Christmas Families 2017
As a part of our Christmas time festivities Corvette Indy voted to help four families this year initially with $500 in gifts for each one. After the Christmas party that was increased to $600 for each after the parties 50/50 and two additional $100 gifts by members. The four families were found by Paul using Adopt-A-Family through his church, with extra thanks for his efforts in following up with each after getting them. After multiple members did the shopping and wrapping the gifts were delivered during the week after the party. A special thanks to Dianna for getting a table tree for each family and to Mel for upping the original motion that then allowed four families to be helped and truly touched by our club's donations. The reports below are from the delivery team for each family.
2017 Christmas Party
2017 Christmas Party
Jones Family - Wylie, Rita, & granddaughters the delivery elves
Our family was the Jones family. Jamie, Alan, Spencer(17) and Braden(13). Thanks to the Albrights, Herders and Jack Houtman who did all our shopping we delivered everything that was on the list. Only the 2 adults were there when we delivered. We had 2 of our granddaughters with us and we were all in a small living room area of a trailer so it was all a bit awkward. We felt that Alan was a bit uncomfortable with the whole thing. I know we overwhelmed him with the tool box set that Jack bought. They were both very appreciative and thanked us numerous times. Rita and I and our girls felt very good about delivering the presents. Taylor who is 8 said when back in the car she felt “nice” about the experience. Wylie & Rita Etscheid
Our family was the Jones family. Jamie, Alan, Spencer(17) and Braden(13). Thanks to the Albrights, Herders and Jack Houtman who did all our shopping we delivered everything that was on the list. Only the 2 adults were there when we delivered. We had 2 of our granddaughters with us and we were all in a small living room area of a trailer so it was all a bit awkward. We felt that Alan was a bit uncomfortable with the whole thing. I know we overwhelmed him with the tool box set that Jack bought. They were both very appreciative and thanked us numerous times. Rita and I and our girls felt very good about delivering the presents. Taylor who is 8 said when back in the car she felt “nice” about the experience. Wylie & Rita Etscheid
|
Vasquez Family - Paul, Londa, & grandchildren
the delivery elves Our family was the Vasquez’s, they consisted of two adult sisters and their children, James M 10, Kaylen F 8, Cindy F 7, and Ashley F 5 months. We delivered all the items they requested plus we added several personal gifts and food items. The whole family was very polite and much appreciative. We took two of our grand children with us and they bonded with the family as well. The adult sisters both had tears in their eyes and couldn’t thank us enough. So happy we got this Blessed opportunity and such a wonderfult return on the investment. Paul & Londa Habecker |
|
Betty Villavecencio-Alejos Family
Rita, Donna D, Donna B, Sherry C & Linda Delivery Elves with Ray and Jimmie along as escorts
We bought all gifts on their list & a special gift for mother, 5 boxes of food, Christmas stockings with treats, tree/ornaments/lights. Our family was a mother, her 18 year old son, her 15 year old daughter and her 3 year old daughter. The mother does not speak English and the son spoke very broken English, but we muddled through. We all shared many hugs, and a Feliz Navidad was exchanged. This family came from Peru, South America very recently. Cesar(the son) told us this and shared that they have no family or friends here. He pointed to his family and said "only us". The 3 year old immediately opened one of her Shopkins packages and with Rays help got the pieces out of that nasty plastic packing. Ray just wanted to stay and play...we had to drag him out to the car to leave. We noticed they have no living room furniture, no computer, no internet, no table lamps. Betty was excited when she learned there was a tree and decorations/lights in that Santa bag!!! She tried to explain that she wanted to keep the rest of the presents for Dec 24th. Upon learning about the tree....she beamed! Something to place the packages around. We brought to tears as the young man tried to tell us how thankful he and his mother were for all that we brought them. He got all chocked up and we hugged again. I placed the Walmart gift card in a Christmas card and handed it to her. She was stunned and showed her son. We left the apartment after taking pictures of us with them and did a CI requirement--we ate at Cracker Barrel on the way home. (Rita could not join us as she was planning to attend the funeral for Al Forey's mom) Upon getting back in our cars to head to lunch we all agreed "we are so blessed and have so much more than any of us need". We sure hope that we gave them "hope" that their lives will be much better. I have kept the information for this family and hope to check on them from time to time to see how they are doing. Thanks for the opportunity to bring some joy to this transplanted family.
Linda White, Donna Driscoll, Donna Bowron, Rita Etscheid, and Sherry Chester
Rita, Donna D, Donna B, Sherry C & Linda Delivery Elves with Ray and Jimmie along as escorts
We bought all gifts on their list & a special gift for mother, 5 boxes of food, Christmas stockings with treats, tree/ornaments/lights. Our family was a mother, her 18 year old son, her 15 year old daughter and her 3 year old daughter. The mother does not speak English and the son spoke very broken English, but we muddled through. We all shared many hugs, and a Feliz Navidad was exchanged. This family came from Peru, South America very recently. Cesar(the son) told us this and shared that they have no family or friends here. He pointed to his family and said "only us". The 3 year old immediately opened one of her Shopkins packages and with Rays help got the pieces out of that nasty plastic packing. Ray just wanted to stay and play...we had to drag him out to the car to leave. We noticed they have no living room furniture, no computer, no internet, no table lamps. Betty was excited when she learned there was a tree and decorations/lights in that Santa bag!!! She tried to explain that she wanted to keep the rest of the presents for Dec 24th. Upon learning about the tree....she beamed! Something to place the packages around. We brought to tears as the young man tried to tell us how thankful he and his mother were for all that we brought them. He got all chocked up and we hugged again. I placed the Walmart gift card in a Christmas card and handed it to her. She was stunned and showed her son. We left the apartment after taking pictures of us with them and did a CI requirement--we ate at Cracker Barrel on the way home. (Rita could not join us as she was planning to attend the funeral for Al Forey's mom) Upon getting back in our cars to head to lunch we all agreed "we are so blessed and have so much more than any of us need". We sure hope that we gave them "hope" that their lives will be much better. I have kept the information for this family and hope to check on them from time to time to see how they are doing. Thanks for the opportunity to bring some joy to this transplanted family.
Linda White, Donna Driscoll, Donna Bowron, Rita Etscheid, and Sherry Chester
The Sindhu Family - Bill & Erika Delivery Elves
With the help of the Greenwalts & Shavers, Bill & Erika had a number of presents along with gift cards for the Sindhu family of 5 which are the two parents Inosent & Naseem along with Simiran 17, Sameer 15, & Dawood 11. They are immigrating from Pakistan, their birth country, after having worked in Saudi Arabia over the past 20 years. They are a very Christian family and are moving here looking for religious freedom after having headed an underground church in Saudi Arabia which does not recognize religious freedom. Going during the mid day allowed us to visit with the parents and hear their story and how they are assimilating into the US. They arrived here at the beginning of August which allowed the children to start in the Fisher school system at the beginning of the school year. All three are doing very well, with their daughter, Simiran, being recognized as the student of the month in November. Inosent & Naseem currently are not allowed to work as they are still in the immigration waiting period, but want to be employed as soon as the waiting time is over. We spent over an hour and a half with them having tea and refreshments while we learned more about their lives, along with the fact that he didn't know what a Corvette was. Erika quickly showed him a picture of Maxx with a bit of an explanation. During this time we learned that their middle son, Sameer, has a health issue that was not found by doctors until moving here. We also discovered that their immigration attorney is our neighbor. What a very small world we live in. Later in the evening Erika got a picture texted to her along with a thank you phone call as they had opened their gifts and the three children were modeling their boots, which fit! It was a great experience that we would certainly do another year. Bill & Erika Lapham
With the help of the Greenwalts & Shavers, Bill & Erika had a number of presents along with gift cards for the Sindhu family of 5 which are the two parents Inosent & Naseem along with Simiran 17, Sameer 15, & Dawood 11. They are immigrating from Pakistan, their birth country, after having worked in Saudi Arabia over the past 20 years. They are a very Christian family and are moving here looking for religious freedom after having headed an underground church in Saudi Arabia which does not recognize religious freedom. Going during the mid day allowed us to visit with the parents and hear their story and how they are assimilating into the US. They arrived here at the beginning of August which allowed the children to start in the Fisher school system at the beginning of the school year. All three are doing very well, with their daughter, Simiran, being recognized as the student of the month in November. Inosent & Naseem currently are not allowed to work as they are still in the immigration waiting period, but want to be employed as soon as the waiting time is over. We spent over an hour and a half with them having tea and refreshments while we learned more about their lives, along with the fact that he didn't know what a Corvette was. Erika quickly showed him a picture of Maxx with a bit of an explanation. During this time we learned that their middle son, Sameer, has a health issue that was not found by doctors until moving here. We also discovered that their immigration attorney is our neighbor. What a very small world we live in. Later in the evening Erika got a picture texted to her along with a thank you phone call as they had opened their gifts and the three children were modeling their boots, which fit! It was a great experience that we would certainly do another year. Bill & Erika Lapham
