan, USA | Registered: Jul 2002
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posted
Email sent to humanbeing. If anyone more familiar with Dr. J could contact him about this or let me know how to go about this, I would appreciate it.
Ho Ho Ho
Green Santa
Posts: 494 | From Michigan, USA | Registered: Jul 2002
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Tracy9
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7521
posted
Hi, I would like to sponsor a child; you helped a family I worked with last year and this year I'm ready to give back! Thanks!
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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posted
We are still awaiting children, so hang tight if you haven't received one yet.
Ho Ho Ho
Green Santa
Posts: 494 | From Michigan, USA | Registered: Jul 2002
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bg2711
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 1865
posted
Julie, did you get my private message? I sent one, but don't know if it worked, let me know. Barb
Posts: 1131 | From Ohio | Registered: Nov 2001
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posted
Thank you soo much for doing this. This is awesome. My kids are asking me why I am crying. It is great to see all the care and support. I am up. Bring back to the top.
Love & Light
Posts: 188 | From NM | Registered: Feb 2006
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posted
For those Santa's still waiting to help a child, please hang in there. I'm sure they will come!!
Ho ho ho Green Santa Posts: 494 | From Michigan, USA | Registered: Jul 2002
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bg2711
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 1865
posted
TO THE TOP!
Hey folks, don't be bashful if you have fallen on hard times this holiday season, that is what Operation Green Santa is all about, we all know what this disease can do to our families and finances.
Make sure you contact Santa Julie if you are having trouble making Christmas happen this year.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!
Posts: 1131 | From Ohio | Registered: Nov 2001
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posted
Ice skater Claus got her children today to shop for. Hooray!!! Merry Christmas to all!!!!
Posts: 719 | From Delaware | Registered: Jan 2006
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Unfortunately, I can only do it for one or two children, though. But I am more than glad to help with that!
Posts: 712 | From Ottawa, ON, Canada | Registered: Sep 2002
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jif
Posts: 208 | From Santa Fe | Registered: May 2006
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stymielymie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 10044
posted
SANTAS: PLEASE EMAIL ME WITH YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS. MANY PM'S ARE FULL OR PEOPLE DON'T KNOW HOW TO USE OR AREN'T ANSWERING PM'S
SO SEND INFO TO ME CEE CHIEF EXECUTIVE ELF
[email protected] everything will be confidential, unless you were naughty!!!!!lol
Posts: 1820 | From Boone and Southport, NC | Registered: Sep 2006
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posted
pm sent to jif. Just a reminder, my email is [email protected]. If you are volunteering to help a child, please pm or email me with specific information. I will need to know if you want to to do a medium/large $15-$25 present, a shoebox full of goodies (stocking stuffers) or both and for 1 child or more.
Thank you so much. GREEN SANTA Posts: 494 | From Michigan, USA | Registered: Jul 2002
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