The Joy of Giving, Part 3
The holidays are a time for reflection, gratefulness, and family. While many families with kids facing serious illness focused on their child’s health, we at the Children’s Cancer Association (CCA) turned our attention to their happiness.
With the help of 53 sponsor groups and 1,353 volunteers, we provided 62 families with presents through our Hope for the Holidays program, presented by Fortis Construction.
Here is just one of their stories, told in their own words.
We Are Not Alone – The Oliver Family
Our family is truly grateful for the amazing Christmas that we shared together. My husband and I felt such relief in knowing our children would be given gifts and we did not feel stressed about how we were going to afford them this year. We had no idea what to expect, but we were overwhelmed with your generosity and kindness.
The tree!
Watching our children unwrap their gifts will be something we will never forget. We wanted to make sure to let you know that our teenage sons were like young kids again as they unwrapped their gifts. We had not seen them so excited in a long time. It seemed as if you all knew what it might be like for them, having a sibling with a life-threatening disease.
We are a single-family income so that I can take care of Lucy’s intensive daily needs and her frequent hospitalizations. Our sons often go without and they never ask for anything. The boys wanted to make sure we said thank you.
Unwrapping Joy
Lucy enjoys one of her gifts.
Lucy was so funny unwrapping her gifts! After she unwrapped her new sheets and pink comforter, she didn’t want to leave her bed the rest of the day! It is exactly what I would have picked for her. She calls her new comforter “Big Pink”. The only time I could get her to come out was when the brothers had their new RC trucks running through my house. Lucy chased them through the house squealing!
Nicole and Tom enjoy their gifts, too.
Tom and I are so thankful for our gifts. I never expected when I typed our wish list up that it would end up under our tree! I also wanted to share how much we all truly love what was picked out for each of us. Each gift was so beautifully wrapped with sweet little tags. My new coat is the nicest coat I have ever owned and it fits perfectly! Tom could not believe how great his new shoes are, he did not know I put that on his wish list!
Lucy and I are breaking in my new yoga mat together. Every time I get it out she says “let’s do this!” Tom’s new backpack is perfect, he wanted it so we could have Lucy’s supplies and extra items for us ready to go for family hikes. The thoughtfulness that went into every step of creating an amazing Christmas for our family brought us to tears and reminded us that we are not alone.
Best Wishes and Many Blessing to each of you,
Nicole, Tom, Elijah, Orion and Lucy Oliver
Thank You
At CCA, we also feel grateful. We’re grateful that so many give each year. Grateful that with the help of our sponsors and donors, we can continue to provide these special moments to families who need it most. Grateful for each and every one of YOU who has taken the time to share in our mission.